Coconut Date Balls Recipe (2024)

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This healthy vegan recipe for Coconut Date Balls showcases the sweet natural caramel flavor notes in dates and is the perfect nutrient-dense snack! With only 5 ingredients, this recipe is easy to make in just 15 minutes.

Mid-afternoon I tend to feel a little snacky.

Naughty thoughts of things like chocolate and cheese lead to naughtier thoughts of things like bread and cake.

To stop this downward spiral, I like to combat these thoughts with a well-stocked pantry so I can whip up things like Coconut Date Balls on a whim. My favorite thing to do lately is make a double batch of these and keep them in the fridge so I can grab a couple each day around 3 pm. It feels like such an indulgence.

These taste like candy. Well, not candy in a Snickers or Twix sort-of way, but candy in a more sophisticated salted caramel nut way. (Yeah, like that.)

Vanilla perfectly accents the natural notes of caramel in dates, and these little bites of bliss perfectly showcase this lovely combination.

As a kid I remember my mom having coconut date candy every year around the holidays. I think it was just date puree coated in shredded coconut, sometimes with an almond pressed into the top. They were delicious in their simplicity, really showcasing the flavor of dates. These Coconut Date Balls remind me of that candy!

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  • The Best Healthy Coconut Date Balls Recipe
  • Tips for Making Coconut Date Balls
  • More Delicious Recipes with Dates to Try
  • Coconut Date Balls Recipe

The Best Healthy Coconut Date Balls Recipe

This recipe is full of healthy, nutrient-dense ingredients that you might already have on hand in a well-stocked pantry. And it’s easy to make in a food processor!

Healthy Coconut Date Balls Recipe Ingredients

  • Walnuts
  • Flaked coconut
  • Dates
  • Vanilla
  • Salt

How to Make Coconut Date Balls

  1. Add the walnuts, coconut flakes, dates, vanilla extract, and salt to a food processor and process until the mixture is finely chopped and holds together when you squeeze it into a ball.
  2. Roll the mixture into 8 balls.
  3. Roll each in shredded coconut.

How to Store Date Balls

Store these Coconut Date Balls in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.

Variations on This Recipe

  • Use your favorite type of nuts. Instead of walnuts, use pecans, almonds, or whatever your favorite type of nuts is.
  • Spice it up. Add ½ teaspoon of ground cinnamon.
  • Change up the coating. Instead of coating these date bites in shredded coconut, roll them in chopped nuts. Or skip rolling them in coconut and dip them in melted chocolate for a truly decadent treat!

Tips for Making Coconut Date Balls

  • Use soft and chewy dates for this recipe. If your dates are hard and dry, you can soak them in hot water for 10 minutes. Drain them and then proceed with the recipe.
  • To help prevent the dates from sticking inside the food processor, I like to spray it with coconut oil spray before making these Coconut Date Balls.
  • Make sure your shredded coconut is unsweetened because the dates add enough sweetness to this recipe.

More Delicious Recipes with Dates to Try

Did you make this recipe? Please rate it and leave a comment below because I love hearing from you! You can also tag @anediblemosaic and #healthysweeteats on social media. To stay up-to-date FOLLOW ME on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. Xoxo, Faith

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Coconut Date Balls Recipe (9)

Coconut Date Balls Recipe

  • Total Time: 15 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x

Description

This healthy vegan recipe for Coconut Date Bites showcases the sweet natural caramel flavor notes in dates and is the perfect nutrient-dense snack! With only 5 ingredients, this recipe is easy to make in just 15 minutes.

Ingredients

Scale

  • ½ cup walnuts
  • 11 tablespoons unsweetened coconut flakes (divided (½ cup for the balls + 3 tablespoons for rolling them in))
  • 3 ounces Medjool dates (pitted (about 6 Medjool dates; remove the pits before weighing))
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1 pinch salt

Instructions

  1. Add the walnuts, ½ cup coconut flakes, dates, vanilla extract, and salt to a food processor and process until the mixture is finely chopped and holds together when you squeeze it into a ball.
  2. Roll the mixture into 8 balls.
  3. Put the remaining 3 tablespoons coconut flakes in a shallow bowl. Roll each date ball in coconut flakes to coat.
  4. Serve or store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.

