This scrumptious, dairy free, gluten free, vegan, super transportable snack is a power bar in the form of balls. What I love most about it though is the flavor –they taste like raw cookie dough!
This recipe came from a comment on an older post left by Karen; it is also similar to another recipe that many people mentioned on that post as their fave recipe, called Fudge Babies. Since these have just a tad sweeter than Fudge Babies, we were joking around, calling them Fudge Children, and Fudge Adolescents.
- 1 cup dates (remove pits)
- 2 cups walnuts
- ½ cup chocolate chips
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon celtic sea salt
- 1 teaspoon water (if necessary)
- Place dates, walnuts and chocolate in food processor
- Pulse on high speed until the texture of coarse gravel
- Pulse in vanilla and salt (if necessary, add water so that dough forms a big ball)
- Form mixture into one inch balls
- Serve
I don’t often discuss nutrition, however, a bunch of readers have pointed out recently that just about all of the recipes on this site are not only gluten free, they are dairy free as well –like these yummy power bar balls.
If you are looking for more delicious gluten free, dairy free snacks and desserts that are quick and easy to make, check out my new book Gluten-Free Cupcakes. I am obsessed with the ease of the dairy free recipe for Flourless Chocolate Coconut Cupcakes as it has only 5 ingredients; topped with my dairy free Vegan Chocolate Frosting and you’re off to the races! The book is coming out today, so those of you that pre-ordered
Here are more yummy recipes for gluten free bites, bars and balls you might enjoy:
–Raw Chocolate Brownie Bites from Carrie at Ginger Lemon Girl
–Granola Oatmeal Cookie Bars from Kim at Cook It Allergy Free
–Power Balls by AndreAnna at Life as a Plate
Sharron Arnold says
Agave syrup is extremely high in fructose. This syrup may be a good alternative sweetener, but the fructose negates its health benefits. Fructose is processed by the liver, and turned into FAT. Surely there is another alternative to this?
christina says
These look wonderful. I was wondering, if you soak the nuts or seeds first to remove phytates and make digestion easier, will they still keep well? I’m concerned about spoilage.
narelle says
Is there a substitute for dates? As I am on a sugar free diet (candida) I can’t have dried fruit. Does anyone have any suggestions?
Sharron Arnold says
Maybe dried apricots would work though still watch the sugar levels…
oja says
Hi Elana,
Love your recipe.My husband n I are just starting on a grain-free diet and he is miserable at the moment from all the breads and rice that he misses. Love that i could now cook something that is still so delicious and healthy and fits our diet.
Quick question, how do you store these power balls? will they last a trip hiking outdoor?
many thnks..
Enid Barnes says
I made the chocolate power bar balls for my 2-year-old grandson’s Hallowe’en party. They were a huge hit with the kids and adults! I decorated them with little orange skulls on top. I also replaced an equal amount of raw almonds for the walnuts. Next time I will also try adding coconut and coconut extract. These are definitely a keeper!!
Rebeca @ The Average Parent says
I planned to make these with pumpkin seeds (we are nut free) and dates, but when I went to grab the dates I realized someone had eaten them all. So, I ended up using dried cranberries instead. I had to increase the fruit and choco ratio because the seed flavor was rather intense…but over all, I used your concept and couldn’t be happier. I can only imagine the limitless possibilities with other dried fruits and seeds (or nuts if you’re not allergic). I think I’ll try cherries and hemp seed next.
Thanks for the great idea!
RolyPoly says
This recipe is perfect! I saw it this morning and I had to get the ingredients and make them tonight. My husband said I should put an alarm around them; we couldn’t stop eating them ;-)
Joan Viers says
I love the fudge balls – thanks
Katrina says
These sound delicious! Looking forward to making these :)
Brenna Kater, the Oceanskater says
I made these with unsweetened baking cocoa discs from Trader Joe’s, and 1 cup pumpkin seeds instead of 2 cups walnuts. No added sugar of any sort, and very good!
Wendy Bussell says
This was truly an inspirational recipe!
I had no chocolate on hand or dates so I used dried cranberries and dried apricots. then my youngest proceded to roll them in coconut. Absolutely amazing! Thanks for the links and the inital ideas and for encourging us to try it our own way and share it here. You are a blessing!
The Newlywed Chefs says
A perfect treat before (and after) a workout!
