My partner and I do a lot of workouts during the week. And he’s prepping for Ocean Man in Goa in a few months.
This gives me the opportunity to work on a lot of high-protein recipes.
I already wrote this beautiful pumpkin spice protein ball recipe here.
Since my aunt got me some dates, I thought I’d try another recipe and so far these have been a success!
These date brownie balls are exactly that.
Fudgy, chocolatey, naturally sweet, and packed with just enough bite from the nuts, they’re the kind of treat you keep in your fridge for when you want to feel like you’re indulging but still staying on track.
I’ve made these for road trips, meal prep Sundays, and even wrapped them up as little gifts, and they’re always a hit.
Plus, they come together in literally under 10 minutes with just a food processor and a handful of pantry ingredients.
Please note I’m adding variations and substitutions after the recipe.
Let’s dive in!
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Tips to Make it Even Better
- Use soft Medjool dates. If they’re dry, soak them in warm water for 5–10 minutes before using.
- Add 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract for extra flavor.
- Want a mocha vibe? Toss in 1 teaspoon of espresso powder.
- For protein boost, add a scoop of unsweetened chocolate protein powder.
- Use a small cookie scoop like this one to get even-sized balls quickly.
Date Brownie Balls (4-Ingredient Energy Bites)
Course: DessertDifficulty: Easy14-16
balls10
minutesIngredients
1 cup Medjool dates, pitted and soft
¾ cup walnuts or almonds (or a mix)
¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 tablespoon water (if needed)
pinch of sea salt (optional)
Directions
- Add the pitted dates and nuts to a food processor and pulse until they form a crumbly mixture.
- Then add the cocoa powder and a pinch of sea salt, and blend again until everything comes together into a sticky dough. If the mixture looks dry, add a tablespoon of water to help it bind.
- Scoop out small portions and roll them into smooth balls using your hands.
- Place them on a parchment-lined plate and chill for at least 30 minutes before serving.
- You can store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 10 days.
- This is a fun treat to have even to satisfy cravings!
Variations & Substitutions
- Use cashews or pecans instead of walnuts or almonds.
- Add 1–2 tablespoons of mini dark chocolate chips for extra indulgence.
- Roll the finished balls in coconut flakes, chia seeds, or a dusting of cocoa powder for a decorative finish.
- To make it nut-free, substitute sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds.
They’re ridiculously easy, endlessly customizable, and honestly, they beat any store-bought protein bar by a mile.
Make a double batch. Your future self will thank you.
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