If you love brownies but want a snack made with wholesome ingredients, these Chocolate Brownie Energy Balls are the perfect treat. They have the rich, chocolate flavor of brownie bites with a soft, fudgy texture, but they're made with simple ingredients like dates, almond flour, cocoa powder, and almond butter.
These no-bake bites come together in minutes using a food processor, making them an easy snack to prep for the week. Because they're naturally sweetened with Medjool dates, they taste indulgent, but they're made without refined sugars or junk. They're a great option to keep in the fridge for when those sweet cravings hit! And if you love these, make sure you try my no-bake chocolate peanut butter balls, another quick recipe that's perfect for meal prep and afternoon cravings.
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Why You'll Love These Chocolate Brownie Energy Balls
These energy balls are popular for a reason. They're quick, satisfying, sweet, and incredibly chocolatey.
- Tastes like brownie bites
- No baking required
- Naturally sweetened with dates
- Made with simple pantry ingredients
- Vegan, dairy-free, and gluten-free
- Perfect for meal prep snacks
The combination of cocoa powder and dates creates a dense, chewy texture that makes these bites feel almost like a soft brownie.
Ingredients
These brownie bites are made with simple ingredients you may already have in your kitchen.
- Almond flour - adds structure and healthy fats
- Medjool dates - naturally sweeten and bind the mixture
- Unsweetened cocoa powder - provides deep chocolate flavor
- Shredded coconut - adds subtle texture and helps balance moisture
- Almond butter - helps the mixture blend into a smooth dough
- Water - hydrates the cocoa powder and improves texture
- Vanilla extract - enhances the chocolate flavor
- Salt - balances sweetness and deepens the cocoa flavor
How To Make Chocolate Brownie Energy Balls
These are simple to make and come together in just minutes with a food processor.
Step 1: Add all of your ingredients to the bowl of your food processor.
Step 2: Process until the mixture is a thick dough that sticks together when pressed.
Step 3: Take a small amount of the dough and roll it between your hands until a ball forms.
The Secret To Their Brownie-Like Texture
The magic of these brownie energy balls comes from the combination of dates and cocoa powder.
Dates provide natural sweetness and create a sticky base that holds the mixture together. Cocoa powder delivers deep chocolate flavor, while almond butter and a small amount of water help hydrate the mixture so it becomes soft and fudgy instead of crumbly.
The result is a dense, chewy snack that tastes surprisingly similar to brownie bites.
Tips for the Best Energy Balls
Use soft Medjool dates
Soft dates blend more easily and help the mixture stick together. If your dates are firm or on the dry side, soak them in hot water for 5 minutes before processing.
Adjust the moisture if needed
If the mixture feels dry, add a teaspoon of water or chilled coffee at a time until it holds together.
How to Store These Brownie Balls
These energy balls are perfect for meal prep and store well.
Refrigerator
Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to two weeks. They'll lose moisture over time, so I usually eat them within a week. You can leave them at room temperature for 15 minutes to warm up before eating.
Freezer
Freeze in a sealed container for up to 3 months. Allow them to thaw for a few minutes before eating.
Frequently Asked Questions
Energy balls made with ingredients like dates, nuts, and cocoa powder can be a nourishing snack. They provide natural carbohydrates, fiber, and healthy fats that help keep you satisfied.
A food processor works best for breaking down the dates and creating a smooth dough, but a high-powered blender may also work.
Yes, cashew butter or peanut butter can be used in place of the almond butter. Just be aware that it will alter the taste a bit.
More Desserts to Try
Chocolate Brownie Energy Balls
Ingredients
- 1 cup almond flour
- 1.5 cups medjool dates about 15 dates
- 1.5 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- ⅓ cup shredded unsweetened coconut
- 2 tablespoon oily almond butter
- 2 tbsp warm water or coffee
- a pinch of salt
Instructions
- Add all of the ingredients in to a food processor or high powered blender.
- Process until a thick dough forms.
- The mixture should stick together when formed in to a ball. If it doesn't, try adding in another splash of water.
- Form the mixture in to 15 balls.
- Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.
Taylor says
Is it correct that this recipe requires 1.5 cups of cocoa? I just tried making it was incredibly powdery. So excited to hear back and hopefully make these!
Lyndsay Homme says
Sometimes this can happen if the dates aren't moist enough. Can you try to add 1 - 2 tablespoons of warm water? That should help to moisten them up and make them stick together. I hope they turn out for you!
Blake says
I don’t know what I’m doing wrong but they are not getting sticky….ive added soooo many more dates than the recipe called for and its still won’t roll into a ball.
Lyndsay Homme says
oh no! Did you use medjool dates, and were they moist and sticky? If they were on the drier side you could try soaking the dates in hot water for a few minutes. If you've already mixed everything you can try adding a splash of water and blending again. I hope they turn out for you!
Lucille Ray says
Hi Julie, I live in CT., but once a week I work in Newton, Mass. There's a Pressed Cafe at 300 Needham Street in Newton. Pressed currently has seven locations, three in New Hampshire and three in Mass. A Chelmsford Mass Cafe is "coming soon." My go to is the Spanish Vegan Burrito and the Detox Juices. I've now added the coconut ball as a yummy protein treat. You forgot that rum is added to the recipe. Not certain how much, but it's not overpowering.
Milk Free Mom says
I think you're right, there may be rum in the ones at Pressed. The ones I've made are a different version, but inspired by those delicious treats!
Julie says
This 7 g protein for the whole lot and not each individual one, correct? They were very delicious!
Milk Free Mom says
Hi Julie, the 7g protein is for 1 serving. The recipe makes 8 total servings. So glad you liked them!