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If you love the combination of chocolate and coconut, these chocolate coconut date balls are for you! Inspired by German chocolate cake, they’re rich, naturally sweet, and made with wholesome ingredients like dates, cocoa powder, pecans, and shredded coconut.
My all-time favorite cake is German chocolate, and I can confidently say that these chocolate coconut balls capture its essence, in one blissful bite. They’re a delicious treat that’s not only delicious but also made with wholesome ingredients. For those who share my passion for the irresistible combination of chocolate and coconut, this treat is made for you.
If you love delicious and healthy energy balls, be sure to check out our chocolate strawberry balls, decadent chocolate brownie energy balls, chocolate peanut butter energy balls, easy peanut butter date balls, sweet and tangy lemon bliss balls, and carrot cake bliss balls next!
Why You Will Love Chocolate Coconut Date Balls
- Flavor: They have the delicious flavors of German chocolate cake! The combination of pecans, cocoa powder, and coconut is incredible.
- Easy: These coconut date balls are easy to make!
- Simple: You make these date balls with simple ingredients.
- Healthy: They are a delicious no bake sweet treat or snack that is great to have on hand. Plus, these date balls are gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegan!
“I made these date balls and was amazed by their rich chocolate flavor, with just the right hint of coconut. They’re a wholesome snack that feels like a treat!”
– erin
Ingredients Needed
- Dates: Use Medjool dates in this recipe. Buy them pitted or remove the pits yourself after soaking them.
- Pecans: Use unsalted pecans. Or, for another option, use unsalted cashews.
- Cocoa Powder: Use Dutch-processed cocoa powder to add rich chocolate flavor.
- Maple Syrup: Adds just enough sweetness to these date balls. You can also use sugar-free maple syrup.
- Coconut Flakes: Add unsweetened coconut flakes to the date balls for coconut flavor.
- Vanilla: A splash of vanilla extract adds flavor.
- Salt: Add a pinch of salt.
- Shredded Coconut: As an option, roll the balls in unsweetened shredded coconut once done.
Find the full measurements in the recipe card below.
Substitutions & Variations
- Pecans Substitution: The unsalted pecans add a delicious flavor to these coconut date balls. If you don’t have pecans, use unsalted cashews or walnuts instead. Or, to give these date balls an Almond Joy flavor, use unsalted almonds.
- Roll In Coconut: For a beautiful presentation and more coconut flavor, roll the date balls in unsweetened shredded coconut.
- Sweetener: Use maple syrup, sugar-free maple syrup, or honey in this recipe. You need to use a liquid sweetener so the date balls bind together.
- Add Chia Seeds: You can add one to two teaspoons of chia seeds to the recipe.
How To Make Chocolate Coconut Date Balls
Step 1: Add the Medjool dates to a heat-safe bowl and submerge them in hot water. Let them soak for 5-10 minutes to soften. Then, drain the water from the bowl. It allows the dates to blend more easily.
Step 2: Add the pitted Medjool dates, unsalted pecans, Dutch-processed cocoa powder, maple syrup, unsweetened coconut flakes, vanilla extract, and salt to a high-powered food processor.
Step 3: Pulse the ingredients in the food processor. Thoroughly pulse and blend until combined.
Step 4: Carefully remove the mixture from the food processor. Then, place it in a large bowl.
Step 5: Use a small 2-teaspoon cookie scoop to scoop the mixture and your hands to roll it into balls.
Step 6: As an option, once you form the balls, roll them in unsweetened shredded coconut. You can blend coconut flakes in a food processor into a fine powder or buy shredded coconut.
Serving Suggestions
Serve these chocolate coconut date balls at room temperature. You can enjoy them as is or roll them in shredded coconut before serving. They make for a decadent and delicious dessert or snack. Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Expert Tips
- Dates: Soak the Medjool dates in hot water to soften them. It makes it easier for the food processor to blend them up. Also, if your dates aren’t pitted, it makes it easy to remove the pits after soaking them. If you have pitted Medjool dates and don’t want to soak them, you can chop them into smaller pieces. However, I prefer soaking them because it softens them up and makes it much easier to thoroughly blend them.
