These Cashew Chocolate Date Energy Balls require just four ingredients, a food processor or heavy duty blender and a little bit of ball rolling time! A great paleo snack.
The Perfect Healthy Treat
I made these on a whim because I was craving chocolate, but wanted something on the healthier side.
I love that simple and nutritious foods can come together for a healthy treat.
This recipe is quick, easy and you only need four ingredients!
Four Healthy Ingredients
- Medjool dates – I love Medjool dates because they’re juicy and blend up really well with nuts. They’ve got potassium and fiber too!
- cashews – cashews are a great source of healthy fats.
- cocoa powder – or use cacao powder.
- egg white protein powder – this is where most of the protein in this recipe comes from. If you’re looking for a plant based option, you can sub in your favorite, but will likely have to compensate with some extra liquid.
Looking for more recipes like this?
These date energy balls are actually a rendition of my 4-ingredient Homemade Protein Bars – an RXBAR copycat.
How to Make Protein Balls with Dates
Protein energy balls are easily one of my favorite snacks. I love them as a little pre-workout boost. Plus they’re quick, no-bake, made with simple ingredients and taste awesome.
Use a Food Processor
A food processor is one of my most used kitchen tools. It makes date energy balls so easy! If you have a high powered blender, that works too.
Here’s how quick and easy this recipe is:
- In the bowl of your food processor process cashews, egg white protein, and cocoa powder until nuts have broken down into small pieces. Don’t process them too much, you still want pieces remaining.
- Add in pitted dates and process until combined–the mixture will look a little dry. With the motor running about 1 tablespoon of water at a time until mixture is sticky and everything comes together. Depending on if your dates were juicy or dry, you may need less or more water. Careful not to add too much water or mixture will be too sticky. If this happens, add about 1 tablespoon of coconut flour to absorb some of the moisture.
- Using a round tablespoon, scoop mixture and roll into balls between the palms of your hand. Place on a lined baking sheet and continue this process. You should have about 30 energy balls.
Protein Powder Options
I used egg white protein powder but you can also use collagen peptides like I did with these bars.
If you’re vegan, you can try subbing your favorite plant-based protein powder. You just may need to add a little bit more water for the mixture to come together and stick. Plant protein powders will absorb the wet ingredients differently so just watch for that.
Storing Energy Balls
These protein energy balls keep really well in the fridge for a couple of weeks.
Energy balls with dates store well in the freezer for a few months, as long as they’re in an airtight container.
You can enjoy them frozen, or thaw them out (at room temperature or in the fridge).
More Energy Balls Recipes
- Easy Dirty Chai Energy Balls
- Chocolate Hazelnut Energy Balls
- Peanut Butter Energy Balls
- Blueberry Coconut Oat Energy Balls
If you make this recipe be sure to leave a comment and review below. I love hearing from you and it helps others learn more about the recipe too.
Cashew Chocolate Protein Energy Balls
These Chocolate Cashew Protein Energy Balls require just four ingredients, a food processor (or heavy duty blender) and a little bit of ball rolling time! They are paleo and whole30 compliant. You can even leave out the protein if looking for a vegan friendly option. The perfect healthy snack that doubles as a treat.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: About 30 balls 1x
- Category: snacks
- Method: food processor
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
- 2 cups cashews (raw or toasted)
- 1 cup pure egg white protein
- 1/2 cup unsweetened cocao powder (or cacao, or carob)
- 18 large Medjool dates, soaked for 5 minutes in warm water and pitted (weighed at 10 ounces)
- 2–4 TBS water
Instructions
- In the bowl of your food processor process cashews, egg white protein, and cocoa powder until nuts have broken down into small pieces. Don’t process them too much, you still want pieces remaining.
- Add in pitted dates and process until combined–the mixture will look a little dry. With the motor running about 1 tablespoon of water at a time until mixture is sticky and everything comes together. Depending on if your dates were juicy or dry, you may need less or more water. Careful not to add too much water or mixture will be too sticky. If this happens, add about 1 tablespoon of coconut flour to absorb some of the moisture.
