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Date protein balls are an easy, no-bake snack made with almonds and naturally sweet Medjool dates, blended in a food processor and rolled by hand. They’re soft and satisfying, designed for real-life snacking like lunchboxes, pre-workout fuel, or an afternoon pick-me-up. You can add protein powder for an extra boost, but these hold together and taste great without it. They’re freezer-friendly too, which makes keeping a batch on hand simple.
If you’ve ever found yourself grazing through snacks and still feeling hungry, these date protein balls solve that problem in a very real way. The combination of almonds and dates gives them staying power, so they actually feel satisfying instead of just sweet like cookies. I’ve tested these as a grab-and-go snack, a post-practice bite for the kids, and something quick to grab between meetings, and they work in every scenario. They are the perfect bite!
Why You’ll Love These Date Protein Balls
One thing I love about these protein date balls is how flexible they are. You can keep it simple, or add a scoop of vanilla protein powder when you want more protein without changing the texture. Plus, they’re prepped and ready in 15 minutes, making them a super easy make-ahead snack.
That’s the same approach I use with other snack recipes like these Cranberry Almond Energy Bites, Peanut Butter Oatmeal No Bake Bites, or Peanut Butter and Jelly No-Bake Snack Bites, which are also staples in our house.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Here’s what goes into these date protein balls and why each ingredient matters. Got extra dates? Use them in these Date Granola Bars next!
- Almonds form the base of the recipe. They add structure and help the balls feel filling instead of flimsy or overly soft. You also could use walnuts or pecans.
- Medjool dates provide natural sweetness and act as the binder that holds everything together. The fresh dates soft texture is key to getting the right consistency. Make sure you use pitted dates.
- Desiccated coconut adds subtle texture and flavor inside the balls, and an extra coating on the outside keeps them from sticking while adding a little chew.
- Vanilla extract rounds out the flavor and keeps the cacao and dates from tasting flat.
- Cocoa powder gives these a rich, chocolatey note without turning them into a dessert-style snack.
- A pinch of salt balances the sweetness and brings out the flavors.
- Vanilla protein powder is optional. It boosts protein but isn’t essential for structure or taste. You also can use chocolate protein powder in its place.
How to Make Date Protein Balls
- Step 1: Add the almonds, Medjool dates, desiccated coconut, vanilla extract, cacao powder, salt, and optional protein powder to a food processor.
- Step 2: Blend for a few minutes, stopping as needed, until the mixture comes together into a slightly sticky dough. It should clump when pressed between your fingers.
- Step 3: Scoop about a tablespoon of the mixture at a time and roll it into a ball using your hands. Place each ball on a plate as you go. Roll each ball in extra desiccated coconut to coat all sides.
- Step 4: Transfer the balls to an airtight container and store them in the fridge or freezer.
If snacks like this are your thing, you’ll find plenty more ideas in my easy snack recipes collection. Everything there is designed to be practical, family-friendly, and easy to prep ahead.
Recipe Tips
- If you find that your dough isn’t sticking togther you can add 1 to 2 teaspoons of honey or as much as you need to create a sticky dough. Mine dough never needs this but it is a good choice if yours needs it.
- If you find the dough hard to use you can chill the dough in the refrigerator after mixing. Chill the dough in the refrigerator for about 20-30 minutes. This makes it easier to roll into balls and helps them hold their shape better.
- You can add chia seeds or flaxseed into the date protein ball mixture.
Storage and Make Ahead Tips
These date energy balls are ideal for prepping ahead. Stored in the fridge, they keep well for several days and stay soft and easy to grab.
In the freezer, they last longer and are perfect to pull out as needed. Let frozen balls sit at room temperature for a few minutes before eating so they soften slightly.
Recipe FAQs
Yes. The protein powder is optional. The almonds and dates provide enough structure and flavor on their own.
Absolutely. My kids love them in lunchboxes and as an after-sport snack. Just be mindful that they contain nuts.
Yes, Medjool dates work best because they’re soft and sticky. If your dates are dry, soak them briefly in warm water, and pat dry before using.
These are soft and chewy date coconut balls, not crunchy or baked. If you’re expecting a dessert-style protein ball, this recipe will feel more like a nourishing snack.
I’d love to hear how you use these medjool date protein balls. Do you keep them simple or add protein powder for an extra boost? Leave a comment, rate the recipe, or share how they fit into your snack routine.
More Snack Ideas
Smoothies
Banana Date Smoothie
Vegetarian
Frozen Greek Yogurt Fruit Bites
Vegetarian
Easy Date Granola Bars
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Easy Date Protein Balls
Video
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup almonds
- 1/2 cup medjool dates
- 1/3 cup desiccated coconut, plus extra for coating
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 Tablespoons cacao powder
- Pinch of salt
- 1 Tablespoon vanilla protein powder, optional
Instructions
- Put all ingredients into a food processor and blend for a few minutes until everything has come together into a slightly sticky dough.
- Roll a tablespoon of the mixture at a time into ball and set aside on a plate.
- Dip each ball into a bowl of desiccated coconut to coat every side.
- Put balls into an airtight container and store in the fridge or freezer.
Notes
- If you find that your dough isn’t sticking togther you can add 1 to 2 teaspoons of honey or as much as you need to create a sticky dough. Mine dough never needs this but it is a good choice if yours needs it.
- If you find the dough hard to use you can chill the dough in the refrigerator after mixing. Chill the dough in the refrigerator for about 20-30 minutes. This makes it easier to roll into balls and helps them hold their shape better.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Thanks for sharing a useful blog on Easy Date Protein Balls. You mentioned the tasty and healthy ingredients and gave instructions, which will help to prepare it at home easily. It is healthy and delicious. I like your blog and also prefer organic products. Keep up the new and innovative work! I look forward to more of your posts.
This came together so well! I made a few small changes just to use up the ingredients I wanted to use. Didn’t have coconut but I added chestnuts and dried cranberries. So so good! You don’t want to over process them so check your progress as soon as the ingredients are no longer hard/loose in the processor bowl.
I am so glad you enjoyed these! Love the idea of adding chestnuts.
I needed to add quite I bit of extra wet ingredients to make this come together. 2 spoonfuls almond butter and 1 spoonful honey. In the end i was able to make it into balls!
I wonder how these would turn out if I used almond flour instead of grinding up almonds? My food processor isn’t the best, but I do have almond flour… thoughts? Maybe I’ll just give it a whirl and see what happens!
I think you could try it and see! Let me know how it works.
Hi Julia. These are great! Any chance you have the nutritional breakdown per ball?
I don’t – sorry! But you could enter it into a fitness tracking app or website and try to get the nutritional breakdown that way. Sorry!