Peanut Chocolate Chip Energy Balls

4.86 from 7 votes

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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.

Overhead image of a plate of no-bake date energy balls with peanuts and chocolate chips.

These little snack bites are vegan, gluten-free and are super easy to whip up, no baking needed! Perfect for snacking on-the-go, take them along on busy days, road trips and hikes for all your snacking needs.

No-bake energy balls and bars are some of my favourite things to create. Some of my most popular recipes are these No-Bake Pecan Pie Balls, No-Bake Goji Berry Balls and Chocolate Date Balls. If you need a nut-free recipe, you can try these Cranberry Sunflower Seed Energy Balls or No-Bake Cinnamon Energy Balls.

Ingredients

Peanuts, chocolate chips and dates in a food processor.
  • Peanuts: I used unsalted blanched peanuts but salted blanched, raw peanuts or dry roasted salted or unsalted peanuts all work. You can swap these for any other nuts like cashews, pecans or walnuts.
  • 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.

This list is not complete. Please see the recipe card at the end of the post for the complete ingredient list with measurements and detailed instructions.

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!

A crumbly dough of dates, chocolate chips and peanuts in a food proccesor.

Step 2. Use your hands to roll the dough into approximately 21 balls. Enjoy for a sweet snack or dessert any time of day!

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.

Hands rolling energy ball dough into balls and placing them on a plate.

FAQs

Can I make these without peanuts?

Sure! To make these peanut-free, substitute the peanuts with almonds or cashews.

Do I need to soak the dates?

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.

How long do these keep?

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.

Hand picking a chocolate chip energy ball off of a plate.
Overhead image of a plate of no-bake date energy balls with peanuts and chocolate chips.
4.86 from 7 votes

Peanut Chocolate Chip Energy Balls

By: Deryn Macey
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.
Prep: 15 minutes
Total: 15 minutes
Servings: 21
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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: 1ball, Calories: 123kcal, Carbohydrates: 16g, Protein: 3g, Fat: 6g, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 13g
Like this recipe? Rate and comment below!

Updated January 2021 with new photos and text.

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21 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    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.

  2. 5 stars
    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