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These Raw Cacao Energy Balls are brimming with nutrient-packed nuts and are naturally sweetened with dates. There's not even a a pinch of refined sugar in these healthy treats! The best part about these protein bites is that they're a healthy no bake snack.
I actually made the protein balls because my pantry was overflowing with bits and pieces from the bulk bin I wanted to use up.
Raw almonds, walnuts, and oats make up the base of these energy balls, but you can probably use any nuts or seeds you have on hand. I imagine next time pepitas and pistachios would make a fantastic combination!
You could easy make substitutions with whatever you have in your pantry. Here are a few ideas:
- Instead of walnuts and almonds, try cashews, pepitas (pumpkin seeds), pistachios, or sunflower seeds.
- You can also add in other healthy seeds, like hemp seeds (hemp hearts), flax seeds, or chia seeds.
- Add cacao nibs for a little more texture.
- Add vanilla extract for a sweeter bite.
These chocolate energy balls come together quickly with the help of a food processor and just a few simple ingredients: almonds, walnuts, oats, cacao powder, a little water, and medjool dates.
The dates in this recipe are what adds the sweetness without having to add refined sugar or maple syrup. With loads of protein and minimal sweetness, you're sure replace that afternoon cookie sugar crash with an energy boost!
The difference between raw cacao and cocoa powder
It's worth noting that these energy balls are made with raw cacao (affiliate link to the one we used is just below the recipe), which is the unprocessed form of cocoa beans and is often considered a superfood due to its rich nutritional profile. This is different than the Hershey's cocoa powder you often use when baking.
Raw cacao and cocoa powder both come from the cacao bean, but they undergo different processes, which can affect their nutritional content and flavor.
Raw cacao is made from cacao beans that have been minimally processed. The beans are typically fermented, dried, and then cold-pressed to extract the fat (cacao butter) and create cacao mass or paste. This paste can be ground into raw cacao powder. Raw cacao typically has a more intense and bitter flavor compared to cocoa powder. It can have fruity or nutty undertones, and its flavor can vary depending on the specific cacao beans used.
Cocoa powder is made from cacao beans that have been roasted at higher temperatures, which can lead to some loss of nutrients. After roasting, the beans are ground and processed to remove the cacao butter, resulting in cocoa solids, which are then ground into cocoa powder. Cocoa powder has a milder and less bitter flavor due to the roasting process. It is often used in baking and cooking for its familiar cocoa taste.
Because it is less processed, raw cacao generally retains more of its natural nutrients, including antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. It is often higher in antioxidants like flavonoids, which have potential health benefits.
Let's make some energy balls
The process is super simple, but the textures can sometimes be a little tricky. Hopefully these process shots give you a better idea of how it all comes together.
Combine all of your dry ingredients (oats, walnuts, almonds, cacoa, salt) in the bowl of a food processor.
Pulse until you reach a mealy texture.
Add the dates and water. Pulse until it just comes together.
Roll into balls and refrigerate until firm.
Raw Cacao Energy Balls
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 0 mins
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 12 energy balls 1x
- Category: snacks
- Method: food processor
- Diet: Vegan
Description
These Raw Cacao Energy Balls are brimming with nutrient-packed nuts and are naturally sweetened with dates. Not a pinch of refined sugar in these treats!
Ingredients
- ½ cup raw almonds
- ½ cup raw walnuts
- 1 cup old fashioned oats
- 2 Tbsp. raw cacao powder
- ¼ to ½ tsp. salt
- ¾ cup dates, chopped
- 1 to 2 Tbsp. water
Instructions
- Process the dry ingredients. Put the almonds, walnuts, oats, cacao, and salt in the bowl of a food processor. Pulse until the nuts break down and combine with the other ingredients. The meal should be fine, but retain some texture — you don’t want to make nut butter!
- Add the wet ingredients. Add the dates and a tablespoon of water and run the food processor until the mixture becomes thick and sticky. You should be able to squeeze a bit of the mixture between your fingers. If it's too loose and crumbly, add another tablespoon of water and process until everything comes together.
- Shape and chill. Line a baking sheet with a piece of parchment paper. Scoop pieces of the mixture and roll it into balls between your palms, slightly smaller than the size of a golf ball. Line them up on the baking sheet and place it in the refrigerator to chill for at least an hour, overnight if possible. Store the raw cacao energy balls in an airtight container in the refrigerator or freezer.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 piece
- Calories: 92
- Sugar: 1.3 g
- Sodium: 48.6 mg
- Fat: 5.4 g
- Saturated Fat: 0.5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 8.5 g
- Fiber: 1.7 g
- Protein: 2.8 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
Chelsea
These are perfect for a mid-morning snack and two will keep me full until lunch! I needed to add a lot more water as others commented. I must have made them slightly smaller because I got 16 out of this recipe. They are just the right amount of sweetness and the lovely cacao flavour keeps the chocolate cravings at bay. I think I'll always have to have some in the freezer!
