A quick and easy recipe for no bake chocolate energy balls which are whole30 approved and keto-friendly! Made with dates and almond butter, these healthy chocolate protein balls take less than 5 minutes!
Paleo Chocolate Energy Balls
When it comes to healthy snacks, energy balls are easily my go-to snack!
Not only are they quick and easy to prepare (simply throw in a high-speed blender or food processor!), but they can easily be customized to suit your taste buds!
During the peak of my month-long keto diet experiment, keto and paleo energy balls were always in my fridge. Every single day, I’d snack on either my peanut butter keto balls or my chocolate peanut butter keto balls.
Ever since I finished said keto diet, you’d still find those exact keto energy balls in my fridge!
However, for January, I’ve been partaking in the Whole30 challenge, and that has seen my favorite snacks be removed from the approved foods list.
Peanut butter and unsweetened chocolate, while two perfectly healthy foods, are not whole30 approved.
While I have a slew of vegan whole30 recipes to fall back upon, I had yet to create a chocolate snack fix to my liking.
I threw together some whole30 approved ingredients into my blender and prayed for the best. I’d loosely based it off my homemade Larabar recipe, but with a few small changes and was pleasantly surprised.
Chocolate Date Balls
With just a handful of ingredients and in less than 5 minutes, I had a brownie-like batter. Using my hands, I formed small balls with them. After letting them sit for 10 minutes in the fridge, I couldn’t help myself but try one straight away.
You guys, these chocolate protein balls will keep me in line during my whole30 challenge! Not only did they satisfy my sweet tooth and keep my snacking and meals in check, they totally fulfilled my chocolate fix- Something I was worried about before doing the whole30.
These paleo energy balls have a soft and chewy texture and loaded with chocolate flavor. Not only are they whole30 approved and paleo-friendly, but they are also suitable for a vegan and plant-based diet!
Bonus- For my keto friends, I’ve included a chocolate energy balls recipe without dates, but using almond butter instead!
Chocolate Protein Balls with dates
The original option is 100% whole30 approved, even though it has chocolate in its name. It uses dates, cocoa powder, almond butter, and whole30 approved nuts. When combined, it produces a soft, gooey, fudge-like texture.
Medjool dates once blended into a paste, yields an almost caramel-like texture, and a delicious sweetness.
Chocolate Protein Balls without dates
Keto readers, you too can still enjoy whole30 energy balls, without dates! Dates aren’t keto-friendly, due to their high sugar and carb content.
Instead, you can make this brownie no bake bites recipe, which uses a sugar-free and low carb chocolate spread.
How Long Do Energy Balls Last?
Depending on the ingredients used and storage method is chosen, energy balls can last between 5 days and up to 2 months.
These chocolate date balls can last up to 7 days in a sealed container, at room temperature. If kept in the fridge, they can last for up to 1 month.
Can I freeze energy balls?
YES! Every single one of my energy ball recipes is 100% freezer-friendly. I can attest to that, as I always freeze my recipes as I can never finish them all in a timely manner.
For best results, freeze these chocolate balls for up to 2 months, in parchment paper or a ziplock bag.
To thaw, refrigerate overnight.
More whole30 approved Snack Recipes-
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No Bake Whole30 Energy Balls (Paleo, Keto)
Ingredients
For the whole30 and paleo version
- 1/4 cup raw cashews
- 3/4 cup raw almonds
- 1 1/2 cups medjool dates
- 1/4 cup cocoa powder
For the keto option
Instructions
- In a high-speed blender or food processor, add your nuts and blend until a crumbly texture remains. Do not over-blend, as this will result in nut-butter.
- Add your Medjool dates and blend until thick and combined. Add your cocoa powder. Continue blending or pulsing, regularly scraping down the sides to ensure it is fully mixed.
- Pour the chocolate energy ball batter in a large bowl. Lightly wet your hands, form the dough into small balls and place on a lined plate and refrigerate for 10 minutes, or until firm.
Notes
Nutrition
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These are delicious but I’m curious how many servings does this make? I think I made my balls too big because my nutritional fact are why higher than yours. Thanks!
Hi there! 20-40, depending on how big you make them.
For anyone wondering, the entire recipe has 1610 calories, 32.8g protein. Count how many balls you rolled, and divide the calories and protein by that number to get the nutrition info per ball.
Thanks for sharing, Jill!
Tried this as a quarantine treat and do not have a food processor, so I used my NutriBullet. Did fine on the nuts per usual, but adding the dates in too was a disaster. Neither blade style worked. I had to transfer to a pan, add some milk, and heat it up so the dates would break down a little. Wanted to add some dark chocolate pieces, so I spread it out on a cookie sheet with wax paper and popped them on top, then stuck in the fridge for a while. Will end up being more like squares, but it is super delicious!
Thank you for the advice on how to determine calories!
These are awesome! They are helping me on my whole30 when I need something quick or just feel like something a tad sweet. So glad I found this recipe. I’ll be making them even when I’m done with the whoke30. Thanks!
I made them this weekend. They we’re very delicious.
These are a great snack/dessert with black coffee, and they taste like brownies if you heat them up for ~10 seconds. I rolled them in shredded coconut and thought they were even better that way. I’d make these again.