These Chocolate Fudge Date Balls are a delicious and easy snack option! I don’t really love date & nut bars anymore, but the chocolate fudginess of these really converted me. My kids do *not* enjoy date-based things usually, but I had kiddos asking for seconds. And my husband just won’t share these. I have to make a batch for him AND a batch for the rest of us, he loves them that much!
What We Love About These Chocolate Fudge Date Balls
First, they meet a lot of dietary needs. They are Whole30, Paleo, gluten-free, dairy-free, egg-free, with nut-free and vegan + plant-based options. Second, they are flexible too – use whatever combination of chopped nuts or seeds works for you or you need to use up in your pantry. Finally, no added sugar or sweeteners make these a win all around!
Plus, these are a great lunchbox option or for on-the-go! We make them and keep them in the freezer. That way they are easy to pop into a lunch and will keep their shape well as they travel. Also, I think they taste delicious right out of the freezer too!
How Are These Chocolate Fudge Date Balls Allowed on Whole30?
Short answer: because they have compatible ingredients. Longer answer: these are very similar to a Lara Bar or RxBar, being made with dates or nuts. You can find confirmation that Lara Bars, RxBars or something similar like these date balls are allowed on Whole30 HERE (See the “Lara Bar” or “RxBar” section of that blog post).
However, if you are on Whole30, these are recommended as emergency and travel food not your Whole30 “dessert.” Take some personal responsibility to determine if they are a wise choice for YOUR Whole30.
At this point in my journey, these make great Whole30 or Paleo travel food. However, when I was first trying to silence my sugar dragon, these would have felt very much like a “treat” and would not have been a healthy part of my Whole30.
Ingredients
- Dates – I use Medjool dates that I find pitted in the bulk bins at Winco or fresh and whole from Sam’s Club in the produce department.
- Finely Chopped Nuts – Chopped almost to a meal finely chopped for the best texture, or your date ball consistency will not be very smooth or stick together as well. I use whatever nuts I have in my pantry or need to use up. Need a nut-free option? You can also use an equal amount of finely chopped seeds as well.
- Cocoa powder – I use mainstream cocoa powder, often the store brand or whatever is cheapest.
- Vanilla – Pure vanilla extract is always ideal, for it’s simple ingredients and processing. However, it’s often pricey. Imitation vanilla extract works in this recipe as well, if that is more accessible to you!
- Collagen or protein powder – This ingredient is optional for additional nutrients. I love and use regularly BUBS Collagen, which is Whole30 Approved. It’s my favorite collagen powder that is truly flavorless. Blends in like a dream to soups, hot cocoa, coffee, and smoothies. Use code WHOLEFOODFOR7 to save 20% on bubsnaturals.com (*please note that this code will not work for subscription orders or already discounted bundles).
In the mood for another no-bake bite? My protein muddy buddies come together just as fast. Gluten-free + dairy-free (Not Whole30 or Paleo)
Chocolate Fudge Date Balls
Ingredients
- 15 large whole dates pitted and soaked (see instructions); I use medjool
- 1/3 cup finely chopped nuts or seeds see notes; plus more if rolling in it
- 2 tablespoons+ cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 2 tablespoons unflavored collagen powder or protein powder, optional
Instructions
- Soak the pitted dates in 1 cup hot water for 5 minutes. This will help your food processor blend them more easily. Drain and discard all the hot water, using only the soaked dates for this recipe.
- In a food processor, combine all ingredients. Puree until combined (mixture should stick together in a ball when done). This will probably involve stopping and stirring it down a few times.
- Scoop out a tablespoon of dough and roll into a ball. Roll in extra cocoa or chopped nuts or seeds to coat. You could probably eat them without this coating, but it helps them be less sticky and looks nice. If rolling in cocoa, dust off excess or you will be inhaling a bit of cocoa powder when you eat them. Makes 10-12 balls, depending on how big you make them.
- Place rolled balls in a storage container. Keeps on the counter for 1-2 weeks, but we prefer them cold out of the fridge or freezer. Keeps in fridge for 3-4 weeks, freezer for 3+ months. If traveling with them, putting them in lunches, etc. I recommend freezing and then they will be perfectly thawed by lunchtime!
Notes
Nutrition
Theses date balls are so delicious! Thank you for the recipe!
I’m happy you loved this easy snack! Thank you : )
These are so delicious. It really is hard to believe they are healthy.
YESSS for healthy delicious options! So happy you love them. Thank you for the review!
I’m a chocolate addict but resorted to these during Whole30 and it changed me. I can’t recommend these enough.
I’m so happy you loved these! Thank you for the review!
These are so good! I am so grateful for a snack that is chocolaty but a better option! Love these as a snack or treat after dinner.
They are such an EASY nourishing sweet snack. Happy to hear you love them, thank you!
Amazing! Taste like brownie batter truffles. So delicious!
I’m not a huge fan of dates but these are yummy and the whole fam loves them!
Love that these even won over the non-date lover. Thank you!
These are so yum! I added some hemp seeds and maca. Rolled in coconut. Everyone loved them!
Made these without telling my hubby what they were made of. He raved about them. I will definitely make these again.
I’ve made these three times so far. We love them! My kids aren’t a huge fan of dates but they love these. I put them out at a game night and they were all gone at the end with multiple people asking for the recipe! Highly recommend!!!
I hear you – my kids are NOT date fans, lol, but how great these won your kids over anyway. Such an easy snack and I love that they were a part of your game night. Thank you for the review!
I’ve been eyeing these. Pretty sure they’ll set off my sugar dragon but not sure I’ll make it through February without trying them!
They are delicious and love that they have no added sugar! But, yes to making sure they aren’t feeding a sugar dragon. You can see my post on things you can do besides eating the cookie if you are looking for other ways to help those sugar cravings.
Made these after finishing my first whole 30! Delicious and my family loves them.
First, CONGRATS on your first Whole30 – that’s wonderful! And thank you, I’m so happy your family enjoyed them!
These taste just like brownies to me. I love munching on one or two of them for a snack.
I keep a batch of these in my freezer at all times. Perfect snack when you need a pick me up or want to impress your friends with a delicious treat! Bonus takes like 5 min to put together. I need speed! Thank you!!!
These little gems are a perfect treat with a cup of tea..
Love the collagen included in recipe.
A perfect healthy indulgence!
I share your website with everyone I share goodies with.It’s on my “Favorites”.
I just love that you pass my website along and it’s bookmarked, thank you!
These are amazing! My kids seriously had no idea they were eating “heathy” or with good for you ingredients! Super easy and quick to make, highly recommend making a double batch because they won’t last long!
These have become a favorite in our house. Super easy to make and the perfect little treat (served with a cup of tea during the afternoon slump) 🙂
Love love love! These have been a great little treat for our family. I just saw the suggestion of trading out the nuts for oats – I may try this as we have one but free kid.
So happy these have been a great one for your family, thank you!
To clarify, if I can’t use seeds or nuts, I can sub 2 tbsp of cocoa? Thanks!
I don’t think that would get the right texture, as the nuts/seeds are part of the bulk that holds these together. You could possibly try oats if you can tolerate those, but I haven’t tried it.
These are so easy and SO DELICIOUS!!! Thank you!
Love an easy and delicious win, woot! Thank you!
These are ridiculously delicious. I’m on maybe my 6th or 7th Whole30. These don’t set off cravings so I enjoy them with a cup of hot tea – especially on days with intense workouts. I have yet to try a recipe of yours that isn’t amazing!
I’m so happy you loved these and my recipes overall – thank you!