Sesame Date Balls

Craving a satisfying snack that’s both healthy and delicious? These simple sesame date balls are a perfect choice! Requiring only four ingredients and minimal prep, they offer a sweet, slightly nutty treat that’s ideal for a guilt-free energy boost.

A bowl holds several date balls, with more date balls behind it and several dates too.

If you love date-sweetened treats, try these Vegan Chocolate Truffles.

My Take on the Recipe: I’m completely hooked on date balls! They’re a constant staple in our house because they’re the ideal pick-me-up. Not only are they super simple to make, but they also banish those sugar cravings with a naturally sweet and satisfying flavor.

These coconut date balls are sweet, but they’re free of processed sugar, and they scratch that itch for sweet snacks during the day. Like any sweets, it’s hard to eat only one, so make plenty.

Ingredients & Substitutions

You can find the full printable recipe, including ingredient quantities, below. But first, here are some explanations of ingredients and steps to help you make this recipe perfect every time.

Here are the ingredients you’ll need for this recipe, including substitution ideas:

  • Medjool Dates: Seek out soft and plump Medjool dates for the best flavor and texture. If they’re dry, soak them in warm water for 10 minutes before blending.These are easily found in the produce section.
  • Almonds & Walnuts: You can use either raw or roasted nuts. Toast them lightly for a deeper flavor. Grocery store bulk bins or baking aisles are stocked with choices.
  • Ground Flaxseed: Adds a nutritional boost and helps bind the mixture. Look for it in the baking aisle or with the health food options.
  • Unsweetened Coconut Flakes: Opt for unsweetened flakes for a refined sugar-free snack. Check the baking aisle for these.
  • Sesame Seeds: Sesame seeds add a subtle crunch and delightful nutty flavor.White or black seeds work well and are often found in the spice aisle.

Note: I buy most of these products at Costco because it’s more economical.

A mound of Medjool dates sit in a glass bowl on a white counter.

Which Dates are Best?

Medjool dates are the star of this recipe, so choose wisely! Look for dates that are:

  • Plump: They should be soft and have some give to them.
  • Slightly Wrinkled: Wrinkles indicate natural sweetness.
  • Free of Mold or Crystallization: Avoid dates with white spots or a sugary coating.
Looking down on several date balls on a white table.

What Makes This Recipe Shine?

  • Party Favorite: These date balls disappear fast – a great addition to snack boards or dessert spreads.
  • Crowd Pleaser: A hit with kids and adults alike, their wholesome ingredients offer a satisfying snack for everyone.
  • Filling & Healthy: The perfect balance of dates, nuts, and seeds offers a filling snack packed with healthy fats and fiber.

You might want to check out my Peanut Butter Energy Balls too. Lots of great flavors!

Paleo Energy Bites with Dates

So, you have options when it comes to making date balls. You can use a syrup like agave nectar. That’s what I did with my Red Velvet Energy Bites. You can also use dates.

The good news is that Medjool dates are OK on a raw diet, a Whole30 diet, and a Paleo diet.

Once processed in the food processor, dates become sticky just like syrup. That stickiness means dates are a great binder. It’s one reason my caramel date sauce is so delicious!

I love using dates in my energy balls and I hope you will like it too!

Marly’s Tips

  • Texture Control: For smoother date balls, process the mixture longer. Prefer a little more texture? Pulse for less time.
  • Sweetness Hack: Add a pinch of salt to enhance dates’ natural sweetness.
  • Storing Leftovers: Extra date balls can be frozen for longer storage, just thaw before serving.
  • PB Goodness: Transform these into peanut butter date balls by substituting 1/4 cup peanut butter for the walnuts.

What are the Benefits of Eating Dates?

Dates are a great way of reducing refined sugars in your diet. Besides, dates are rich in plant-based nutrients like fiber, iron, potassium, and protein.

Each date ball has around 112 calories, making them a nutrient-dense treat. We love date energy balls made with almonds and walnuts! I recently made a Sugar Cookie Energy Bites recipe that made its way into Costco Magazine. How fun!

More Energy Balls

If you love these sesame date balls as much as we do, you might want to try your hand at some new and different flavors. Here are more energy ball recipes to try:

A hand holds a date ball above a bowl full of more of the treats.

That’s it for these energy date balls. Enjoy!

A hand holds a date ball, rolling it in sesame seeds.

