These healthy date truffles are delicious, rich and chocolatey. Chocolate date balls are made with all nutritious ingredients. Dates add sweetness (no refined sugar!), nut butter gives a fudgy texture, and cocoa provides an intense dark chocolate flavour.
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What you'll love about the recipe
- Healthy date truffles are easy to make with just 4 ingredients
- Made with no refined sugar, chocolate date balls are also dairy free, gluten free and vegan. You can also make a nut-free version if needed
- A satisfying chocolate treat that is low in saturated fat
Ingredients
Dates. I used a block of cooking dates to make these healthy truffles. These are ready stoned and chopped, and they are a much cheaper way to buy dates. However, you can use whichever type of dates you prefer and remove the pits (stones) yourself.
Peanut butter, or you preferred nut butter. This adds a gorgeous fudgy richness to the truffles and also provides healthy fats and protein. Nut butter is used as a healthy dairy free alternative to the cream or butter that you'd usually find in chocolate truffles.
If you want to make healthy date truffles without nuts, use tahini as a replacement for nut butter. Tahini is made from sesame seeds and will provide a similar fudgy richness in the recipe.
Unsweetened cocoa powder provides a dense dark chocolate flavour. Cocoa powder is a healthy ingredient, high in antioxidants and also a good source of fibre.
I also like to add an extra coating of cocoa powder to the truffles as it gives a lovely velvety finish.
Vanilla extract adds extra sweetness which complements the flavour of the chocolate.
Variations
As an alternative to vanilla extract, you could also use almond extract, or a little finely ground coffee powder. Or add some ground spices such as cinnamon or cardamom which both go well with chocolate.
You could also make orange-flavoured chocolate date truffles with a little grated orange zest.
How to make healthy date truffles
This simple healthy chocolate truffle recipe is quick and easy to make.
Add the chopped dates to a heat-proof bowl and cover with boiling water. Leave to soak and soften for 10 minutes.
Drain the dates in a sieve to remove all of the soaking water. Press lightly with the back of a spoon to ensure all of the water has drained away.
Add the drained dates to a food processor or blender, along with the peanut butter, cocoa and vanilla extract. Blend well until the mixture is completely smooth.
Using a teaspoon, divide the mixture into 10 roughly shaped balls. Then gently roll each ball between the palms of your hands until smooth.
Either place the rolled truffle balls on baking paper, or a plastic lid as I did!
If you want, you can add a coating of cocoa to the outside of the chocolate date balls which makes them look pretty.
Put a couple of teaspoons of cocoa into a cup or small bowl. Then one by one add the truffles to the bowl and gently spin around until they are fully coated.
Recipe tips
If you don't have a food processor or blender, you can still make these chocolate date truffles. Use a pre-made date paste in place of dates in the recipe. A good date paste should only have one ingredient - dates!
Warm the peanut butter gently in a pan to soften it, then stir in the date paste, cocoa and vanilla if using. Mix well and make into balls as per the recipe.
Serving and storage
Store your healthy date truffles in the fridge for up to a week. I prefer to serve them slightly chilled as I think it enhances the fudginess:)
Chocolate date truffle balls are perfect served as a healthy no bake mini-dessert or energising treat at any time of day. The combination of fibre-rich dates with healthy fats and protein makes these a satisfying (and delicious!) bite sized snack.
Of course, they'd also make a lovely homemade gift:) If you want to make them look super special, you could coat them in dark chocolate (see here for detailed instructions on how to melt dark chocolate if needed).
Frequently asked questions
Yes, these date truffles freeze well. Either seal in a re-closable bag or place them in an airtight container and freeze for up to 3 months.
Yes, you can make date truffles without a food processor. Use a good quality date paste rather than whole dates, and warm the nut butter slightly so that it is easier to mix.
Yes, these date truffles are healthy and nutrient-dense. They are made without cream or refined sugar and each of these satisfying snacks has just 88 calories.
Other healthy no-bake treats
You might also like these other no-bake mini desserts and snacks. They are all easy to make with just a few simple healthy ingredients.
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Recipe
Healthy Date Truffles
Equipment
- Food processor or blender see notes if you want to make truffles without a processor or blender
Ingredients
- 150 g pitted dates
- 2 tablespoon peanut butter
- 2 tablespoon cocoa powder plus extra for rolling if desired
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Add the chopped dates to a heatproof bowl and cover with boiling water. Leave to soak for 10 minutes.
- Drain the water from the dates. Lightly squeeze with the back of a spoon to ensure all the water has drained away.
- Add the soaked dates to a blender or food processor along with the peanut butter, cocoa and vanilla extract. Blend well until completely smooth. If necessary, scrape down the sides of the food processor and re-blend.
- Using a teaspoon, divide the mixture into 10 roughly shaped balls. Then shape each ball between your hands. Place the truffle balls onto baking paper or a plastic surface.
Optional
- Add a couple of teaspoons of cocoa powder to a small bowl or cup. Add the truffles one at a time and spin them around in the bowl until they are evenly coated.
- I like to chill the truffles, but they can also be eaten at room temperature.
Notes
- To make these truffles without a food processor or blender, use a pre-made date paste in place of dates in the recipe. Warm the peanut butter gently in a pan to soften it, then stir in the date paste, cocoa and vanilla if using. Mix well and make into balls as per the recipe.
- As an alternative to vanilla extract, you could also use almond extract or a little finely ground coffee powder. Or add some ground spices such as cinnamon or cardamom which both go well with chocolate.
- You could also make orange-flavoured chocolate date truffles with a little grated orange zest.
Nutrition
Please note nutritional information is per serving and is provided for guidance only.
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