That Girl Cooks Healthy

  • Home
  • About Me
    • FAQ/Disclaimer
    • Privacy Policy
    • Work With Me
  • Recipe Index
  • Useful Articles
  • 7 Day Detox Juicing Meal Plan
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Home
  • About Me
    • FAQ/Disclaimer
    • Privacy Policy
    • Work With Me
  • Recipe Index
  • Useful Articles
  • 7 Day Detox Juicing Meal Plan
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Home
  • About Me
    • FAQ/Disclaimer
    • Privacy Policy
    • Work With Me
  • Recipe Index
  • Useful Articles
  • 7 Day Detox Juicing Meal Plan
×
BLANK » Recipe Index » Energy Snacks

Raw Cacao Energy Balls

June 25, 2020 by Charla 1 Comment

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
short pin energy balls
short pin energy balls

These delicious bite size energy balls made from cacao, nuts, dates, raisins, vanilla and nutmeg. They are so quick and easy to make and perfect for snacking on.

energy balls on a brown cloth

If you're a huge fan of anything with chocolate in then you;re going to go crazy for these double chocolate energy balls.

I really enjoy making my own like these Coconut Cranberry Energy Balls because I have complete control over what ingredients are included and there's the ability to explore your creative side

It's a fun filled and healthy activity that even the kids will enjoy partaking in shaping the balls and of course reaping the benefits by eating what's been made.

a row of energy balls

Is cacao vegan?

Yes, it is. Many people often mistake cacao for cocoa. When in actuality they aren't the same produce. While both produce derive from the same source, the Theobroma tree, the production is opposing.

Cacao is minimally processed so it can obtain most of its original health benefits. The cacao beans are sun dried before under going "cold pressing" to separate its fat content which is known as cacao butter.

Once the fat has been extracted from the beans the remainder is ground into cacao powder. It is pure, unadulterated with no milk content and had a strong bitter taste.

Ingredients you will need

ingredients for raw cacao energy balls

Reasons to make these energy balls

  • They are so much fun to make that even the kids will enjoy it.
  • You can make endless variations and add or omit ingredients
  • These energy balls contain natural occurring sweetness from the dates
  • Serves as a great pre-workout snack
  • So portable that you can have them on the go
  • They are super tasty just like my Tamarind Balls

How to make cacao energy balls

Steps for soaking and pulsing the dates into balls

  • Soak the dates in warm water for 10 minutes (picture 1)
  • Blitz the almonds and walnuts on high speed for 45 seconds, using a S blade. You want the consistency to be semi fine, not chunks or completely ground - somewhere in between (picture 2)
  • Add the cacao powder, salt, nutmeg cacao nibbs, raisins, vanilla and pitted dates to the nut mix (picture 3-4)
  • Process for approximately 1 minute or until a huge ball is formed (picture 5)
  • Roll the dough into miniature balls and dust in excess cacao powder (optional, not required) (picture 6)

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to soak the dates and for how long?

Yes, but only for 10 minutes, just so they have some moisture. You can alternatively add a few tablespoons at a time of water to the processor but I prefer to presoak at the initial stages.

Can I add nut butter or anything else?

Yes, I've made some suggestions below as to what you could include

Do I have to dust the energy balls with excess cacao?

Nope, that's an optional step. If you don't like the taste of raw cacao then skip this step

Can I use another type of date besides medjool?

Yes, absolutely. Medjools are extra sweet and juicy but costly and not easy to obtain for some. Substitute with another form of date if necessary.

Other variations

You can add a tablespoon or two of any of the following. Simply add the suggested item to your food processor when combining all of the ingredients together -

  • Peanut butter
  • Protein powder
  • shredded coconut
  • seed - flaxseed, pumpkin or sunflower seeds
  • Bee pollen

Energy bars: You could easily transfer this mixture into a square baking pan, lined with parchment paper. Press down firm and chill then cut into slices to make into bars.

hand grabbing the balls

Notes and tips 

  • It is essential that you use a food processor in order to make the energy balls
  • The amount of energy balls made will vary depending on the size of each ball.
  • Make sure to use "cacao" vegan chocolate powder and not "cocoa" which isn't dairy free
  • If you want to make more I would recommend making a separate batch so everything grinds down evenly.
  • The balls are freezer friendly or refrigerate and consume within a few days.
  • You can use another form of date if you can't get hold of medjools