- Remove S blade from bowl of processor. Using a round tablespoon, scoop mixture and roll into balls between the palms of your hand. Place on a lined baking sheet and continue this process. You should have about 30 energy balls.
- Store protein energy balls in airtight container in fridge up to two weeks, or freezer about 3-4 months.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 ball
- Calories: 137
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 54mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 16g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: chocolate energy balls, energy balls recipe, date energy balls
Tools Used for This Recipe
Buy Now →
Buy Now →
Buy Now →
Buy Now →
NOTE: This post contains affiliate links, with no extra cost to you. Should you choose to purchase through those links, I will receive a small commission. Thank you so much for supporting Fit Mitten Kitchen!
Jenn says
I could use a break from my phone and social media too! It’s a little like an obsession. Ugh!
These little bites looks so good – LOVE cashews and dates. Thanks for the vegan sub too!
Ashley says
It totally is an obsession – hard to get ourselves to take the break!
Sonali- The Foodie Physician says
Quick, easy and oh so yummy! These little balls of deliciousness would make a great afternoon snack.
Ashley says
A great chocolatey afternoon pick-me-up 🙂
Taylor Kiser says
I need these energy balls in my life! These look so delicious! Love how easy they are to make!
Ashley says
Energy balls are the best <3
Kristina @ Love & Zest says
I need to be eating these! I love how easy they are to make! My kind of snack for sure!
Ashley says
They are just the best snack!
Emily Kyle says
I am obsessed with anything with cocoa powder, these look so yummy! I love that they are only 4 ingredients that I usually have in my pantry too!
Ashley says
Thanks Emily! I hope you make 🙂
Rene says
I made these and added too much water. how to fix? I just have it sitting in the bowl in the fridge. URGHHHH. but they taste good.
Ashley says
Hi Rene! Did you try adding coconut flour? You should be able to add a little bit at a time until the mixture comes back together. Almond flour may also work, or oats if not grain-free. Hope that helps!
Vered Samari says
These sounds soooooo delicious! and easy to make for a non-cook like me.
I am not a big fan of using protein powders in general…. anything else that can be used instead? thanks!
Ashley says
Hi Vered! You can actually leave out the protein powder entirely if you’d like. And then also omit the added water as well, unless it is needed at the end to help the mixture come together. Hope that helps!
Ross says
Hey, will these work with regular protein and walnuts? They look awesome
Ashley says
Hi Ross – using walnuts should work just fine! If using raw, I would recommend toasting them at 325 for about 6-7 minutes as it helps their flavor profile a bit. For protein I assume you mean whey? It will likely work, but I haven’t tried that myself with this particular recipe. It may make the mixture more sticky so you could try adding more cocoa powder if needed. Let me know if you decide to try!
Ross says
Thank you for your reply. I discovered recently that I am allergic to eggs, almond, peanuts, cashew, hazelnuts and coconut oil. So that rules out most of the flour that I used to bake with. Any suggestions to replace hazelnut or almond flour? I have tried gluten free flour and an egg replacer but needed to extend the baking time. Sure killed the joy of baking. HELP
Ashley says
Oh wow that is a lot! Gosh I am not super familiar with replacing nut flours for baking. My best suggestion would be to find more baking recipes by searching for nut-free within pinterest or google. That way it takes out most of the guess work when you’re trying to sub. That may not be very helpful but best of luck! Allergies suck!
Celine says
Do you have the nutritional facts?
Ashley says
Hi Celine,
I do not have the nutrition facts handy but if you plug the recipe into something like myfitnesspal.com you will get some approximate info. The reason I do not include nutrition facts is being that I try to practice intuitive eating and focus on real food, real ingredients – and preach the same to my audience. I used to be obsessive compulsive with tracking which is why I no longer calculate for my recipes here.
Anthony Fletcher says
Can I sub liquid egg whites in lieu of the protein powder and water?
Ashley says
Mmm I haven’t tried this myself so I can’t say for sure. My instinct says yes, it could work. But you don’t want to use a full 1/2 cup of liquid egg whites, just enough egg whites to add moisture to the mixture to hold together.