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Cocoa Energy Balls – Healthy Little Foodies

Make a batch of these cocoa energy balls and store them in the freezer for an easy grab-and-go snack or lunchbox treat.

Top Down Shot Of Cocoa Energy Balls in Bowl Sitting on Wooden Bunny Shaped Plate

What’s to Love About These Cocoa Energy Balls?

  • No-Bake: Throw ingredients into a food processor, blitz and then roll into balls. So easy the kids can do it with little supervision.
  • Lunch Box Friendly: These balls are nut-free (which most school settings request) and they won’t melt, like other chocolate treats.
  • Grab-and-go: Store in the freezer for whenever you are in the need for something sweet.
  • Customizable: No need to follow the recipe exactly, as long as the mixture comes together to form a ball then they are good to go. Taste the mixture and adjust sweetness/texture to suit.

Ingredient Information

Flat Lay of Ingredients, Needed to Make Energy Balls, in Measuring Cups
  • DATES – Medjool dates work best. It is important that they are soft and sticky or they won’t blend properly. If you feel your dates are on the dry side, soak them in hot water for around 10 minutes to soften. You may find that you need to add a teaspoon or two of water to your ball mixture for extra moisture.
  • OATS – Use rolled oats or quick oats, steel-cut oats are not suitable. You can replace with nuts if you prefer.
  • COCOA – For that rich chocolate taste. Adjust the amount to suit taste. You may wish to reduce the amount depending on the age of the child.
  • CINNAMON – For flavour (optional)
  • VANILLA – Adds a lovely sweetness.
  • COCONUT OIL – Adds moisture to help with forming into balls and improves mouthfeel. Can be replaced with coconut butter or nut butter.

How to Make (With Process Shots)

Collage of 4 Images To Show How to Make Cocoa Balls. 1) All Ingredeints in Food Processor 2) Ingredients After they Have Been Processed 3) Remove Tablespoon of Mixture 4) Ball Formed

There really isn’t much to making energy balls, you just need a food processor, the ingredients and five minutes of time.

  1. Add all the ingredients to a food processor.
  2. Blitz ingredients together.
  3. Roll into balls.

Watch the Video

Frequently Asked Questions

Are These Suitable for Babies / Toddlers

Not recommend for babies. If you wish to offer them, as an occasional food, to toddlers reduce the amount of cocoa due to the caffeine content.

Can You Make These in a Blender?

Not recommended. If you don’t have a food processor, you can try using a blender but dates can be tough for blenders due to their sticky nature. It will depend on the blender, try pulsing instead of blending.

Why Won’t My Balls Stick Together?

Your dates may have been a little dry. Try adding a tsp of water, a little extra coconut oil or a couple more pitted dates (dates should be sticky/soft, or it will only cause the mixture to become more dry.)

Why is My Mixture too Sticky?

If your dates are super fresh the mixture may be a little sticky. If this is the case just add a bit more oats.

Storage Instructions

Add the cocoa energy balls to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to a week or freeze, for up to 2 months.

Side Shot of Cocoa Energy Balls in White Bowl. Focus on One Ball with Bite Removed Sitting In Front of Bowl

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45 Degree Shot of cocoa Balls in White Bowl Sitting on Wooden Bunny Plate

Cocoa Energy Balls

Make a batch of these cocoa energy balls and store in the freezer for an easy grab-and-go snack or lunchbox treat. Easy, quick & delicious.

Instructions

  • Add all the ingredients to a food processor and blitz until the mixture is combined and starts to clump together.

  • Scoop out 1tbsp amounts and roll into balls.

  • Enjoy immediately or place in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator (for up to a week) or freezer (for up to two months).

Recipe Notes

Fresh and sticky dates work best. If your dates are dry then you will need to soak them in boiling water to soften. If they are too dry the mixture will not stick together. 
If the mixture is too dry/crumbly and doesn’t stick together when pressed between two fingers, add a tsp of water, a little extra coconut oil or a couple more pitted dates (dates should be sticky/soft, or it will only cause the mixture to become more dry.)
You may wish to reduce the cocoa level if worried about the energising effect. Reduce if serving a young child.
Nutritional information is a rough guide only, calculated using an online nutrition calculator. 
 

Nutrition Facts

Cocoa Energy Balls

Amount Per Serving

Calories 46
Calories from Fat 9

% Daily Value*

Fat 1g2%

Saturated Fat 1g5%

Sodium 1mg0%

Potassium 111mg3%

Carbohydrates 11g4%

Fiber 2g8%

Sugar 7g8%

Protein 1g2%

Vitamin A 16IU0%

Vitamin C 1mg1%

Calcium 11mg1%

Iron 1mg6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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