Chewy No Bake Coconut Date Energy Balls
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These energy balls are the perfect healthy afternoon snack! They’re super chewy and loaded with coconut and dates making them a delicious and easy homemade hiking snack too.
These energy balls are:
- chewy and sweet
- no-bake
- full of coconut (calling all coconut lovers!)
- simple to make
- easy to pack for a hike or camping trip
Let’s dive into the recipe!
Energy Ball Recipe Ingredients
This energy ball recipe is very simple – it only requires 6 common kitchen ingredients!
- Dates: Medjool dates add that sticky chewy sweetness that we all love in energy balls. Make sure you don’t buy the pre-pitted dates. They’re more dried out and not as sticky as the dates sold with the pit. Make sure to remove the pits before you add them to the food processor!
- Oats: This recipe uses old-fashioned rolled oats.
- Coconut: Coconut adds flavor and fat to these energy balls so they keep you full while you’re hiking. Shredded unsweetened coconut is what you want for this recipe.
- Maple Syrup: Maple syrup add a little more sweetness. You can substitute honey if that’s all you have, but I slightly prefer the taste with the maple syrup.
- Coconut Oil: This adds some fat and coconut flavor to the energy bites.
- Salt: I like to use this sea salt. After all, I live near the Great Salt Lake in Utah!
How to Make Energy Balls
Luckily, these energy balls are quick to whip up.
You’ll need a food processor, but that’s about it.
Step 1: Add the pitted dates to the food processor and process for about 1-2 minutes until the dates break down into small pieces.
Step 2: Add the rest of the ingredients into the food processor, and process for another 1-2 minutes until the mixture crumbles and everything is well incorporated. See the photo below.
Notes: You do not want to over-process this mix or you’ll lose texture in the final energy balls and they will be mushy. The mix should easily form a ball, but it shouldn’t stick to your hands too much.
Step 3: Roll the mixture into 8-10 bite-sized balls and place in an airtight container in the fridge. They will firm up in the fridge.
For Hikes: For hikes, grab a few energy balls and store them in a stasher bag in your backpack for an easy snack on the trails!
Chewy No Bake Coconut Date Energy Balls
Ingredients
- 8 Medjool dates pitted*
- 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
- 1/2 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
- 2 Tbsp maple syrup honey also works
- 1 Tbsp coconut oil room temperature
- 1/8 tsp salt
Instructions
- Add the pitted dates to a food processor and pulse until the dates break down into smaller pieces. About 1-2 minutes.
- Add in oats, coconut, maple syrup, oil, and salt.
- Process until the mix turns crumbly and everything is well incorporated. About 1-2 minutes. The mix should stick together when you form a ball, but it shouldn’t stick to your hands. Do not over-process or you’ll lose texture in the final energy balls.
- Roll into 8-10 bite-sized balls and set them in the fridge to firm up. Enjoy! These will keep well for about 5-7 days.
- For hikes, grab a few energy balls and store them in a stasher bag in your backpack for an easy snack on the trails!
Notes
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Camp Cooking Starter Kit
Printable camping recipes, a gear checklist, and a camping meal planner so you can go camping with confidence and good food!
How to Store Homemade Energy Balls
These energy balls with dates and coconut will keep well in the fridge for at least 5-7 days. Mine never last that long though!
I store them in an airtight container in the fridge until I’m ready to take them on a hike or have a mid-day snack.
Storing these energy balls in the fridge will make them firmer than if you store them at room temperature. Either is fine, it just depends on what texture you prefer.
More Homemade Hiking Snack Ideas
Make sure to check out some of the other easy homemade hiking snacks on the blog:
I hope you love this easy snack recipe.
When you make them, come back and leave a comment! I’d love to hear from you.
