Peanut Butter Date Balls

This energy ball recipe reminds me of a healthier cookie dough version without the need for butter or oil. To make them taste like healthy cookie dough balls, the recipe calls for dairy-free chocolate chips. The date balls are naturally sweetened with dates and flavored with vanilla extract.

Enjoy these old-fashioned oat peanut butter date balls as a wholesome snack, a healthier dessert, or a treat for your kid’s lunch box. They can even be made in advance and frozen for later. 

For an extra special treat, try chocolate-covered cookie dough bites or dairy-free chocolate peanut butter fudge. For more energy ball recipes, try carrot bliss balls or apricot bliss balls.

Recipe features

• Vegan, plant-based, dairy-free, and oil-free!
• Sweetened with dates and dairy-free chocolate chips!
• Made with rolled oats!
• No bake!
• Can be frozen for later!

Ingredient notes and substitutions

The peanut butter date ball recipe uses simple ingredients, but please see the recipe card below for the full list of ingredients and exact measurements.

Rolled oats - I use old-fashioned rolled oats for this recipe, but quick oats can also be used since they will be blended into oat flour.  

The 2 cups of rolled oats can be substituted for 2 cups of store-bought oat flour.  Measure the flour by spooning it into the cup and leveling it off with the back of a knife. You may need to increase how much water you’ll need to get the right consistency.  I needed 6 tablespoons of water for store-bought oat flour vs the 5 tablespoons of water from the recipe using old-fashioned oats (rolled oats).

Dates - I use pitted Deglet Noor dates for these date and peanut butter balls.  If your dates are not soft, soak them for 15-20 minutes, then drain.  To check if they are soft enough, try to mash them between your fingers.  If you can mash them easily, then there's no need to soak them. Even if the date container says pitted, check for pits because sometimes one or two get missed.  Weighing the dates for the recipe is the most accurate way to have the correct amount of dates.

Peanut butter - I use natural peanut butter with salt.  If your natural peanut butter does not contain salt, you may want to add a pinch of salt to the food processor when you add the dates and peanut butter.  If you use nut butter with added oils and sweeteners, it may alter the taste and texture.

I also tested with cashew butter, which was much drier than my peanut butter and didn't require any chill time for the dough to firm back up.  I haven’t tested with sunflower butter for a nut-free version, but it should work if you enjoy the flavor of sunflower butter.

Vanilla extract - Add vanilla extract to the peanut butter bliss balls to taste more like cookie dough.

Chocolate chips - Add vegan chocolate chips to also make the date balls taste more like cookie dough.  Mini chocolate chips work the best because of their size.

Tips

• Weighing the ingredients will be the most accurate way to prepare the recipe, especially with the dates.
• A food processor works best to blend in the dates and peanut butter.
• If your natural peanut butter is just peanuts, you might want to add a pinch of salt to the mixture when you add the dates and peanut butter.
• How much water you’ll need depends on how dry your peanut butter and dates are.  If your dates are dry and firm, soak them in water for 15-20 minutes, then drain.  The soaking water can be reserved to use in the recipe.
• The nut butter at the bottom of the natural peanut butter jar can be drier than the rest, so you may need more water. You’re looking for a consistency that will hold together well. 

How to make peanut butter date balls

1.  If your dates are firm but not soft, they may need to be soaked for 15- 20 minutes to soften. After soaking, drain and use the dates according to the recipe's instructions. The water can be reserved for use in the recipe. To check if the dates are soft enough, try mashing them between your fingers. If you can mash them easily, there's no need to soak them. Even if the dates say pitted, check for pits anyway.

2.  Pulse the rolled oats into a powder using a food processor.  It could take a minute or so, depending on how powerful your food processor is. 

3.  Next, add the dates, peanut butter, and vanilla extract.  Puree until the mixture resembles crumbles. This step takes less time than turning the oats into a powder. 

4.  Add four tablespoons of water.  After adding the water, blend the dough until it forms a big clump in the food processor. If it’s not coming together, then it’s too dry; add another tablespoon of water and try again.

5.  Make sure the dough comes together before adding the chocolate chips.  Pulse in the chocolate chips so they will incorporate into the dough and not make another dirty dish.  Alternatively, once the dough has formed after adding the water, you can transfer the dough to a bowl and mix in the chocolate chips by hand. 

6.  Scoop out a spoonful, use your hands to compact it, and roll it into a ball with your palms.  Refrigerate them until they’re firm and no longer sticky, which takes about 45 minutes to an hour. You can also freeze them for 20-30 minutes to set up.  Enjoy!

Storage

Store the peanut butter bliss balls in an airtight container in the refrigerator for about 7 days.  They can also be frozen in an airtight container for about 3 months.

Frequently asked questions

Related recipes

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• Oil-free vegan carrot cake muffins
• Vegan banana bars with chocolate chips

I hope you enjoy the dairy-free peanut butter bliss balls. If you do, please rate the recipe and leave a comment.