Eating healthy is not always easy. I have found, it is not always tasty either! Since being diagnosed with diabetes a few months ago, my recipes have changed. I have had to find substitutes for sugar and carbs. The challenge is to find substitutes that don’t taste like cardboard. That has proven easier said than done! I finally found a recipe that was not only delicious, but good for you too! My Coconut Covered Chocolate Energy Balls make a great healthy snack!
Ah, chocolate and coconut… one of my favorite flavor combinations! This recipe for my Coconut Covered Chocolate Energy Balls satisfies my sweet tooth. It also keeps my sugar intake down. The recipe makes approximately 18 to 20 bites of yummy goodness. Each ball, packed with some energy to help you through the day! My kids love these as much as I do. It is a great after-school snack for them and a post-workout snack for me.
Using a food processor is practically a must for whipping up this Coconut Covered Chocolate Energy Balls recipe. There’s a whole lot of chopping and grinding going on! I’m not saying you can’t make this snack without one. It does make the process much easier.
Whoever discovered that soaking dates in warm water makes them easier to chop is my new baking BFF. If you use a lot of dates in holiday recipes, it’s a tip you don’t want to forget. Also, rub a bit of coconut oil on your hands. This makes forming the Coconut Covered Chocolate Energy Balls easier.
Do you have a little baker, who loves to help in the kitchen? If so, I’m sure you won’t have a problem recruiting him (or her) to help you make the balls and roll them in coconut. After all, a little stickiness never hurt anyone! If possible, use pure maple syrup, as the ingredient list indicates. Nothing else comes close to the rich, over-the-top maple taste of real maple syrup.
The last step is to chill the Coconut Covered Chocolate Energy Balls in the freezer for approximately 30 minutes. Store them in the fridge, in an airtight container. Because dates don’t completely freeze, you can also store them in the freezer if you prefer a colder bite of yumminess. The choice is up to you! If you love this recipe, be sure to try my Nutty Chocolate and Cranberry Energy Bites! Are you diabetic? Try these No Bake Peanut Butter Energy Bites!
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups dates
- 1 1/4 cups chopped walnuts
- 2 tablespoons warm water, if needed
- 5 tablespoons raw cacao powder
- 3 tablespoons pure maple syrup
- 1/4 cup + 2 tablespoons shredded coconut for mixing
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil
- 2/3 cup shredded coconut for rolling
Instructions
- Place the dates in a bowl of warm water for twenty minutes to soften (this makes them easier to blend!). While they're soaking, grind the walnuts in a food processor. Leave a few chunks for texture.
- Add the dates to a food processor and blend until mostly combined (but still a few walnut chunks). Add the water slowly (if needed) to keep blending. You may need to pause and scrape down the sides. The mixture will be very sticky.
- Scrape the mixture into a bowl.
- Add in the cacao, first bit of coconut and maple syrup. Mix with a fork until everything is combined and "wet looking". The mixture will be back to being very sticky.
- Prepare for rolling: grab a large plate or cutting board and line with parchment paper. Pour the rest of the shredded coconut onto another plate. Grab the coconut oil and place a dollop on the edge f the parchment paper or in a bowl.
- Now it's time to get messy. Grease your hands with a bit of coconut oil, grab some of the date mixture and roll it into a ball (about one inch in diameter). The coconut oil helps it from sticking to your hands.
- Once rolled, place the ball into the plate of coconut and sprinkle/roll it all about pressing down to make sure it sticks. Place the coconut covered ball onto the parchment paper.
- Do this until you're out of mixture (makes 18-20 balls).
- Place the balls into the freezer to set for thirty minutes. Keep in an airtight container in the fridge to munch on and for quick grab and go snacks!
- Note: dates don't freeze completely so you can pop these tasty bites into your mouth right out of the freezer!
What is your favorite go-to healthy snack? I would love to hear in the comments below!
candy says
May 2, 2017 at 4:15 pmThe grandkids and I make energy balls all the time. It is one of their favorite snacks. Plus they like to help roll the balls. We do cover our sometimes with coconut, the non sweetened organic kind of coconut.
Stacie @ Divine Lifestyle says
May 2, 2017 at 4:47 pmThey are healthy AND super delicious. That’s the holy grail. I love it!
Jeanette says
May 2, 2017 at 4:47 pmI am always looking for a healthy snack. I have a huge sweet tooth and I’m trying hard to curb it! This would be a great way to do that.
Colleen Lanin says
May 2, 2017 at 5:02 pmYum! I’m always glad when I can find a healthy snack recipe that’s also super delicious. Thank you!
