As I mentioned in my post on Wednesday, I’ve found my newest obsession in homemade coconut butter. After trying it on toast and then stuffed in dates however, I was at a loss as to what to do with the rest of it. Sure, I could continue to eat it like that, or straight from the jar, but I wanted something different. Which is where these Nut Free Coconut Date Energy Balls came in.
Balls, bites and bars have been all the rage recently but I’ve been mostly immune. Aside from these Coconut Mocha Cookie Dough Balls, I haven’t really experimented with them. I do occasionally make balls at home and my go to is a combination of peanut butter, oats, maple syrup and chocolate. If I’m feeling really wild, I’ll switch out the peanut butter for some other kind of nut or seed butter. #livingontheedge
In my defence, I much prefer baking and baked goods, especially in the winter. So, elaborate energy balls weren’t really on my radar over the last couple of months. But, now that it’s summer and I’m all about no bake/frozen snacks and desserts, I figured it was time to stretch my energy ball creativity muscles.
Since coconut butter is similar to nut butter in texture, it made sense to swap the two. Plus, coconut butter is basically just processed coconut meat or shredded coconut, so it contains a good bit of protein, fibre and other good for you nutrients. Despite that, I wanted more nutritional bang for my balls with some other mixins. But, of course, I couldn’t actually decide on what to add, so I went with a little bit of everything.
These Nut Free Coconut Date Energy Balls are dairy free, gluten free and free of refined sugars since they’re sweetened with dates. I rolled mine in more shredded coconut, ground flax seeds, hemp seeds and chia seeds, but you can customize them with whatever you have on hand. Or, skip the add ons altogether since they’re delicious on their own.
- 1 cup pitted dates, soaked and drained if dry
- 1½ tbsp coconut butter, softened in the microwave
- ½ cup rolled oats
- 1 tbsp unsweetened shredded coconut
- more coconut, ground flax, chia seeds and hemp seeds for rolling
- Pulse dates in food processor until soft and broken down
- Add coconut butter, rolled oats and shredded coconut and process until everything comes together and forms a ball
- Use your hands to form the dough into smaller balls. I made about 8, but any size is fine
- Roll balls in desired toppings and store in an air tight container in the refrigerator or freezer, or eat right away
- If storing in freezer, allow 5 minutes to defrost a little before eating
Want more nut free recipes? Try this one:
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What about you?
Are you a fan of energy balls? What’s your favourite flavour combo? Have you tried making them with coconut butter?
Share in the comments below!
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O I love the different coatings! So Fun!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine recently posted…Friday Finisher 5/29/15
It was! It’s a toss up whether I had more fun making these or eating them haha
YES to being a huge fan of energy bites! Not only because of how easy and versatile they are, but because they’re made with good-for-you ingredients and they taste pretty amazing. I need to pick me up a baggie of hemp seeds, though… I love the flavour they add!
Amanda @ .running with spoons. recently posted…. at a glance – may 2015 .
I’m running low on hemp seeds too because I’ve been putting them on EVERYTHING recently. They’re seriously good.
I love energy balls! I had never thought to make them with coconut butter… but first I think I need to actually make your homemade coconut butter so I can try! Anything with chocolate is typically my fave!
Cassie @ Almost Getting it Together recently posted…Now Trending – Best Links Week of 5.25
Let me know how the coconut butter making goes for you!
I love this! So creative with the toppings – I like the idea of making a big batch and varying the different mixins so you don’t get bored but you are still saving time.
YuM
Same! Although I don’t know about saving time, cuz I ate them way too quickly and had to make more the next day haha
YUM!!! Ok – first step: make my own coconut butter. second step: make these babies! Weekend to-do list has officially begun!
Nicole @ Fitful Focus recently posted…Blogiversary Bash Giveaway!
haha glad to supply weekend inspiration 😀
Love energy balls as long as they don’t have shredded coconut in them. It’s a texture thing. I’ve never tried coconut butter but I”d like to.
jill conyers recently posted…Cinnamon Spice Pancake Muffins
I know what you mean. I’m weird about texture too, but I love coconut too much not to enjoy them haha
But, you should definitely try the coconut butter either way, Jill!
Yay! :D! I love all the different coatings–those are all my standard go-to’s! :]! I’m not entirely sure I can pick a favorite flavor combination, but I tend to love the coconut + hemp seed ones! :O
Farrah recently posted…Foodie Friday: Banana Pecan Muffins
Coconut + hemp seeds is a match made in heaven 🙂
Um, YUM! You know I love energy balls, these look amazing! Thanks so much for linking up with us!
