Mint Chocolate Date Balls Recipe
Today we are making a Mint Chocolate Date Balls recipe! Throwback to a pre-teen me, sneakily licking that ice cream off of my sugar cone. Mint chocolate chip, one perfectly round scoop, available in almost every ice cream store I had the fortune to walk into.
Although mint chocolate ice cream is great, what about the rest of the mint chocolate desserts? I feel like ice cream (and thin mints) are popular, but I’ve rarely come across any other desserts with this amazing combination. Which is exactly why I decided to make a raw bites flavor of it!
This recipe is a great way to get in a snack that gives you a healthy boost of energy! It uses wholesome ingredients, such as dates (sweetness!), walnuts and almonds, cacao powder, mint leaves, oats, pure maple syrup and vanilla.
Also, I’m talking FRESH mint here. It’s nice picking up a quick bottle of peppermint extract to use in everything you please, but also? Fresh herbs have no bounds. Your choice on what to use in this recipe, but I used fresh mint for the color too!
Why You’ll Love This Date Balls Recipe
Holiday Snack Time: This easy snack is great for a holiday recipe, but also for energy bites on the go! They have a chewy texture, a rich chocolate taste, the perfect minty complementary flavor, no added sugar, healthy fats and are bite-sized treats!
I love keeping these bliss balls on the counter and grabbing one when I get those sweet cravings.
Substitutions: Dry Ingredients
Medjool Dates: Use pitted whole dates that are very soft (like Medjool or Deglet Noor dates). You can soak them in warm water for 15 minutes if they are not already super soft, then drain the water before using. These are a great natural sweetener!
I do not recommend to use another dried fruit, because dates have a caramel-like taste that other fruits do not have. You can find dates in the unrefrigerated produce section of the grocery store.
Cacao Powder: Cacao powder is the raw, unprocessed version of cocoa powder. This can be found in the natural aisle of the grocery store, in a health food store or online (I like Organic Traditions brand). You can also use regular cocoa powder.
Almonds and Walnuts: I used both of these in the recipe, but if you only have one or the other, feel free to substitute them in for one another. You can also try to use shredded coconut, hemp seeds, pumpkin seeds or sunflower seeds for a nut-free option.
Oats: Use quick-cooking oats, which are smaller in size than rolled oats. You can substitute this for oat flour, almond meal or almond flour.
Mint Leaves: Use fresh mint leaves. If none are available, dry mint leaves may also work. I do not recommend using peppermint extract because (a) it’s very strong, one drop too many may ruin the entire batch (b) the green color of the mint will disappear! (c) the taste is artificial as compared to real mint.
Substitutions: Wet Ingredients
Maple Syrup: Use pure light maple syrup (Grade A is the lightest – it doesn’t have a strong molasses taste). Use agave syrup as a replacement, or try using dates instead. There are other liquid sweeteners, such as coconut syrup, brown rice syrup or date syrup that you can try as well.
Vanilla Extract: I prefer to use a pure vanilla extract, such as this Madagascar alcohol-free vanilla. The cheaper, diluted bottles of vanilla don’t give the best taste. You can also use a freshly scraped vanilla bean.
Date Balls Recipe Notes
- Drizzle melted dark chocolate on these bites before rolling them in chocolate chips for a triple chocolate recipe!
More Healthy Snacks & Recipes You’ll Love
Buttery Pecan Pie: This vegan pie uses a homemade coconut oil crust and a high protein (secret ingredient) tofu, raisins and pecans brown sugar filling!
Pecan & Orange Stuffed Chocolate Dates
Mango Coconut Date Balls: These are another flavor of date energy balls! This time, mango and coconut take the limelight with a tropical twist!
If you make this Mint Chocolate Date Balls Recipe, then leave a comment and star rating! Don’t forget to tag your photos @peanut_palate on Instagram. Enjoy!
Mint Chocolate Date Balls Recipe
Equipment
- High-speed blender or food processor
Ingredients
- ½ cup soft, pitted Medjool dates
- 3 tbsp cacao powder
- ⅛ tsp vanilla extract
- 3 tbsp mint leaves
- ⅓ cup dry oats
- 2 tbsp almonds
- 2 tbsp pure light maple syrup
- ⅓ cup raw walnuts
- pinch pink salt
- mini vegan chocolate chips or raw cocoa nibs optional, for rolling
- pinch of sea salt, chia seeds optional add-ins
Instructions
- Place dates and all other ingredients, except the chocolate chips for rolling, in a high powered blender or food processor.
- Blend until a dough forms. Remove the dough from the blender and roll into 8 balls.
- Place the balls on parchment paper in an airtight container. Enjoy!
Notes
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Storage
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days or in the refrigerator for 1-2 weeks.
