Peanut Butter Date Balls: No Bake & Grain Free

I’ve got a new snack for you that checks all the boxes: naturally sweet, no-bake, made with real ingredients, and just the right amount of chocolatey goodness.

These Peanut Butter Date Balls are a staple around here—whether it’s an afternoon pick-me-up, a lunchbox treat, or something to keep the hanger away while you’re getting dinner ready. Bonus: they’re grain-free, gluten-free, and totally free of weird additives.

If you like this Date Ball, you’ll love my Double Chocolate Cherry Energy Ball.

Why You’ll Love These Date Balls

✔️ Naturally sweet – thanks to dates
✔️ Easy to make – no bake, no fuss
✔️ Grain-free & gluten-free
✔️ Kid-approved (and mom-approved, too)
✔️ Perfect for grab-and-go

What’s In Peanut Butter Date Balls?

These little bites are made with just a handful of whole-food ingredients.

Medjool Dates

No added sugar needed with these gems. There is a reason they call them Nature’s Candy. Medjool dates have a caramel like flavor with a chewy texture. And the health benefits will make you want to have a bag on hand for snacking:

• Contain magnesium and potassium which supports heart health.
• High in fiber making it helpful in digestion.
• Naturally sweetened providing a sustained energy boost.
• Contain antioxidants which help protect cells from damage & reduce inflammation.

To remove the pit out of medjool dates, with a knife make a slit lengthwise in the date. Pry open the date and remove the pit (and stem).

Peanut Butter

Creamy and satisfying, this butter is loaded with protein. Opt for natural or nut butters with no added oils or sugar.

Cocoa powder

100% cocoa powder is the way to go for that rich, chocolate flavor. Dutch processed cocoa powders contain potassium carbonate. Although the FDA says potassium carbonate is safe to eat, it is also used to make soaps and glass.

Potassium carbonate is put into cocoa powder to reduce the acidity of the cocoa and creating a more balanced flavor. I think straight up cocoa powder tasted just as good.

Almonds

Almonds are a powerhouse ingredient packed with healthy fats, plant-based protein, and fiber—a trio that helps keep you satisfied and energized. They’re also rich in vitamin E, a powerful antioxidant, plus important minerals like magnesium and calcium. Almonds support heart health; help balance blood sugar and add a satisfying crunch.

Chia & Flax Seeds

These tiny seeds add big-time nutrition. They’re loaded with fiber, which supports digestion and helps keep you feeling full longer. They also pack in omega-3 fatty acids, which are great for heart health and reducing inflammation. Plus, they provide a plant-based boost of protein, antioxidants, and important minerals like magnesium and calcium.

Vanilla & Pinch of Salt

Vanilla brings your sweets to life. Be sure to buy pure vanilla, as the imitations have synthetic flavorings, colors, and preservatives.

A pinch of salt makes the sweetness of the dates, become a little bit sweeter.

That’s it. No syrups, no fillers, no grains, no protein powder.

How to Make Date Balls

Unlike all my Energy Ball recipes, for these Date Balls, you will need a food processor. It does the best job in breaking down those chewy dates.

1. Throw all ingredients in food processor.
2. Pulse until ingredients come together. If you like the nuts to be chunkier, don’t pulse as much. If you like a smoother texture, pulse awhile.
3. Roll into bite-sized balls.

Rolling the Balls

If you have a small cookie scoop, these work the best for scooping out the balls. Or a spoon works too.

Substitutes

There are lots of ways to switch this recipe up. Whether you don’t like an ingredient or you just want a different date ball than before, here are some other options:

Cocoa– Sub out the cocoa for a favorite spice. But it’s definitely not equal parts. Use a teaspoon of cinnamon, pumpkin spice, turmeric, or ginger.

Peanut Butter– Any nut butter can be swapped for peanut butter. I love using almond butter.

Seeds– Hemp seeds, sunflower seeds, or pumpkin seeds.

Date Ball Add Ins

These naturally sweetened gems are fantastic as is. However, if you make these all the time and need a change up, here are some options:

• Orange zest
• Cacao nibs or mini chocolate chips
• Coconut

More Energy Ball Recipes

So if you’re looking for a quick, wholesome snack that feels like a treat but fuels like real food—these Peanut Butter Date Balls are it. With just a few simple ingredients and no oven required, they’re always ready to roll (literally). I hope they make snack time a little easier and a whole lot tastier. Let me know if they make it into your weekly rotation—I love seeing your creations!

Thanks for reading along. I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as we do. If you would like more healthy recipes like this one sent right to your inbox, please sign up for my Recipe Drops. They’re always FREE.