Alta says
Yum! I love making various date -sweetened “balls”. These sound great.
kathy says
I think I just found my new go to sweet snack!
Nicole Smith says
I made these tonight but I used raisins and a combo of peanuts and cashews since that was all I had and it turned out great! Just a bit too raisin-y! Thanks for the recipe…oh and I added some flax seeds!
Kelli says
These are insanely good! I wouldn’t mind if you did a week of power ball recipes!
boeddhamum says
hello Elana,
these power balls look gorgeous, I must try them soon.
I want to thank you for your amazing recipes, you’re a big inspiration for me. I made sesame-oregano crackers this weekend, thanks to your great recipes: http://boeddhamumglutenfree.blogspot.com/2011/04/sesame-crackers-sesamcrackers-gf-df-sf.html
greetings from Rotterdam, Linda
Lisa Bowden says
I LOVE these! My whole family says they are delicious! I made them with almonds and semi-sweet chips. Definitely a go to when I have a chocolate craving. Thanks so much!
Mary says
Your book came today and look what we made!! :-P
http://juniorglutenfreechefs.blogspot.com/2011/04/cupcakes.html
Dayna says
I made these for dessert this evening. Seven out of eight of us loved them! My meat-and-potatoes, junk-food-junkie fifteen-year-old son was the one that said they’re so-so. The rest of us were thrilled with them!
Eri says
Elana,
These were really good, I made them yesterday as soon as I saw it. My boys loved them, too. Thanks!
P.S. I am still waiting for your cupcake cookbook to arrive here… I pre-ordered last year but Amazon didn’t ship it out till yesterday…
Paula says
I made these today. YUMMY! My mother used to have a similar recipe she called “date balls” which I loved growing up. The only changes I made were 1. I couldn’t find dark chocolate chips so I used a candy bar and broke it up and 2. I rolled them in unsweetened organic coconut at the end. Amazing! Thanks again for all you do!
Charlotte Moore says
Yeah!!! I just got my new Cupcake Cookbook and the Almond Flour Cookbook. What I have read sounds sooooo good!!!
Shellina says
I love this idea- they look delicious! And who can resist chocolate- I mean really.
Nice job. :)
Kelly- 18 Hour Kitchen says
I just made these; you’re right, they do taste like raw cookie dough! I subbed half dried cherries for half the chocolate, so I get cherry and chocolate in every bite. So good! Thanks for sharing!
Catherine S. says
Hey Elana! I just wanted to give you a heads-up that your link to “fudge babies” doesn’t actually go to the recipe. Here’s the correct link for ya:
http://chocolatecoveredkatie.com/2009/10/13/make-these-now/
Fudge Babies are INCREDIBLE! They taste like candy and have saved my sanity while I’ve been on a diet… I can still have chocolate! :)
Mary in Boston says
Hey Catherine, did you see that Katie has a ton of other Fudge Baby flavors, not just the chocolate? Check this out:
http://chocolatecoveredkatie.com/baby-making
You won’t be sorry LOL!
Traci says
I left a comment at Whole9Life as well to let them know, as they credited another blogger for Katie’s recipe! If you haven’t checked out Katie’s blog, totally do so! She’s vegan, but MANY of the recipes are also super paleo-friendly (and delicious)!
Kim (Cook It Allergy Free) says
These look amazing, Elana! So simple, but totally healthy! I am going to make these in the morning and maybe bring some on the plane for this weekend! Thanks for linking to my granola bars, by the way! ;)
xo
k
Jill says
I am so excited to try these!!!!! But I am even more excited that your new cupcake cookbook just shipped out to me yesterday, cannot wait!!!!!
Dayle says
Elana,
I was so excited to get your book in the mail today! My nine year old daughter whisked it away before I could open the cover! We are going to have so much fun baking! Thank you for all your work in creating beautiful, healthy food for us!
Dayle
AmyGrace says
Got my cupcake book in today. I am so stoked and ready to do cook!
Jen @ keepitsimplefoods says
Love these! I actually make something very similar, but I like to coat them in white chocolate! ;)
Tina says
Could you tell me if these need to be refrigerated?
Thanks!
Angie says
I have been looking for a recipe for snack balls like this…my friend used to make something very similar but was always perfecting the recipe and wouldn’t share it till she was done.lol These have fewer ingredients..maybe I’ll share this one with her!
carrie @ gingerlemongirl.com says
Thank you so much for the link love Elana!! :-) I love little raw brownies/ power balls like this! They are so easy too!