Marie Rees
My daughter and I just made the cacao energy balls and they are delicious! Thankyou!
Luke
They're nice but very dry even with extra water.
I added cherrys to give it more flavour and moisture.
Tastes so much nicer warmed up.
Janet Stewart
Love this recipe. I made 16 as I wanted them smaller, I also added more water and a spoonful of organic honey as I have a very sweet tooth. Love the nuttiness and a slight bite. These will keep the hunger at bay and know I am eating good food!
Dani A
I never leave reviews but this is the best most successful recipe I’ve ever tried. So fast, and tastes even better than I expected. Not to mention nutritious! I added less powder and a little bit of cacao nibs and . Thank you so much!!!
Katie Koteen
Dani, I'm so glad you liked them! They're a favorite around our house, too. Thanks for taking the time to leave a review. 🙂
Deanna
But what if I want to make nut butter? Lol so I need the nuts fully ground and can’t eat dates. Will it still hold up if I fully grind the nuts first and use maple syrup? Or could I substitute baked sweet potato for the dates?
Katie Koteen
I like the idea of adding the sweet potato. Let us know if that worked!
Maddy
These are delicious. I roll them in cacao which makes them more chocolatey and keep in the freezer. Love that you can eat straight from freeze and great for running snacks. I often replace nuts with hazelnut and pecans. Thankyou!
Laura
Very good but could be addicting! ;-). I too had to add almost double the water to achieve the correct consistency. I am thinking instead of adding more water, perhaps a teensy bit of peanut butter or honey? Has anyone tried this?
Kevin Keener
This recipe for raw cacao energy balls is incredible. I've already made it a few times. I will definitely be trying more recipes off of your site. Thank you so much for such a useful resource for vegan recipes.
Jessica
Loved to know if anyone tried replacing the walnuts and with what. I have a walnut allergy. I’ll play with a few ideas.
Mumma kat
These were delicious! Great way to get walnuts and almonds into our diet. I used a cheap blender, so had to use 4 tablespoons of water as it’s not very powerful. I made sure the nuts were super fine so that my 2 year old could eat it too. Perfect way to add nuts into her diet without the stress of it being a choking hazard. I have mentioned these in next weeks YouTube video and I will be adding your link to my description box! Thankyou for sharing this easy and amazing recipe! Mumma Kat x
Karin
I followed the recipe and my mix was very dry and did not taste much of cacao. So I added a tablespoon of coconut butter, 1.5 tablespoons of almond butter, extra water and a tablespoon of raw cacao nibs. Then is came together and tasted good!
Claudia McClean
Made these this evening, swapped pecans in for walnuts as they were what I had. Popped them in the freezer already. Devine little treat, great use for the cacao too.
Angel Morales
For a long runner like me this is a must to have, is delicious and the ingredients once well integrated makes the perfect recipe. Thank you very much Great job!
Helen Burdette
Made these this morning and having with a cup of tea now - perfect healthy treat and tastes great
Julie
Do You have a substitute for the oats? I want to make these but can't eat oats.
Still sounds delicious though!!
Joy Vasoodaven
My perfect substitute to chocolates during my mid-afternoon slump!
Ciara
Oops I meant to give my above comment 5 stars
Ciara
Thanks for the recipe Kate. These are just yummy. I used sea salt and it gave them a good kick to them. I would agree, need a little bit extra water to get them to stick a bit better. I think I’ll have to make a double batch next time as they are going very fast!
Katie Koteen
So glad you liked them! Definitely worth making a double batch. 🙂
Jennifer A.
I absolutely love this recipe. I did tweak it slightly but only because I'm not a huge walnut fan. I also ended up needing more water than specified to get the sticky consistency. Overall, they are a win win in my kitchen, healthy and yummy!
Katie Koteen
That's great! Would love to hear what did you swap the walnuts for... 😉
Sarah
Just wondering how long they stay fresh in the fridge and can they be stored in the freezer?
Katie Koteen
I would eat them within 5 days (refrigerator) but you could definitely freeze them and let them thaw overnight 🙂
Julie
These are delicious but looking at the nutrient breakdown is it per 1 serving (1 ball) or is the nutrient content for all 12. I’m counting calories so need to be specific thanks
Katie Koteen
Hi Julie! The calories are per ball. So 1 serving = 1 ball. Hope that helps!
Elizabeth
Tastes like I’m eating healthy! Protein! I’d like to make them for my yoga students. Simple to pop in your mouth.
Caty
I discovered this recipe last week while searching for a delicious use for my cacao powder and these yummies did not disappoint! They are a perfect post run snack for me to replenish carbs and protein. I have already prepped a double batch for the coming week; it’s so difficult not to snack on them all the time because they are so delicious! Thank you for this recipe ❤️