Annmarie recently posted…NAKD Bars Review + Giveaway!
Thanks Annmarie! And thanks for hosting 😀
Hi Giselle,
Wow what a great and healthy snack. I love the idea of the different toppings for a change of flavor. Thanks for sharing on Real Food Fridays. Pinned & twitted.
Marla recently posted…Real Food Friday #90 – Living A Healthy, Natural and Organic Lifestyle
Glad you like them Marla, and thanks for hosting!
These look fab! I’ve got to try this coconut butter thing because I want to make these bites :).
Jenny D recently posted…Fudgy Rhubarb Brownies
Thanks Jenny!
p.s. Even if you don’t make the bites, you need the coconut butter in your life. So good 😍
ooh how creative those do look pretty yummy! Thanks for linking up!
Deborah @ Confessions of a Mother Runner recently posted…Strawberry Shortcake with Banana Cream
Thanks Deborah, and thanks for hosting!
Love this Giselle, and love the rolling afterwards, so clever, and I bet they taste delicious, I am gonna pin this right now 😀 YUM! Thanks for linking up with us for meatless mondayy 🙂
Tina Muir recently posted…Meatless Monday- Goats Cheese & Grilled Vegetable Quesadillas
Glad you like them Tina 😁 And thanks for hosting!
Wow, those look amazing! We were just talking about coconut at my house–when I was a kid, my mom never served coconut because she hated it. Of course, now, I can’t get enough of it. I always kid her about how she deprived us….
Wendy@Taking the Long Way Home recently posted…Turn this thing around!
LOL my mom was the same way about things she didn’t like. I didn’t have pickles until I was in my teens cuz she was not a fan. Weirdly enough I hated it too, but still haha
I love the taste of coconut butter in energy balls and the different additions to roll the balls in makes them look really appealing. It’s time I had another go at energy balls!
Corina recently posted…Rhubarb and Fromage Frais Frozen Hearts
You should try them Corina! They’re really good & the coconut butter is amazing :)👌
Love these! For some reason I suddenly LOVE dates. Like can’t get enough.
Laura @ Sprint 2 the Table recently posted…Back to Reality
That happened to me last year! I’d always been a bigger fan of prunes but last fall I suddenly started craving dates. Not that I mind tho lol
These look like the perfect snack. I’ve been immune to ball making as well, but I think I’m going to have to break the fast and try these out! Since giving up sugar, it’s been challenging to find good mid day snacks that are nutritious and free of refined sugars.
Pragati // Simple Medicine recently posted…Spicy Indian Chickpeas | Channa Masala
Dates are an awesome way to get unrefined sugars. So even if you don’t try these you should make something with dates!
OMG you are genius! i need you to come teach me all your nut free tricks! pinning! delish
Haha you know you are the master at energy ball/bite making. But thanks! 🙂
Holy delish! These look great and I love that they’re so easy to make! I have a bad habit of eating a lot of bars because they’re quick and easy. I really should start making energy balls/bites of my own. Glad I can pin this one and come back to it! 🙂
Beth recently posted…Do You Make These 4 Summer Running Mistakes?
You should def try making your own Beth! It’s generally healthier, but aside from that you can make flavour combos you prob won’t find in the store. Win-win 🙂
And thanks for pinning!
HELP! I really want to make tree nut free energy bites for my son who happens to be allergic to cashews and pistachios. When I look for dates and figs for the energy bites, they all come from a facility that processes tree nuts.:/ Where can I find “tree nut free” dates or figs?
Sara recently posted…Lessons learned from occasionally going meatless
Hi Sara, the brand I used wasn’t tree nut free since I don’t have a nut allergy. But, I did some research I found a brand that is (https://www.madeinnature.com/). They have dried fruit including dates, and in their FAQs they specifically state that their dried fruit is tree nut free.
If you aren’t able to find those, dried apricots can usually be used as a substitute for dates in most energy ball recipes. Prunes are also a good substitute as well. I’m not sure if allergy friendly brand for those are any easier to find, but it may be worth a look.
Hope this helps!
I love this recipe. Thanks for sharing and I have also bookmarked on my desktop. Keep sharing!
What an awesome recipe, you gotta love the convenience of energy balls! Dates are the perfect binding ingredient if nut butter can’t be used, especially plump medjool dates! We’ve got some tips on how to make energy boosting pregnancy bliss balls if you’d like to check it out here! https://ayoubs.ca/blogs/news/how-to-make-energy-boosting-pregnancy-bliss-balls
Ayoub’s Dried Fruits and Nuts recently posted…Everything You Need to Know About Dried Figs