If you’re in a pinch for time, I have something just for you. Here’s a quick and easy gluten free cookie recipe that requires no baking. I really like making no bake (think no hassle) cookies during the hectic holidays. This one works equally well for Christmas and Hanukkah parties –and is a wonderfully healthy snack throughout the year.
For those of you who aren’t entirely in the mood for Chocolate Peanut Butter Balls and are looking for a chocolate covered peanut butter ball, be sure to see Nut Butter Cups recipe –it’s a delicious no bake, healthier candy recipe that is quite the crowd-pleaser. My husband and children devour them.
- ½ cup dates (remove pits)
- 1 cup roasted peanuts
- 2 tablespoons cacao powder
- ½ teaspoon celtic sea salt
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon water
- Place dates, peanuts, cacao powder, salt, vanilla and water in a food processor
- Pulse on high speed until smooth
- Remove mixture from food processor and roll into little balls
- Serve
This little dessert is my peanut-y version of the raw foods classic Fudge Babies, a recipe created by the wonderful Katie over at Chocolate Covered Katie.
If you like these peanut butter balls you will love my recent list of 10 Healthy Christmas Cookie Recipes!
Teresa says
has anyone tried using peanut or almond butter? are they too soft?
Chuck says
Peanuts are not Paleo. Almonds, Cashews, Walnuts, or some other tree nut YES!
Elana says
Thanks Chuck! I cover all of this in my ‘What is the Paleo Diet’ post here:
https://elanaspantry.com/what-is-the-paleo-diet/
Enjoy!
Elana
Lori says
While I make the Power Balls quite often, I just tried this one for the first time and loved it! It would be pretty rolled in finely chopped peanuts, also.
alissaks says
Awesome!! I made these this week to bring in for a holiday treat after a crossfit workout. I couldn’t believe how tasty they were since they were SO easy. After I rolled them, I chilled in the fridge for a bit and then rolled them in Enjoy Life dark chocolate chips. This is a definite keeper!
Caroline (@CarolinePaine) says
Why are they called peanut “butter” balls?
carrie says
FYI – for those of you wondering how much this makes. I got about 20 balls out of it.
samantha says
I also feel like substituting half the dates with sour cherries and upping the cacao content by rolling them in cacao nibs would be super yummy too. I’ll try it next time and let you know how it goes. x
samantha says
I just made these in an attempt to prove to a few of my colleagues that raw, gluten-free and vegan foods ARE delicious. I was a bit daunted about where to start but then I saw this. Thanks for the inspiration, I’m sure these will go down a storm! :) x
Amanda says
YUM! I didn’t have any dates on hand, but subbed with golden raisins. These are really good. :)
Krissy @ Make it Naked says
I just made these using prunes since I didn’t have any dates and they came out great.
Kate says
Totally rocked my world! And I subbed the peanuts for half cashews, half unsweetened coconut flakes. Yummy! Can’t wait to try with a load of other nut options.
Julie-Ann says
This recipe is amazing! Made them today and snuck a baggie of them in my purse into the movies (did I just say that out loud?) I can tell that I will be addicted to these, and will be making frequent batches to send with my daughter to school and in my lunch bag too. Love your whole website and only just discovered it after Thanksgiving when I surfed the net for a recipe to use up almond flour. I’ve been a wild GF chef in the kitchen ever since, using many of your recipes already.
Thank you for your great service Elana!
Julie-Ann
Noel says
1/2 tsp salt was too much for me —
I’m gonna try 1/4 tsp salt next time.
This time, to compensate, I added more cocoa and dates and some coconut oil.
Cooking Gluten-Free with Anna says
Hello, this loks like great snack recipe. I have to try it! I make a similar recipe with dried apricots, dates and some cacao. But have never added toasted peanuts. Will try!
Thanks for great GF recipes!
Anna
Valinda Holmes says
Thanks so much as my husband loves peanut butter candy. This is a great way to satisfy him with a better choice health-wise and one that tastes yummee.
I love shortbread cookies, especially since yours has pecans included.
Angeliwue says
Love those fudge babies, made them yesterday…mmmmmmm! Bet these would be good with macadamia nuts too!
Beth @ Tasty Yummies says
These look amazing Elana! I made something similar the other day – Chocolate Cherry Fudge Bites –
http://tasty-yummies.com/2011/12/20/chocolate-cherry-fudge-bites-vegan-gluten-free-sugar-free-corn-free/
I am so obsessed with these little no bake treats, so many different ways to make them!
Anastasia@healthymamainfo.com says
These look ridiculously delicious!
Mia says
This sounds quick, simple and yummy.
Thank you!
Kim Kiernan says
Do you think rolling them in coconut would work as an added festive ingredient? Thanks!
Kristine @ Busy But Healthy says
In Canada, we have this candy bar called Eat-More….and this looks exactly like them! Mmmm
Michael Koren says
Great idea!! But since I don’t do peanuts I’ll try substituting cashews walnuts and almonds!
Tammy says
I don’t do peanuts either and I was thinking that cashews would be an awesome sub too. Can’t wait to try these.
Alexis says
I was thinking the same thing…or almonds
Michael Koren says
OK – I DID the substitutions…..
AND – AFTER SOME EXPERIMENTATION – THIS IS A WINNER!!!!!
Substitute 1/2C Walnuts and 1/4C each almonds and cashews and roast on 350 for 15 minutes till they are JUST starting to brown and lost their raw taste
Substitute lemon juice instead of water – using deglet noor dates I need about 2 TBS lemon juice.
I use a little more vanilla than in the receipt and add 3-4 drops of almond extract.
IT IS AMAZING!!!!!!!!
Michael
Lily S says
I literally just made Katie’s version of these last night — she also has a chocolate peanut butter fudge baby recipe posted. They are delicious!
Chocolate-Covered Katiec says
Aww Elana, your babies are beautiful!
I just posted about chocolate peanut butter fudge babies two days ago… maybe we were making/eating them at the same time! :)
Hope you’re having a holiday season as wonderful as you are, dear friend.
Chocolate-Covered Katie says
Wow, and I spelled my own name wrong. Oops lol :-?.
angela says
These look great. We’re also baking up a storm and giving away FREE Gluten Free, healthy holiday cookbooks at http://www.homecookedhealthy.com. I’ll have to share this with my readers too. So easy & healthy – great combination.
Caren says
These sound heavenly! One Q: Should the peanuts be roasted?