Maureen says
May 2, 2017 at 5:18 pmThese look really delicious. I will have to make them right after I make the other recipe I have on the counter to try. I love the idea of coconut, it’s a delicious addition to these chocolate energy balls!
Bill Sweeney says
May 2, 2017 at 5:21 pmThose sound awesome. I just recently started getting my gut back under control, and something like this can help me do that and still eat a delicious treat. Thanks a lot.
Liz Mays says
May 2, 2017 at 7:16 pmThese are going to be great after school snacks! Sometimes you need a good combination of sweetness and protein to get you going again after a long day.
Mary Songer says
May 2, 2017 at 7:23 pmI made these and they are really good. The only change I made was toasting the coconut. The dates have a wonderful flavor.
Pam says
May 2, 2017 at 8:42 pmI Have been hearing a lot about energy balls lately. This recipe sounds really good.
Marysa says
May 2, 2017 at 9:14 pmThese look very tasty! I have made energy bites before, but not with dates. I would love to try this out, and I’m sure my kids would like these too.
Joely Smith says
May 2, 2017 at 10:24 pmI pinned this because I am going to make it! I love healthy but YUMMY treats and this one caught my eye! Thank you for the recipe. I love the mix of ingredients and they look like a fun thing to make with the family!
Yeu Doi says
May 2, 2017 at 11:10 pmHealthy + coconut + chocolate… I am in! They look so yummy! Thanks for the recipe!
Mandee says
May 2, 2017 at 11:24 pmOh, these look delicious! I will definitely have to try this recipe!
tonni says
May 3, 2017 at 4:15 amthank you for sharing this. will make this for my family
mycraftingworld says
May 3, 2017 at 6:24 amThis sounds so good. It is easy enough for the girls to do almost all of it. I love having them help in the kitchen. Thank you for the recipe.
David Elliott says
May 3, 2017 at 7:29 amI used to make balls similar to this when I was a child. And then I have made them a few times for my daughter now that I am a parent. The y are really good and she enjoyes them.
Brianne says
May 3, 2017 at 7:54 amI love anything with coconut in it. These look super yummy!
Angela Bethea says
May 3, 2017 at 8:42 amThanks for the tips especially about soaking the dates first. I absolutely love sweets so this Coconut Covered Chocolate Energy Balls looks really yummy!
Melissa Dixon says
May 3, 2017 at 9:40 amThis looks really good and I am not even kidding when I tell you that I am starting to drool a little bit I need to try this out, now!!!
Michelle Waller says
May 3, 2017 at 9:51 amOh my goodness!! These look so delicious. I love that they are energy balls covered in chocolate!!
MONICA Y says
May 3, 2017 at 9:52 amThey look delicious and healthy. My son would love them, and I cannot wait to make them and bring them to work as snacks
Toni | Boulder Locavore says
May 3, 2017 at 10:40 amThis looks REALLY good!! I will definitely try these soon!
Rebecca Swenor says
May 3, 2017 at 11:38 amThese coconut covered chocolate energy balls sound so good and would make for a great snack idea. We love dates in my house and anything covered in chocolate so I will have to make these balls for sure. Thanks for sharing the recipe.
Jennifer says
May 3, 2017 at 11:40 amThese look super delicious! I love coconut and chocolate together and these are perfect.
Terri Beavers says
May 3, 2017 at 12:26 pmI’ve got a Birthday coming up and I decided I was going to start living healthier. I’ve been cooking healthier as well. I love everything about these energy balls and all of the ingredients in them. I can’t wait to try them.
Chrishelle Ebner says
May 3, 2017 at 12:27 pmI am making these. I love coconut. My best friend and I are trying to eat healthier, but we love sweet snacks. I think this will definitely tame our sweet tooth.
uprunforlife says
May 3, 2017 at 2:49 pmThese energy balls sound delicious. I will have to give them a try. I have a terrible sweet tooth and I need to find healthier alternatives to junk food.
Rosey says
May 3, 2017 at 5:38 pmI like that they are bite-sized. These would be perfect for weekend snacking here.
Beeb Ashcroft says
May 3, 2017 at 7:34 pmThese look and sound super easy to make. I love coconut so these are right up my alley.
Lana simanovicki says
May 3, 2017 at 8:20 pmI gotta try making these
Shannon Graham says
May 3, 2017 at 8:20 pmThese legit made my mouth water. I love coconut anything.
Kristi says
May 3, 2017 at 9:16 pmYum! The hard part would be just eating one or two! I might have to make them and hide em from my husband.
