These sweet and salty coconut date nut balls satisfy snack cravings with a healthy twist! Made with just three ingredients and plenty of opportunities to provide your own twist, this healthy vegan snack is well-loved by children and adults.
They're the perfect take-along snack for hiking, camping, picnics, school lunches, work lunches, and more!
While I make these date nut balls year around, I enjoy them most in the busy on-the-go months of Spring, Summer, and Fall. They're great for outdoor outings and traveling since they hold up well to a wide range of temperatures. Just be careful not to squish them!
For more healthy snack recipes using nuts and fruit, check out these Healthy Chocolate Peanut Butter Balls, Healthy Trail Mix, Chia Seed Pudding, and Healthy Mango Popsicles.
How to make it (with photos)
Ingredients Notes
You need only three ingredients to make coconut date nut balls! Read the notes below the photo for easy substitutions and variations.
- Medjool dates - Medjool dates provide the base of this recipe. Be sure to remove any stems and pits before beginning.
- nuts - You can actually use most types of nuts in this recipe. I like mixed roasted and salted nuts. You can use almonds, cashews, pistachios, sunflower seeds, or peanuts, roasted or unroasted, and salted or unsalted. Or use mixed nuts like I did or a DIY combination of your favorite nuts.
- shredded coconut - Choose unsweetened shredded coconut for the tastiest and healthiest treat.
See the recipe card for a full list of ingredients with quantities.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Follow these 4 easy steps to make a large delicious batch of date nut balls!
- Soften the dates: In a large heat safe bowl, add the dates. Cover with boiling water and let sit for 10 minutes to soften. Then drain the water with a strainer and give it a shake to remove excess water.
- Make date paste: Add the soaked dates to a food processor. Blend on high until you have a fairly uniform date paste.
- Nuts: Add the nuts and blend until they break down into small pieces and the dates and nuts create a thick dough. You may need to scrape down the sides of the food processor several time to make a uniform paste.
- Coconut: Add the shredded coconut to a shallow dish. Using a tablespoon, melon baller, or small cookie scoop, scoop rounded tablespoons of date and nut paste and roll them into balls with your hands. Then roll the balls in shredded coconut. Store in the refrigerator and enjoy!
Expert Tip
Make perfect date nut balls on the first try with these expert tips.
Check the how-to photo for my recommended consistency.
These date nut balls will harden a little bit as the date paste cools.
However, since dates can be different sizes and the amount of water absorbed can vary slightly, I recommend a quick look at the photo in the "step-by-step instructions" section to make sure your date nut consistency looks similar.
They will still hold together and taste great with a little variation, so don't worry!
Recipe FAQs
Here I answered some frequently asked questions about this Date Ball recipe. Don't see your question? Leave it in the comments at the end of this post and I'll answer within two business days.
After allowing them to cool completely, store leftover date nut balls in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 10 days.
Instead of coconut, date balls can be rolled in cocoa powder, almond flour, other finely ground nuts, or finely ground quick oats.
Dates make a paste that is ideal for fruit and nut balls. While you can substitute other dried fruits for up to half of the date paste, I recommend finding a recipe that has already tried the fruit-date combination that you are looking for.
Stay tuned for another version of this recipe coming soon!
Related healthy snack recipes with nuts and fruit to consider...
Looking for more healthy vegan snack recipes like these coconut date balls? Check these out:
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Coconut Date Nut Balls
Ingredients
- 16 Medjool dates , pits and stems removed
- 1 ½ cups nuts of choice , see notes for suggestions
- ½ cup unsweetened dried shredded coconut , plus more for rolling
Instructions
- Soften the dates: In a large heat safe bowl, add the dates. Cover with boiling water and let sit for 10 minutes to soften. Then drain the water with a strainer and give it a shake to remove excess water.
- Make date paste: Add the soaked dates to a food processor. Blend on high until you have a fairly uniform date paste.
- Nuts: Add the nuts and blend until they break down into small pieces and the dates and nuts create a thick dough. You may need to scrape down the sides of the food processor several time to make a uniform paste.
- Coconut: Add the shredded coconut to a shallow dish. Using a tablespoon, melon baller, or small cookie scoop, scoop rounded tablespoons of date and nut paste and roll them into balls with your hands. Then roll the balls in shredded coconut. Store in the refrigerator and enjoy!
Bonnie
I love the mixed salted nuts in these date nut balls! I usually make bliss balls with raw cashews. This is a game changer 🤤
Janette
These coconut date nut balls are so easy and super delicious. Not too sweet, just a bit salty, and the textures make them really fun. I used mixed nuts too. Love this recipe!