These easy, no-bake Date Nut Balls can be drizzled with chocolate as a healthier "candy" during the holidays or as date energy bites all year round! Chewy and crunchy, they taste similar to pecan pie balls with just 3 ingredients: dates, pecans, and chocolate.
Did I mention you don't have to soak the Medjool dates AND they are less than 100 calories each?
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I am obsessed with these… and so is my husband! He eats them without the chocolate on top as midday energy balls to get him through the long work day.
Dates are so good for you!
When you eat them together with pecans and a little dark chocolate, you get the perfect balance of natural sweetness, fiber and vitamins from the dates, healthy fats from the pecans, and antioxidants from the chocolate.
We eat them all year round, and sometimes I skip the chocolate drizzle step. We treat them more like energy bites with dates, just like my no-bake peanut butter energy bites, as a midday pick-me-up.
For a little extra protein, just add a little powdered protein when you blend them together.
Date Balls aren’t my only option if you’re looking for healthy recipes with pecans. Roasted pecans and Dark Chocolate Pecan Clusters are two more favorites that are both quick and nutritious. Enjoy them all together if you're looking for dessert board ideas.
Shortcuts
- Just 3 ingredients – These date bites with pecans have only dates, pecans, and chocolate in them! No extra fillers or binders needed!
- No-bake recipe – You don’t have to turn on the oven to enjoy a sweet holiday treat. The food processor does most of the work for you.
- Drizzle instead of dipping – It adds a pretty finish without all the extra work of completely dipping them.
Ingredients
Here’s everything you’ll need to make this easy pecan date balls recipe.
Scroll down to printable recipe for exact ingredient quantities.
- Medjool dates – Check for pits and stem ends carefully, even if the package says “pitted.” Sometimes one slips through. Biting down on a pit can ruin the treat!
- Chopped pecans – Don’t forget to save some for garnishing the tops. If you buy them in bulk, store them in the freezer or fridge to keep them fresh.
- Semisweet chocolate – You can also use milk chocolate, but it may make the balls too sweet. Dark chocolate, on the other hand, adds a slight bitterness that balances the flavors and has antioxidants.
Tip: Medjool dates are a variety of large dates that are dried without any added sugar and usually contain no refined sugar. Be sure to read the label on packages of dried, chopped dates. They are usually coated in sugar and not what you want for this recipe.
Substitutions & Variations
- Nuts – Other nuts to try in place of pecans are almonds, walnuts, peanuts, cashews and even brazil nuts!
- Coconut Bliss Balls - Add ¼ cup unsweetened grated coconut to the date-pecan mixture, then roll them in coconut to make the popular bliss balls snack.
How to make the best Date and Nut Balls
Scroll down to the bottom for the printable recipe with detailed instructions.
- Pit the dates and remove the stem ends.
- Next, pulse them with pecans in a food processor until the mixture holds together.
Tip: If the mixture is crumbly and not rolling into a ball easily, add additional dates, one at a time and blend until it holds together. Dates vary in size and dryness.
- Roll into tablespoon-size balls and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet. I like to use a 1-tablespoon-size cookie scoop, then roll them in balls.
- Melt chocolate (I used an electric chocolate melting pot), then spoon it over each ball so it drips down the sides. A simple chocolate-dipping tool (or even a fork) makes this step easier.
- Sprinkle with extra pecans, if you like, and chill until set.
Pro Tip
Chill your date bites before coating, then let them rest in the fridge while you melt the chocolate to help them firm up. The cold date balls help the chocolate firm up faster.
I find Medjool dates on sale at places like World Market, TJ Maxx, and Home Goods. Grocery stores like Aldi also have them at a good price.
Your friends and family will love getting these date "candy" balls as a food gift for Christmas or Valentines Day in place of candy full of refined sugar.
They are so easy to make, you can also give them as a healthier alternative in a cookie swap during the holidays.
How to Store
Store these chocolate covered pecan pie bites in an airtight container in the fridge or in a cool room. They’ll stay soft and chewy and fresh for up to two weeks in the refrigerator or in a cool room for 5 to 6 days.
Medjool dates are large, soft fruit that are usually sold dried and used in recipes as a natural sweetener (no refined sugar) or chewy ingredient. They are grown in warm climates like the Middle East and California.
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Want more easy pecan recipes?
Date Nut Balls (with Pecans)
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Ingredients
- 12 large dried pitted Medjool dates (6 to 8 ounces)
- 1 cup chopped pecans, plus more for garnish, if desired
- ½ cup semisweet or dark chocolate chips (4 ounces)
Instructions
- Make sure all the dates are pitted and stem ends are removed. Add the dates and pecans to a food processor or heavy duty blender; pulse until dates are smooth and pecans finely chopped.
- Roll into balls, using 1 tablespoon of the mixture for each ball. I like to use a 1 tablespoon-size cookie scoop for this step.
- Place the balls on a cookie sheet lined with wax paper or parchment paper.
- Melt the chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl for 30 seconds at a time on HIGH, stirring in between, until melted and smooth. I used a chocolate melting pot this time.
- Drizzle the chocolate over the top of the date balls.* If using a candy dipping tool, place the ball on the tool, drizzle or pour the chocolate over the ball, then slide the coated ball back onto the parchment paper.
- Immediately sprinkle a few finely chopped pecans on top, if desired.
- Chill until firm to the touch.Store in an airtight container or in the fridge for up to 2 weeks or in a cool room for 5 to 6 days.
Notes
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- Nuts – Other nuts to try in place of pecans are almonds, walnuts, peanuts, cashews and even brazil nuts!
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- Coconut Bliss Balls - Add ¼ cup unsweetened grated coconut to the date-pecan mixture, then roll them in coconut to make the popular bliss balls snack.
Nutrition
Nutrition analysis on GritsAndGouda.com recipes are mostly calculated on an online nutrition calculator. I am not a dietitian and nutritional information is an estimate and can vary based on products used.
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