Other recipes you may like

  • No Bake Mango Cheesecake
  • No Bake Chocolate Cheesecake
  • Vegan Sticky Toffee Pudding
  • Apple Crisp

**Don't forget to comment below and star rate if you have tried my recipes. Let's be friends and engage on Facebook and Instagram I also like to pin on Pinterest, where you can find more amazing recipes.**

energy balls in rows

Raw Cacao Energy Balls

Raw cacao energy balls that are healthy and made from scratch - vegan, paleo, dairy free and gluten free friendly
5 from 1 vote
Print Pin Rate
Course: Appetisers/Snacks
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 344kcal
Author: Charla

Ingredients

  • 1 cup of pitted medjool dates 150g
  • 2 teaspoon of raw cacao powder
  • 2 tablespoon of raw cacao nibs
  • ½ cup of almonds 75g
  • ½ cup of walnuts 60g
  • ⅛ teaspoon of vanilla powder
  • 2 tablespoon of raisins
  • ⅛ teaspoon of nutmeg
  • pinch of himalayan pink salt
  • Extra cacao for dusting optional

Instructions

  • Soak the dates in warm water for 10 minutes
  • Blitz the almonds and walnuts on high speed for 45 seconds, using a S blade. You want the consistency to be semi fine, not chunks or completely ground - somewhere in between.
  • Add the cacao powder, salt, nutmeg cacao nibs, raisins, vanilla and pitted dates to the nut mix
  • Process for approximately 1 minute or until a huge ball is formed
  • Roll the dough into miniature balls and dust in excess cacao powder (optional, not required)

Notes

  • It is essential that you use a food processor in order to make the energy balls
  • The amount of energy balls made will vary depending on the size of each ball.
  • Make sure to use "cacao" vegan chocolate powder and not "cocoa" which isn't dairy free
  • If you want to make more I would recommend making a separate batch so everything grinds down evenly.
  • The balls are freezer friendly or refrigerate and consume within a few days.
  • You can use another form of date if you can't get hold of medjools

Nutrition

Calories: 344kcal | Carbohydrates: 40g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 20g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Sodium: 76mg | Potassium: 508mg | Fiber: 7g | Sugar: 26g | Vitamin A: 55IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 85mg | Iron: 2mg
Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Mention @ThatGirlCooksHealthy or tag #ThatGirlCooksHealthy!

More Energy Snacks

  • cookies on a white plate
    Vegan Pistachio Cookies
  • A stack of chocolate cookies
    Gluten Free Chocolate Sugar Cookies
  • persimmon chips in a bowl
    Persimmon Chips
  • A white plate with a mixture of shortbread
    Gluten Free Shortbread Cookies

About Charla

I'm Charla. Caribbean foodie & Certified Health Coach. Welcome to the heaven of gluten and dairy free recipes as well as modernised healthier alternatives to some of your favourite Caribbean recipes.

Comments

  1. Joy says

    May 28, 2022 at 3:59 pm

    5 stars
    Yum! Tried making this one for my kids and they love it! Definitely recommended. Surprisingly perfect combination too.

    Reply
5 from 1 vote

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




a picture of Charla

Hey, I'm Charla!

I'm an avid Caribbean foodie. Welcome to the haven of gluten and dairy free recipes as well as modernised healthier alternatives to some of your favourite Caribbean recipes.

About me

Popular

  • 2 glasses of okra water in a glass.
    How to Prepare Okra Water

  • Stewed tofu in a frying pan
    Brown Stew Tofu

  • A stack of green pancakes with fruit
    Banana Spinach Pancakes

  • 2 glasses of mauby with ice
    Homemade Mauby Drink (Caribbean Bark Beverage)

  • 2 glasses of smoothie
    Pineapple Banana Orange Smoothie

  • two bowls of pudding with garnish.
    Quinoa Pudding (Dairy free, Vegan, GF)

As Featured In

Footer

↑ back to top

Featured In

About

  • Privacy Policy

Contact

  • Contact
  • FAQ

Copyright © 2025 That Girl Cooks Healthy

Rate This Recipe

Your vote:




A rating is required
A name is required
An email is required

Recipe Ratings without Comment

Something went wrong. Please try again.