Kari says
These look fabulous. Mark Sisson has a “ball” recipe in his new cookbook as well that is to die for! For this I would recommend a touch of coconut oil instead of water to help hold it all together. Especially since you can then refrigerate them and they will firm up for better transport. I look forward to trying these. For those wanting other nuts options, macadamia nuts are a good choice too, at least for part of the recipe.
And to answer others questions, You will notice Elana said these are vegan, so no, there is no casein in the specific brand of chocolate she uses, Dagoba.
Kayla @ Fitter Than Choc says
Lately, I have been crazy over snack balls like these – yes, they are so convenient and easy. I’ve made some using dried mango, sunflower seeds, cashew nuts, and dates and they are wonderful. I would imagine these to be awesome too! There’s no way anything with chocolate, walnuts and dates can go wrong:) I’d certainly love to try these!
I believe these snack balls would be really heavenly when rolled in shredder coconut too:)
Yvonne says
I would think that the chocolate chips have casein?
Jeanette says
The Enjoy Life brand of chocolate chips are dairy, gluten, refined sugar and soy free.
I usually make these guys with cacao powder instead anyway, since the dates are sweet enough on their own.
Terris says
This looks wonderful Elana. My family does a lot of hiking and backpacking so we are always looking for allergy friendly recipes to snack on when out on the trail. I will definitely be giving these a try!
AndreAnna from Life as a Plate says
Thank you for linking my balls, my love.
(Sorry, couldn’t resist.)
These look awesome. I love walnuts and chocolate together.
Sandra says
Thanks, Elana!
I’m going to try this recipe with raw cacao powder.
susan says
sandra ~ they will be great with raw cacao powder! that is how i make them. my family does not like walnuts so i use almonds or a combo of hazelnuts and almonds. can also be rolled in coconut.
great, healthy snack!
Ginny says
When you use cacao powder, do you use the same measurement (1/2 cup)? Or less?
Kristen says
How could I not want to make these? Easy and sounds yummy! I think I will have to make a batch tonight. :)
debi riley says
these look so yummy, thank you!! cant wait to make these
Samantha Angela @ Bikini Birthday says
Using dates as a base, you can really make an endless combination of ingredients for all different flavoured energy bars.
My favourite is dates, rosemary, sea salt, and dried cranberries.
Beth Patterson says
Samantha–
What a good idea–I’m going to experiment with dates as the base…thansk for the inspiration!
Tracy says
Looks fantastic!!! I am pulling out th food processor now!
Sunnie says
Do you have any suggestions for substutions if someone is allergic to nuts of any form?
Tressa R says
Can you do seeds? You could try using pumpkin, sunflower and sesame seeds.
Maegan says
We do date nut balls all the time ,grinding up nuts and seeds. Plus we’ve used dried fruit in some or we leave out the choc. chips and do cocoa or cinnamon instead.
Linda says
Sunnie, I have used sunflower seeds for similar recipes and they work great. I am confident you could sub sunflower seeds for these power bar balls of Elana’s as well. This is one that even calls for sunflower seeds and it’s quite delicious. http://www.nourishingmeals.com/2010/01/cinnamon-sunflower-truffles.html
Dawn-Marie Valdron says
I am confused about chocolate/chips listed at a high percentage of cacao.Are they gluten/casein free as my son’s diet requires? So far I will only chance Enjoy Life chocolate chips but they are expensive and not easy to find.
Nicole Smith says
I use Gevalia chocolate chips and they are really comparable priced to regualar chips such as Nestles and they are vegan so no casein in them, they do use soy though. Hope that helps!
mindee says
Have the same issues with Dagoba chocolate chips- they are NOT dairy or caesin free. I use only Enjoy Life as well. was really disappointed that Elana and other amazing gluten free chefs haven’t picked up on this when claiming dairy free but using Dagoba chocolate chips (yes, even the 73% ones have dairy). Unless there is some special type of Dagoba 73% that whole foods doesn’t carry- but even the ones linked on amazon have dairy. Sigh.
Marianne UK says
I can only get ground almonds which I think is too coarse a texture for cakes and would love coconut flour but very expensive and not easy to source
Tressa R says
I make my own almond milk and then I dry the left over almond pulp. I grind it again in the blender and it makes pretty fine almond flour. :)