- Thoroughly Pulse: Pulse and blend all the ingredients in the food processor to evenly distribute everything.
- Small Scoop: A small 2-teaspoon cookie scoop helps ensure the chocolate coconut balls are the same size.
- Serve At Room Temperature: We recommend serving these chocolate coconut date balls at room temperature. They have a stronger chocolate flavor at room temperature than when chilled.
- What Coconut To Use: Use unsweetened coconut flakes or unsweetened shredded coconut.
Storage Instructions
Store these date balls in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week. I like to serve them at room temperature. To enjoy them at room temperature, let them sit for 10-15 minutes before serving. It helps bring out the chocolate flavor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Freeze Coconut Date Balls?
Yes, you can freeze these chocolate coconut date balls! Store them in a freezer-safe bag in the freezer for 1-2 months.
Are These Date Balls Vegan?
Yes, these date balls are naturally vegan. They are sweetened with maple syrup and are made with dates, cocoa powder, nuts, and coconut flakes.
How Long Do Chocolate Coconut Balls Last?
These chocolate coconut date balls will last up to one week from making them when stored in an airtight container in the fridge.
More Recipes To Try Next!
- Chocolate Protein Overnight Oats
- Protein Chocolate Mousse
- Chocolate Mug Cake
- Dark Chocolate Hummus
- Oatmeal Chocolate Cookies
If you try this recipe please be sure to leave us a comment and star rating ★★★★★ letting us know how it turns out for you.
CHOCOLATE COCONUT DATE BALLS
Ingredients
- 6 ounces pitted Medjool dates
- 4 ounces unsalted pecans or cashews
- 2 tablespoons Dutch-processed cocoa powder
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup or sugar-free maple syrup
- 1 ounce unsweetened coconut flakes
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon unsweetened shredded coconut, optional
Instructions
- Add the Medjool dates to a heat-safe bowl and submerge them in hot water. Let them soak for 5-10 minutes to soften. Then, drain the water from the bowl. It allows the dates to blend more easily in the food processor. Or, you can chop the pitted dates into smaller pieces instead of soaking them.
- Add the pitted Medjool dates, unsalted pecans, Dutch-processed cocoa powder, maple syrup, unsweetened coconut flakes, vanilla extract, and salt to a high-powered food processor.
- Thoroughly pulse the ingredients in the food processor until combined and blended.
- Carefully remove the mixture from the food processor and place it in a large bowl.
- Use a small 2-teaspoon cookie scoop to scoop the mixture and your hands to roll it into balls.
- Optional: Once you form the balls, roll them in unsweetened shredded coconut. You can blend coconut flakes in a food processor or buy shredded coconut. Serve at room temperature, and store leftovers in the refrigerator in an airtight container.
Video
Notes
- Storage: Store leftover chocolate coconut date balls in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week.
- Dates: Soak the Medjool dates in hot water to soften them. It makes it easier for the food processor to blend them up. Also, if your dates aren’t pitted, it makes it easy to remove the pits after soaking them.
- Thoroughly Pulse: Pulse and blend all the ingredients in the food processor to evenly distribute everything.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Hello Foodie Girls, I made these chocolate coconut date balls. While I’ve had fig newton’s before (for reference of my limited fig experience) I didnt expect them to be as good as they were. I only got 12 out of the mix making them a costly 5 pt treat but the healthy boost was worth it. Both my wife and I enjoyed them over several evening coffees. We actually looked forward to them as our last daily snacks. Thanks Ladies 👍
Hi Brian, thank you so much for trying the chocolate coconut date balls and for sharing your thoughtful feedback. We’re so happy you and your wife enjoyed them! We love that they became your go-to evening treat with coffee, what a great way to enjoy them.
These chocolate coconut date balls are one of my absolute favorites! They remind me of German chocolate cake, rich, chocolatey, and full of coconut, but with a healthy twist. They’re naturally sweetened with dates and packed with wholesome ingredients for a treat that’s both decadent and nourishing. Don’t miss these healthy energy balls, they’re seriously delicious!