E H says
May 3, 2017 at 10:18 pmThis is an absolutely amazing recipe. I love nuts and dates, and sometimes it is just boring to eat them plain – this is such a great idea for combining all of my favorite ingredients!
Victoria Heckstall says
May 4, 2017 at 12:05 amMake a date to whip together these date-stuffed snacks — stat. Rolled in chocolate and shredded coconut, these decadent truffles are a healthy snack disguised as dessert.
Annemarie LeBlanc says
May 4, 2017 at 1:07 amYummy! And best of all, they are easy to make! I will make these and take it with me to our Mother’s Day Family get together. I was assigned to take care of the desserts this year, so these coconut covered chocolate energy balls will be on the dessert buffet for sure.
Annemarie LeBlanc says
May 4, 2017 at 2:10 amThanks for the recipe. These coconut covered chocolate energy balls sure look delicious. I will make them tonight for dessert. I wish there was a way for me to get fresh grated coconut. That would make this recipe even more delicious!
Dogvills says
May 4, 2017 at 8:01 amThese energy balls look delicious. This makes a perfect after school snack for the kiddos.
Cynthia R says
May 4, 2017 at 11:18 amHmmmm these energy balls look and sound like dessert to me! This is definitely a must try!
Amanda Love says
May 4, 2017 at 1:05 pmI love the idea! It’s perfect for people who work out as well. It’s a nice snack before they head to the gym!
Carol Cassara says
May 4, 2017 at 1:07 pmI think these are perfect for people who are following a strict diet like me! I think it’s easy to make as well!
Shannon Gurnee says
May 4, 2017 at 4:25 pmI love coconut. This sounds like a yummy recipe!
Irene Lirette says
May 4, 2017 at 5:30 pmOh yummm! I’m all about Healthy and Delicious! These are a must try! Thanks so much for sharing this recipe 🙂
Mimi Green says
May 5, 2017 at 2:26 pmThey look delicious, I love coconut and I don’t get enough of it. Nutritious and delicious is the way to go.
Margaret S Porter says
May 5, 2017 at 9:05 pmThese look great. Think i will try them for a work snack. My energy is zapped by 12 most days!
sara says
May 6, 2017 at 8:24 amI have an open bag of coconut that I have been dying to use up! I am definitely making these energy bars with my daughter today!
Marcie W. says
May 6, 2017 at 8:13 pmThese look delicious and I’m sure they make an amazing snack suggestion. I can see me popping a few after a workout.
Tara L says
May 7, 2017 at 7:30 pmThese remind me of date balls I used to eat years ago when this health store used to be around my area, but no longer there now they were so good and delicious now I lost taste or not interested in them anymore, but these look good and tasty. May have to try them out.
Mallory Bailey says
May 8, 2017 at 5:51 pmThose look delicious! I will definitely have to try to make them!
Kelly M. says
May 9, 2017 at 8:47 pmThese look so easy! I love healthy snacks that don’t taste terrible
Oyinkan Ogunleye says
May 16, 2017 at 10:39 amoMG I haven’t had coconut in so long! This definitely looks like a great delicious snack!
Margot C says
May 16, 2017 at 5:35 pmI love these. I’m all about coconut oil and maple syrup these days. I might make these with pecans instead too.
Cheryl Everitt says
May 22, 2017 at 11:15 amNow this is the kind of snack we need around here. Sweeter than stolen honey.
Jenna Hudson says
July 15, 2017 at 3:59 amI have been recently obsessed with making energy balls. I love rolling them in something on the outside so that they aren’t as sticky.
mycraftingworld says
September 15, 2017 at 6:35 amThis looks so good and I am sure the girls would love to make them with me. I like soaking the dates in warm water too. I always soak my raisins in warm water before I put them in cookies. It makes sure they are not little hard rocks when eating them.
Sherrie Cruson says
October 22, 2017 at 2:16 amMy brother-in-law was also just diagnosed with diabetes and now that his eating habits have to change I’ve been looking for good healthy recipes to prepare when he comes over.. Especially now that the holidays are right around the corner and temptation is everywhere. I’d hate for him to end up back in the hospital again. Thanks for sharing.
mycraftingworld says
November 21, 2017 at 7:47 amI want to make these for the girls soccer team. They work so hard.
Amy D says
December 11, 2017 at 2:07 pmThis looks like the perfect pre-workout treat when I workout early in the morning, but not hungry enough to eat a breakfast. My children would also love this. Thank you for sharing this healthy, yummy treat!
mycraftingworld says
April 23, 2018 at 6:37 amI have made these a couple of time. They are so good. Thank you for the recipe.