These Healthy Chocolate Peanut Butter Balls are an indulgent little snack with healthy ingredients and no added sugar! They come together with 7 ingredients and in under 20 minutes of hands-on time. We love the peanut butter and coconut flavor, chocolate shell, and the soft and chewy filling.
Since these healthy peanut butter balls can melt in the summer heat, we make them most frequently as a snack in the cooler months. They're perfect after the holidays for training your taste buds away from the high-sugared cookies and confections of holiday celebrations.
I think of this recipe as a super healthy version of my Gluten-Free Peanut Butter Cookies or No Bake Peanut Butter Truffle Balls. It's also similar to my Peanut Butter Hot Chocolate recipe!
For more healthy snacks without refined sugar like this one, I recommend checking out my Healthy Trail Mix Recipe, Healthy Gluten and Dairy Free Charcuterie Board, Almond Flour Pumpkin Muffins, Almond Flour Chocolate Chip Cookies, and Easy Overnight Chocolate Chia Pudding.
And for more delicous chocolate dipped treats, check out my Chocolate Dipped Strawberries and Dark Chocolate Maple Buttercream Candies.
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How to make it (with photos)
Ingredients Notes + Substitutions
This recipe is fantastic because it uses only 7 healthy ingredients and has no added sugar.
- Medjool Dates - Dates add a healthy sweetness, vitamins, fiber and electrolytes to this recipe.
- peanut butter - I recommend using unsweetened peanut butter so that this recipe has no added sugar. These healthy peanut butter bites will already be lightly sweet from the dates. For peanut butter allergies, you can use sunflower seed butter instead.
- shredded coconut - Make sure to choose an unsweetened variety, since sweetened coconut is very sweet. If substituting coconut flour, start with a smaller amount and add more gradually since it is more dense than shredded coconut.
- semi-sweet chocolate chips - To make these vegan and allergy-friendly, choose a vegan and gluten-free chocolate. I like Enjoy Life Chocolate Chips since they are vegan and top 8 allergen free.
- avocado oil - A little bit of oil helps to thin the chocolate so that the shell does not get too thick. Vegetable oil or any neutral tasting oil can be used as a replacement.
You also need vanilla extract and salt to make this recipe.
See the recipe card for a full list of ingredients and quantities.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Four steps, about 20 minutes of hands-on time, and a little bit of cooling time are needed to make these healthy chocolate peanut butter balls!
- Filling: Add the dates, peanut butter, vanilla extract, and salt to a food processor. Blend until well-mixed, stopping on occasion to scrape down the sides. Add the shredded coconut to the food processor and blend on high speed until the coconut is mixed in and has broken into small pieces.
- Form Balls: Use a tablespoon measure or melon baller to scoop and transfer 1 tablespoon amounts of the peanut butter mixture to a baking sheet lined with a silicone liner or parchment paper. Leave a little space between each filling ball. Gently use your fingers to press any stray bits into the balls so they are a nice rounded shape. Your mixture will probably be too sticky to roll into balls, and that is ok! Place the filling balls in the freezer for 1 hour.
- Chocolate: Add the chocolate and avocado oil to a liquid measuring cup or jar with a wide opening. Microwave in 20 second increments, stirring every 1-2 to ensure even heating so the chocolate does not burn. When the chocolate is smooth, allow to cool slightly for about 5 minutes.
- Dip: Dip the peanut butter filling balls into the chocolate one at a time by dropping them in the melted chocolate and using a fork to scoop it back out. Remove the extra chocolate by dragging the bottom of the fork along the edge of the jar. Transfer the dipped peanut butter ball back to the lined baking sheet, leaving a little space between them. Drizzle any leftover chocolate over the dipped balls for decoration. Place in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to cool and solidify before eating. I enjoy keeping them in the refrigerator so the chocolate shell is extra crisp! They are also great at room temperature.
Hint: Drizzle any leftover chocolate onto a silicone liner or parchment paper and allow to cool to eat or use for melting again with a different recipe.
Expert Tips
Make these healthy chocolate peanut butter balls perfectly on the first try with these tips.
It's ok to move quickly through each of these steps.
