Make the best healthy peanut butter balls with only 5 simple ingredients! No powdered sugar or butter needed. They’re so easy to make and absolutely addictive!
Growing up, my absolute favorite holiday treats were nanny’s crescent cookies, no-bake cookies, and of course, peanut butter balls. Clearly, I can’t resist the peanut butter and chocolate combo! After some recipe testing, I finally nailed a healthier version of peanut butter balls. Isaac even said they remind him of peanut butter cups, which is high praise in my book.
So if you’re in need of another holiday treat recipe, these balls should be added to your list. And if you’re taking them to a party, I highly recommend doubling the recipe because they’ll go fast, trust me! 🙂
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Naturally sweetened – These peanut butter balls are sweetened with medjool dates, making them a delicious treat without any added sugar.
- Simple ingredients – Just a handful of wholesome ingredients like oats, peanut butter, and dates, plus a little chocolate to satisfy your sweet tooth!
- Easy to make – No baking required! Just blend, roll, freeze, and dip for a fun, kid-friendly recipe.
- Healthy treat – Packed with fiber and healthy fats from oats and peanut butter, these are the perfect guilt-free snack or dessert.
Ingredients Needed
- medjool dates – the natural sweetness and sticky texture of dates hold everything together while adding a caramel-like flavor. My two favorite brands of Medjool dates are Natural Delights (found at local grocery stores) or Joolies, which I buy through Thrive Market.
- old-fashioned rolled oats – adds a bit of texture and fiber to balance out the sweetness.
- natural salted peanut butter – gives that creamy, salty peanut butter flavor we all love. Make sure to use a natural version for the best consistency!
- chocolate chips – I love using Lily’s chocolate chunks for this recipe. They melt perfectly and make the coating extra rich.
- coconut oil – helps the chocolate melt smoothly and gives it a nice, glossy finish when it hardens.
Substitutions
- Peanut Butter – If you have a peanut allergy or just want to switch it up, almond butter, cashew butter, or sunflower seed butter are great alternatives. Just make sure it’s the natural, salted kind for the best texture and flavor.
- Coconut Oil – If you don’t have coconut oil, butter or ghee will work in a pinch. You just need a little fat to help the chocolate melt smoothly.
How to Make
Step 1: Add dates to food processor and pulse until dates are finely chopped.
Step 2: Add in oats and pulse a few more times until combined.
Step 3: Add peanut butter and process once more.
Step 4: Scoop out the dough, roll into balls, and place in the freezer.
Step 5: Melt your chocolate.
Step 6: Dip balls into chocolate, and place in the freezer again.
Brittany’s Tips!
- Freeze before dipping – Don’t skip this step! Freezing the peanut butter balls before dipping them in chocolate makes them firm and easy to coat. Plus, it helps the chocolate set quickly, giving you that perfect glossy finish.
- Make them bite-sized – Use a tablespoon or cookie scoop to portion out the balls evenly. This keeps them uniform and the perfect size for snacking (plus, they’re just cuter this way!).
Make it a Fun Family Activity
These peanut butter balls are the perfect recipe to make with the whole family. Kids love helping out, and the best part is there’s no baking involved! Let your little ones roll the peanut butter mixture into balls—it’s sticky, messy, and so much fun.
Plus, who can resist sneaking a few tastes along the way? When it’s time to dip in chocolate, it’s all hands on deck! You can even have a mini taste test to see who makes the “best” dipped ball. Trust me, the whole family will be on board with these easy and delicious treats!
How to Store Healthy Peanut Butter Balls
Store the chocolate covered peanut butter balls in an airtight container in the fridge or freezer until you’re ready to enjoy! They should last about a week in the fridge and up to a month in the freezer.
Frequently Asked Questions
There are some great ideas for swapping the peanut butter for something like sunflower butter or even tahini. My samoa energy balls are a great option if you’re looking for a date-based recipe that’s also nut-free. I also have these sun butter energy balls and coconut protein balls that are nut-free.
The easiest way is to use a fork or toothpick to dip each frozen peanut butter ball into the melted chocolate, letting any excess drip off before placing it back on the parchment paper. Freezing the balls beforehand really helps with the dipping process!
If your date energy balls are falling apart, the dates might be too dry. To fix this, soak your dates in warm water for 10-15 minutes, then drain and pat them dry before using. The dough may seem crumbly at first, but give it a squeeze—it should come together. If it’s still too crumbly, you can add a few more dates or a small amount of water (start with 1 teaspoon) to help bind everything. Just be careful not to add too much water, as it can make the dough too wet.
When making energy balls with dates I like to use my food processor. A high-powered blender (like a Vitamix) can work to make energy balls in a pinch, but I prefer using my food processor because it chops the dates and nuts more evenly. Using a blender to make energy balls with dates can be done, but it’s kind of a pain and results in a sticky mess.
More Chocolate Peanut Butter Treats to Try
Want More Protein Balls & Energy Bites?
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Add dates to food processor or mini chopper and pulse until dates are finely chopped and form a sticky ball. Add in oats and pulse a few more times until combined. Add peanut butter and process until combined.
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Scoop out peanut butter dough by the tablespoon and roll into balls. Place balls on parchment paper. Place peanut butter balls in the freezer until firm (several hours or overnight). This step makes it easier to dip the balls into the chocolate.
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A couple minutes before taking the balls out of the freezer, combine your chocolate chips with the coconut oil and melt the mixture. Use a double boiler or microwave in 30 second increments (stirring after every 30 seconds) until the chocolate is melted.
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Dip chilled balls into the melted chocolate and roll until covered. Place back on parchment paper. Once all balls are covered, place back in freezer until hard. Store in freezer or fridge until ready to enjoy.
- Storage: These peanut butter balls will be good in the fridge for one week, or in the freezer for up to a month.
- Substitutions: This recipe works well with your favorite nut butter, not just peanut butter. And if you’re nut-free, sunflower seed butter makes for a delicious swap!
- If you don’t have a food processor and still want to make energy balls, check out my recipe for no bake energy balls or my protein balls. Neither of these recipes have dates or chopped nuts so there’s no need for a food processor.
Serving: 1ball | Calories: 198kcal | Carbohydrates: 22g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Sodium: 45mg | Potassium: 268mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 14g
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
