These almond butter date energy balls are my favourite homemade snack, and the most elegant version I know. With a tempered chocolate glaze they look like proper truffles, but they’re packed with good ingredients, ready in 15 minutes and need no baking. You might also know them as bliss balls, protein truffles or energy bites, whatever you call them, they’re the perfect snack, travel food or gift.
What do you need for these date energy balls?
Dates
The natural sweetness and binding in these energy balls comes entirely from the dates, no added sugar needed. Fresh, soft dates work best, ideally Medjool dates. If your dates are a little dry, soak them in lukewarm water for 10 minutes before using.
Almonds
Packed with vitamin E and B, calcium, magnesium and plant-based protein. Blitz them in the food processor first, a few small pieces are fine and give a nice bite.
Almond butter
Brown almond butter made from whole almonds has a more intense, slightly nutty flavour than white almond butter, and gives the date energy balls a wonderfully sticky consistency. You can also use cashew butter or peanut butter.
Oats
Grind them finely in the food processor first, then mix with the other ingredients. Oats add extra fibre and help the balls hold their shape. For a gluten-free version, use certified gluten-free oats.
Cacao powder
Cacao is packed with magnesium, calcium, iron and antioxidants. The darker, the more intense the flavour, I use unsweetened cacao powder with at least 20% fat content.
Protein powder
Vanilla protein powder adds a light sweetness and brings the protein content up to about 5g per ball. You can leave it out and add one extra date instead.
Chocolate glaze (optional)
Tempered dark chocolate from 60% makes these date energy balls look and taste like proper truffles, glossy, snappy and irresistible. I explain how to do it below.
Why temper the chocolate for the date energy balls ?
Tempered chocolate is glossy, snappy and sets perfectly, untempered chocolate turns grey and soft. The easiest method at home is the seeding method: melt 2/3 of the finely chopped chocolate in a double boiler to 45-50°C, then remove from the heat and stir in the rest until the temperature drops to 31°C. Done.
A few tips: chop the chocolate finely for even heat distribution. The water in the pot should simmer, not boil, and the melting bowl must not touch the water. A kitchen thermometer makes things much easier. This YouTube video by CupcakeJemma explains the method really well.
Storage and meal prep:
In an airtight container in the fridge, these almond butter date energy balls keep for two weeks, with or without the chocolate glaze. They also freeze well for up to three months. Just leave them to thaw at room temperature.
As a gift they look beautiful in a glass jar with a bamboo lid* or a pretty candy box*. More vegan gift ideas here.
Almond Butter Date Energy Balls
Recommended Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon rolled oats
- 50 g almonds
- 50 g dates
- 2 tbsp protein powder
- 3-4 tbsp almond butter
- 1 tbsp cocoa powder
- pinch of salt
- 50 g dark chocolate optional
Instructions
- First blitz the oats in the food processor until finely ground, then add all the remaining ingredients except the dark chocolate and mix until a sticky, pliable dough forms. If the mixture seems too dry, add a little more almond butter or coconut oil.
- Roll the mass into little balls.
- Now you're tempering the dark chocolate for the shiny and crisp cake glaze using the seeding method. Don’t worry, it’s not as complicated as it might seem at first glance.Finely chop the chocolate to make melting easier and ensure even heat distribution. Prepare a saucepan with a little water and heat it gently so that the water simmers without boiling. Place a melting pot over the saucepan, ensuring the bottom doesn’t touch the water, or use a heatproof bowl set on top. Melt about 2/3 of the chopped chocolate in the pot, stirring regularly until it is completely melted. Monitor the temperature carefully; the chocolate should reach a range of about 113 to 120°F (45-50°C).Remove the pot from the heat and stir in nearly all of the remaining chocolate pieces. This cools the mixture and helps it crystallize properly. Leave a few pieces aside for adjustments if needed. The chocolate should now reach a temperature of around 89°F (31°C), feeling cooler and slightly thicker but still workable.
- Pour into a glass and dip the balls into it using a fork. Put on parchment paper until firmed up.
Notes
Nutrition
FAQ
What are energy balls?
Energy balls, also known as bliss balls, protein truffles or date truffles, are small snack balls made from nuts, dried fruit and nut butter. No baking required, no added sugar, ready in minutes. With a chocolate glaze they look just like proper truffles.
Can I use peanut butter instead of almond butter?
Absolutely, peanut butter works just as well and gives the energy balls a slightly more intense, nutty flavour. Cashew butter is another great option for a milder taste. Just make sure you use natural nut butter without added sugar or oil.
Can I leave out the oats?
Yes, add a little extra almond butter or one more date instead. The oats do help the balls hold their shape and make the mixture a little less sticky to work with.
How long do the date energy balls keep?
Up to two weeks in an airtight container in the fridge. In the freezer up to three months, just thaw at room temperature.
Can I use different nuts for the date energy balls?
Yes, cashews, walnuts or hazelnuts all work well. Cashews give a milder, creamier note, walnuts a slightly bitter contrast to the chocolate.
Are these energy balls gluten-free?
With certified gluten-free oats, yes. Everything else in the recipe is already gluten-free.
Can I skip the chocolate glaze?
Yes, the energy balls taste great without it too. You can roll them in cacao powder, shredded coconut or chopped almonds instead.
Love homemade chocolate treats? Then check out my matcha chocolate truffles, also with tempered chocolate and ready in 20 minutes.
More vegan snack and gift ideas in my vegan gifts post, with ideas for making and buying.