In general, I find that the more quickly I move through this recipe (without rushing) the better it turns out! Dipping the balls in chocolate is best done quickly so that it doesn't cool too much. You're more likely to get a smooth chocolate surface that looks very nice too.
While scooping the filling, the balls do not need to be perfectly round or compacted to turn out just right.
Don't overheat the chocolate!
It usually takes me about 2 ½ minutes to fully melt the chocolate. When it does melt, it happens quickly at around 100-105 degrees F. Stir regularly, use a thermometer if you have one, and read my tips in this PB BALLS post to master microwaved chocolate.
A double boiler or makeshift double boiler is also a perfectly good way to melt chocolate for this recipe.
Recipe FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about these healthy peanut butter balls. Don't see your question? Leave it in the comments and I'll answer within two business days.
Store leftover healthy chocolate peanut butter balls in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week, or at a cool room temperature for up to 5 days. Keep a paper towel in the container to absorb excess moisture, and replace if it becomes damp.
Unsweetened shredded coconut is a natural ingredient and a good source of fiber, vitamin A, vitamin E, potassium, and magnesium. It also has protein and a small amount of iron. It is generally considered a healthy ingredient.
Coconut flour can be used in place of unsweetened shredded coconut. Start with just one cup, and then add more until you get your desired consistency.
Related healthy snack recipes to consider...
These are some of my favorite healthy snacks! I bet you'll love them too.
Love this recipe? Please leave a 5-star 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 rating in the recipe card or comment field below. Thank you!
Healthy Chocolate Peanut Butter Balls
Ingredients
- 5 Medjool Dates , pits removed
- 1 cup peanut butter , no sugar added
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 2 cups unsweetened shredded coconut
- 1 ½ cups semi-sweet chocolate chips or dark chocolate
- ¾ teaspoon avocado oil or vegetable oil
Instructions
- Filling: Add the dates, peanut butter, vanilla extract, and salt to a food processor. Blend until well-mixed, stopping on occasion to scrape down the sides. Add the shredded coconut to the food processor and blend on high speed until the coconut is mixed in and has broken into small pieces.
- Form Balls: Use a tablespoon measure or melon baller to scoop and transfer 1 tablespoon amounts of the peanut butter mixture to a baking sheet lined with a silicone liner or parchment paper. Leave a little space between each filling ball. Gently use your fingers to press any stray bits into the balls so they are a nice rounded shape. Your mixture will probably be too sticky to roll into balls, and that is ok! Place the filling balls in the freezer for 1 hour.
- Chocolate: Add the chocolate and avocado oil to a liquid measuring cup or jar with a wide opening. Microwave in 20 second increments, stirring every 1-2 to ensure even heating so the chocolate does not burn. When the chocolate is smooth, allow to cool slightly for about 5 minutes.
- Dip: Dip the peanut butter filling balls into the chocolate one at a time by dropping them in the melted chocolate and using a fork to scoop it back out. Remove the extra chocolate by dragging the bottom of the fork along the edge of the jar. Transfer the dipped peanut butter ball back to the lined baking sheet, leaving a little space between them. Drizzle any leftover chocolate over the dipped balls for decoration. Place in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to cool and solidify before eating. I enjoy keeping them in the refrigerator so the chocolate shell is extra crisp! They are also great at room temperature.
Jean
We are so addicted to these healthy chocolate peanut butter balls that I’m already trying to find a solution for making them when it’s hot out. I think I’ll put chocolate chips in the balls and roll them in coconut. Do you think that would work?
Brenda
The whole family loves these! The chocolate coating really makes them special.
Leah
I made these for a friend after she had her baby and she gobbled them up and asked for more ❤️❤️❤️
Robin
I’m so glad I tried these! Love the date peanut butter and chocolate combo. And the coconut too. It’s like a peanut butter almond joy, but healthier!
Kiki
These are so good! I just made them a second time.
Aurora
I saw that you just posted these, and was so excited to try them! They are absolutely delicious and I’m already planning on making another batch this weekend. Love the peanut butter, chocolate, and coconut combination.
Joanna
These chocolate peanut butter energy balls are super addictive! I love eating them as snacks and will be making them again soon.