Vegan Chocolate Truffles

These easy vegan, sugar-free, and gluten-free almond date chocolate balls are made with just 4 ingredients! They are the perfect energy-boosting snack or healthy dessert.

This satisfying little snack takes just 5 minutes to throw together. They keep for several days, even weeks. Make a large batch and store them in your refrigerator or freezer for an easy grab-and-go snack or dessert any time.

These healthy chocolate date balls are made with just a handful of ingredients. If you don't have a food processor blender, you can still make them. Kids and adults will love this healthy treat to satisfy sweet cravings.

If you're craving chocolate, also try my homemade Carob Bars!

Why You'll Love These Chocolate Date Balls

No bake chocolate date balls are the perfect sweet treat. You will find many variations of date balls, but here are a few reasons why these are my favorite.

• Convenient: They are packable and are a great snack for on-the-go. You can store them in the fridge or freezer for a convenient option.
• Only 4 simple ingredients: Made with just four wholesome ingredients, these little bites are a great quick and easy alternative to store-bought snacks.
• The perfect flavor combination: Chocolate and nuts is always a great combination. This easy recipe packs a lot of flavor. You can even adapt them to suit your taste.
• Healthy snack: With no refined sugar and just four healthy ingredients, date balls are an easy snack you can feel good about eating.

Ingredients and Substitutions

These almond and chocolate date balls come together with just 4 ingredients. See the recipe card below for the full measurements and instructions.

• Almonds: I toast the almonds to enhance the flavor of the truffles. You can buy already toasted almonds. If you don't have a food processor or blender to process the almonds, you can purchase almond flour. This will speed up the process. You can also substitute with another type of nut like walnuts or pecans. Or use sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds for nut-free.
• Medjool Dates: These are the perfect natural sweetener. Dates are great for making vegan chocolate balls because they help form the balls and sweeten them naturally without refined sugars. If you can't find Medjool dates at your local grocery store or health foods market, you can use prunes, raisins or dried figs.
• Cacao Powder: Always choose cacao that is pure, natural and unsweetened. Cacao is an antioxidant and helps to satisfy the desire for chocolate.
• Ground Cinnamon: I love adding cinnamon to the truffles to enhance the cacao flavor. It also helps add a natural sweetness to the truffles. If you don't like cinnamon, then you can omit it or substitute with vanilla extract.
• Vanilla Extract (optional): If you want to customize the flavor of the date balls, you can add pure vanilla extract or orange zest.

How to Make Date Chocolate Balls

This recipe comes together in just a few quick steps. Make this healthy vegan snack anytime!

1. Toast the almonds: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Place the almonds on a baking sheet and bake for 10 to 12 minutes, until golden brown and fragrant. Allow the toasted almonds to cool completely.
2. Grind the almonds: Once the almonds are completely cool, place them in a blender or food processor. Pulse until you achieve a fine flour.
3. Add the dry ingredients: Add the cacao powder and cinnamon and blend for a few seconds. Transfer the mixture to a large bowl. (If you're using almond flour, simply mix together the almond flour, cacao powder and cinnamon in a large bowl.)
4. Add the dates: Add the pitted dates to the bowl and use your hands to break up the dates and mash the mixture together into a homogenous dough.
5. Form the truffles: Use a spoon or 1-inch cookie scoop to form the dough into 1-inch balls.
6. Chill the truffles: Place the truffles on a plate or storage container and chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes until firm.

Recipe Tips and Variations

• The dates should be soft: If your dates are not soft, then soak them in water for 10 to 20 minutes so that they are easier to blend. This helps to ensure that the balls don't dry out.
• Finely chop the nuts: Make sure that the nuts are finely chopped into a fine flour as this will allow them to combine with the other ingredients easier.
• Dry date balls: If the chocolate ball mixture is a little dry, add a teaspoon of water and mix until combined.
• Make a double batch: If you are serving a crowd, or just want to make extras to have on hand, you can easily double or even triple the recipe to make a larger batch.
• Add chia seeds: If you're looking for extra texture, protein or fiber, add a small amount of chia seeds to the mixture.
• Salty flavor: If you like the combination of cacao and salt, you can add a little sea salt to the mixture.
• Coat the date balls in coconut: If you love chocolate coconut flavor, you can coat the chocolate date balls in unsweetened shredded coconut for more texture and flavor. Alternatively, you can roll the balls in more cacao, chopped almonds, or mini chocolate chips.
• Drizzle with dark chocolate: If you are looking to elevate the flavor of these date balls even more, you can drizzle melted dark chocolate over the balls. Let the melted chocolate harden before serving.

Storage and Serving

Store the chocolate date balls in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 7 days for optimal freshness.

To freeze, store in a freezer bag or freezer safe container for up to 3 months. Enjoy them frozen right from the freezer or allow them to thaw for 5 minutes.

These date balls work well as an edible gift for sharing with friends. You can wrap them in a nice gift box to deliver to family and friends for any occasion.

Other Desserts Made with Dates

Dates are a great way to sweeten desserts. Try a few of my other favorite recipes made with dates.

• Date Bars - creamy date filling sandwiches between an oat crust and topping!
• Gluten Free Alfajores - a healthy twist on the classic alfajores cookie.
• Vegan Caramel Slice - chocolate, date caramel and a cookie tart layered to create a delicious treat.