Peanut Chocolate Chip Energy Balls
These no-bake peanut chocolate chip energy balls are easy to make with just 3 simple ingredients and perfect for a sweet snack or dessert.
Features
- dietary features: vegan and gluten-free
- quick and easy: you’ll need just 3 ingredients and 15 minutes
- snacking on-the-go: they travel well so take them along on busy days, road trips and hikes!
Ingredient Notes
These are some notes on ingredients used. The complete list of ingredients and amounts is located in the recipe card below.
- peanuts – I used unsalted blanched peanuts but salted blanched, raw peanuts or dry roasted salted or unsalted peanuts all work
- dates – any variety works as long as they’re soft and moist
- chocolate chips – I used Enjoy Life Dark Chocolate Chips but any chocolate chips or chopped dark chocolate chocolate works
- optional sea salt – I added sea salt since my peanuts were unsalted, if you’re using unsalted peanuts, add up to 1/2 tsp salt as an optional ingredient, if you’re using salted peanuts, do not add salt
Step by Step Instructions
Step 1. Add the dates, peanuts and chocolate chips to a food processor and blend into a sticky dough.
Quick Tip: After blending, squeeze some of the dough between your fingers. You should easily be able to roll it into a little ball. If the dough is too crumbly, which can happen if your dates were too dry, add 1-2 tbsp water and blend again. That should do it!
Step 2. Use your hands to roll the dough into approximately 21 balls.
Quick Tip: I like to use a cookie scoop to help keep the balls roughly the same size. You can make them as big or as small as you like but mine are usually around 1 inch.
Enjoy the date ball for a sweet snack or dessert any time of day!
FAQs
Sure! To make these peanut-free, substitute the peanuts with almonds or cashews.
If your dates are overly dry, I would recommend soaking them in hot water for 15 minutes then draining well before use. If your dates are soft, go ahead without soaking and if needed, you can add 1-2 tbsp of water to the recipe.
These can be stored in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks or frozen for up to 3 months. If taking to-go, they’re fine for a day or two but will start to get soft if it’s warm. Keep cool for best results! I like to store them in the freezer.
Did you try this recipe?
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I’d love to hear about it! Click here to leave a review and be sure to tag me @runningonrealfood if you post it on social media.
Peanut Chocolate Chip Energy Balls
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 21 1x
- Category: Snack
- Method: Food Processor
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegan
Description
These homemade date peanut energy balls are so easy to make you’ll want to make a batch every weekend! Try them with the added sea salt for a delicious sweet and salty treat.
Ingredients
- 1.5 cups packed, soft pitted dates (330 g)
- 1.5 cups peanuts (225 g)
- 1/2 cup chocolate chips (90 g)
- 1/2 tsp sea salt (optional, only use if using unsalted peanuts)
Instructions
- Place ingredients in a food processor and mix until it forms a thick dough. You should easily be able to pinch the dough into a little ball. If it seems too crumbly to roll (this can happen if your dates were too dry), add 1-2 tbsp water and blend again.
- Use your hands to roll the dough into approximately 22 balls, about 1-inch each in diameter.
Notes
Storing: Store in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks or freezer for up to 3 months. They don’t freeze solid so are yummy straight from the freezer!
Peanuts: Blanched salted or unsalted or dry-roasted salted or unsalted all work. If using salted peanuts, do not add sea salt. If peanuts are unsalted, add up to 1/2 tsp optional sea salt for a yummy, sweet and salty treat!
Energy Bar Option: The dough can also be pressed into a parchment-paper lined 7 or 8 inch square baking pan then sliced into bars if you prefer.
Peanut-Free Option: Substitute the peanuts with almonds or cashews.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 ball
- Calories: 123
- Sugar: 13 g
- Fat: 6 g
- Carbohydrates: 16 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 3 g
Keywords: chocolate chip energy balls, peanut energy balls
Updated January 2021 with new photos and text.
Soooo delicious! I had mixed nuts on hand so used them. Always have medjool dates and Enjoy Life chocolate chops on hand so meant to be this Sunday afternnon.
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Sounds perfect! Glad you enjoyed them.
What a awesome recipe! I am a runner and run close to 16 miles every weekend. I love this as my go to running snack. Thank you!
Ramesh R
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Delicious. Simple. Kids love them. I love them. Think I will add some dried blueberries or cherries next time.
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Perfect! So glad they were enjoyed.
Could something else be used besides dates? Dates break me out!
Possibly soaked raisins but I haven’t tried it. Thanks!
I love energy balls so thank you for the recipe. I stupidly forgot the salt but may just add a sprinkle after. They’re currently in the fridge to harden slightly. Can’t wait to try them. They look delicious!
Hope you enjoy them! The salt is no big deal but ya, a little sprinkle afterwards would be yummy!
I added a few scoops of chocolate protein powder (and therefore had to add some water), and they turned out delicious! They were very easy and quick to make. I will definitely be making these again in the future!
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How exactly do I make these? I cannot seem to get this “dough” your mentioning in the recipe. I’ve tried twice and freezing it just to have cold or frozen date butter…. using 1.5 cups of pitted mejule. I didn’t have peanuts so I used white chocolate chips both times but both time it is just a good mess in a tray that will not turn into bars.
I don’t think white chocolate chips would work as the base of this recipe. You really need the nuts mixed with the dates to create the sticky, doughy texture.
Lol wouldn’t it be 3 ingredients? Does the salt not count?
Salt is not typically counted as an ingredient as it’s something everyone has on hand and it’s not required for the recipe.
These look amazing! We have an Omnitec blender, which I think will be up for the job. I’m definitely going to give them a go. 🙂
This is a perfect treat for the children and adults too! I’d love to try one on my own ASAP!
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Hi Deryn!
this recipe looks so great! I would ask you: what do you think if then I deep this bars into melted unsweetened dark chocolate ?
Thank you :*
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I think that would be amazing!
YUM! I love dates too. Perfect for pre-workout since I work out right after waking. I need something small with quick carbs for energy, and dates are perfect. I know I’d love these bars because I love the peanut-date Larabar. I bet these crumbled atop a smoothie bowl are amazing!
I LOVE them on top of my smoothie bowls, so good!