Notes

  • Use soft and chewy dates for this recipe. If your dates are hard and dry, you can soak them in hot water for 10 minutes. Drain them and then proceed with the recipe.
  • To help prevent the dates from sticking inside the food processor, I like to spray it with coconut oil spray before making these Coconut Date Balls.
  • Make sure your shredded coconut is unsweetened because the dates add enough sweetness to this recipe.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Category: Breakfast, Dessert, Snack
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Calories: 248
  • Sugar: 16
  • Sodium: 15
  • Fat: 18
  • Saturated Fat: 9
  • Carbohydrates: 21
  • Fiber: 5
  • Protein: 4

Keywords: Coconut Date Balls, Date Balls, Date Balls Recipe

This post was first published on Healthy Sweet Eats on May 28, 2015. It was updated with more information on July 1, 2021.

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Coconut Date Balls Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Are dates rolled in coconut good for you? ›

Coconut: The shredded coconut on the outside of the coconut date balls are a signature look for these energy date balls. Coconut is high in antioxidants so it's good for fighting disease. But it's also high in saturated-fats, so just be mindful of how much you use.

How many calories in a date nut ball? ›

1 ball: 69 calories, 3g fat (1g saturated fat), 4mg cholesterol, 32mg sodium, 11g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 1g fiber), 1g protein.

What can you do with dates? ›

Dates can be eaten as a snack on their own, or used in dishes that range from baked goods like Date and Walnut Rugelach with Tahini Glaze to savory main dishes like Spiced Duck Breasts with Mandarin Oranges and Dates.

Are dates healthier than bananas? ›

By weight, Medjool dates contain 50% more potassium than bananas. This essential mineral helps control heart rate, breathing, and muscular function. This benefit is particularly important because potassium deficiency is common as less than 2% of Americans meet the daily recommended value.

Do dates clean your liver? ›

Dates contain significant amounts of fiber and potassium. The Potassium and other minerals in dates help to cleanse the liver. In addition, dates will help remove heavy metals and toxins from the body. One of the requirements for people with fatty liver is weight loss because Weight loss help to reduce liver fat.

How many dates is 200 calories? ›

So if you're planning on adding dates to your snacktime routine, consider capping your intake to just three dates, or about 200 calories' worth, at a time, says Gans.

Are dates worth the calories? ›

High in Calories

Just two dried dates contain 110 calories. This makes them a great option for energy-dense trail mix, but less ideal for losing weight. If you are looking to shed pounds for health reasons, try other types of dried fruits that are rich in nutrients, but lower in calories than dried dates.

How many calories are in 2 raw dates? ›

How Many Calories Do Dates Have?
Portion SizeCalories
Calories in 2 dates (pitted 14.2 g)40
4 dates calories92
Dates calories in 100 g277
Calories in one cup of dates (pitted & chopped)502
5 more rows

Can dates burn belly fat? ›

Dates are a nutritious and delicious fruit that can be part of a healthy, well-balanced diet. They contain high levels of fibre, which can help with weight management and reduce belly fat. Fibre helps to regulate digestion, promoting feelings of fullness and reducing the overall calorie intake.

How many dates a day is OK to eat? ›

So, if you want to snack on something healthy while also keeping your cholesterol in check, consider adding dates in your diet. Having five to six dates per day is enough for your health. Remember, since it has some amount of sugar added, don't have them in excess as it can lead to high sugar levels and diabetes.

What happens to your body when you eat dates? ›

Dates have anti-fungal, anti-bacterial, and anti-viral characteristics, as well as the ability to prevent chronic inflammation and other disorders, due to their high phenolic content. Due to their high fiber and phenolic content, dates can aid in the prevention of cardiovascular disease and immune system regulation.

What do date and coconut do in the body? ›

Tiger nuts, dates and coconut contain vital contents such as high fibre, minerals and vitamins. All these components offer important benefits to the body. They range from proper brain functioning to aided digestion.

What type of dates are most nutritious? ›

All dates are good for your health, however, some varieties top the chart due to their yummy taste and high nutritional value. Medjool dates are said to be the most healthy by many, however, this will solely be dependant upon your taste for the dates. Why is it best to soak dates before eating?

What are the healthiest sweetener dates? ›

Dates are particularly great as a complete sugar substitute because, unlike sugar, they have so many positive accompanying substances,” explains food author and nutrition expert Dagmar von Cramm, when we ask “are dates healthy?” They add the fruit is high in minerals like potassium, copper, and iron.

Do dates contain unhealthy sugar? ›

Dates boast an impressive nutritional profile and natural sweetness. Because they're a natural source of fructose, they might be a concern for people with diabetes. However, because they have a low GI and medium GL, those living with diabetes can enjoy dates in moderation.

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