These Chocolate Coconut Date Balls are one of my favourite things to make for quick, easy and convenient snacks. They’re the perfect blend of sweet and chewy and are made with simple wholefood ingredients.
Remove seeds from dates and soak in hot water for 5 minutes. Drain off any water using a strainer and press out excess moisture from dates. (this is important otherwise the bliss balls will be too wet)
Add the oats to a food processor or high speed blender and blitz for a couple minutes until it turns into a coarse powder.
Add the cocoa powder, peanut butter and dates to the food processor and blitz until combined (about 1 – 2 mins)
Roll mixture into 9 even sized balls, and then roll each on in coconut to finish.
Store in the fridge in an air tight container. They will stay fresh for 7 days.
Notes
Type of Dates: You absolutely have to use Medjool Dates for these Chocolate Coconut Date Balls. Why? Because they are softer, juicer and have more caramel like texture and taste than other date varieties. These dates help to create the perfect sticky, chewy date ball that holds together with just the right amount of chocolate kick. 200 grams was about 12 large dates.
Dates should be at room temperature before beginning this recipe as it reduces soaking time so that you can get these babies made a whole lot quicker!
Soaking Dates: Its important to press out all the water from the dates after soaking, otherwise your mixture will be to wet too roll into balls
Mixture too Wet: Add extra oats and blitz again.
Mixture too Dry: Add a tablespoon of tap water at time to loosen
No Food Processor? Soak the dates as per the recipe and mash into a paste with a spoon. Instead of buying big oats that need blitzing, but quick/instant oats instead. Add everything (except coconut) to a large bowl and mix together with spoon or hands until all combined and shape into balls.
Freezing: Pop them into a freezer friendly container for upto 6 weks. Let them defrost naturally before eating.