Energy Date Balls

These sweet and nutty date balls are filled with wholesome ingredients, offering a naturally sweet and satisfying treat.
5 from 8 votes
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes
Servings: 20 balls
Calories: 103kcal

Ingredients

  • 2 cups medjool dates chopped
  • ½ cup raw almonds
  • ½ cup walnuts
  • 2 tablespoons ground flaxseed
  • ½ cup coconut flakes , unsweetened
  • 2 tablespoons sesame seeds for rolling optional

Instructions

  • Add dates, almonds, walnuts, ground flaxseed, and coconut flakes in a food processor. Pulse for several seconds, then remove the lid and use a spatula to push ingredients down the side of the bowl. Continue this process until a fairly consistent texture is achieved.
    Oatmeal, dates, and walnuts in a food processor bowl.
  • Roll the batter into balls and roll balls with sesame seeds.
    A hand holds a date ball, rolling it in sesame seeds.
  • Keep date balls stored in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 5 days.

(The products above contain sponsored links to products we use and recommend)

Notes

If your dates are firm, be sure to soften them up first. Remove the pits and chop into pieces and then place them in a microwave-safe bowl and heat in 10-second increments until tender. Be careful, dates can get very hot very quickly!
Calories: 103kcal | Carbohydrates: 13g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Sodium: 1mg | Potassium: 161mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 22IU | Calcium: 32mg | Iron: 1mg

The nutrition information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator and should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

This post was originally published in 2010 and was updated to include new photos, new text, and an updated recipe in 2024.

14 Responses to Sesame Date Balls

  1. Avatar thumbnail image for MarlyCody from Terrain Reply

    Marly, thanks so much for the recipe and for posting on foodgawker! I tried these yesterday and they were absolutely outstanding. I made a few minor adjustments: no coconut (none on hand at the time, but will add when I make them again) and used raw almonds for nuts, added a teaspoon of cinnamon. I pulsed everything in the processor together, and it was great. After shaping, I rolled them in about 1 cup of pistachio nuts that I pulsed finely with two tablespoons of cocoa powder. Wonderful treat! Posting your link to share with everyone. Great, versatile recipe. Thanks!

    • Avatar thumbnail image for MarlyMarly

      Wow! Your changes to the recipe sound delicious! I can’t wait to check out your version on your site. Hope you have pics!!!

  2. Avatar thumbnail image for MarlyNicole Reply

    5 stars
    yumyum, I still have dates,…mh…. but I think next thing on the shopping list would be a food processor 🙂
    ChopChop – thanks for the idea!

    • Avatar thumbnail image for MarlyMarly

      I guess you could do a lot of chopping, but a food processor does make things a little easier. They do make the little mini ones that are not too expensive.

  3. Avatar thumbnail image for Marlyfooddreamer Reply

    These do certainly look delicious! Good for you for deciding to cut down on sugar. I’ve recently been forced to do the same because of pre-diabetes. I am not what you’d think of as a typical diabetic…slender, fit, always ate healthfully. Like you, I love to bake, and there ain’t no way I am giving that up! But I’ve found a number of ways to modify my recipes for myself and my family, to make more healthful things that still feel like treats. And I still bake some serious goodies, because everyone needs to indulge once in a while!

  4. Avatar thumbnail image for MarlySarah Reply

    YUM! I will have to make these! I’ve been making homemade Larabar-type snacks as of late, and they’re so much better and cheaper. Nice work! 🙂

  5. Avatar thumbnail image for Marlyjoudie's Mood Food Reply

    These look good. dates are so good for you and i would like to have not one, but many right now!

  6. Avatar thumbnail image for MarlyPaula Reply

    I would like to try one of these 🙂

  7. Avatar thumbnail image for MarlyMonet Reply

    These remind me of larabars (which I love). I need to start making these at home though. So much more affordable. Thank you for sharing love. I hope you have a wonderful Labor Day weekend.

  8. Avatar thumbnail image for MarlyGrace Reply

    5 stars
    I love dates! Never really use them in anything other than date squares, this will be a great alternative. Beautiful pics Marly! I have a feeling these are very addictive.

  9. Avatar thumbnail image for MarlyKristen Reply

    These sound good. Really good.

  10. Avatar thumbnail image for MarlyStella Reply

    Hey Marly! I remember you mentioning these at some point. I’m so glad you posted them, as I’ve seen recipes like this before. But never with cocoa and coconut-that sounds awesome! I’m going to try them…
    p.s. Thanks for mentioning me here-it makes me feel good that you appreciated my post. It makes me feel even better though that you called me your ‘friend’. Score (smile)!

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