If you like Samoas cookies, you'll love these chocolate coconut date balls! They taste similar to Samoas with flavors of toasted coconut, sweet caramel-like dates, and rich chocolate. They're easy to make with five simple ingredients, and no baking is required.
These coconut date balls are delicious any time of year. They're perfect if you need a sweet treat in the warmer months but don't want to turn the oven on, and they also make great gifts during the holidays.
I created these in my quest to eat less refined sugars while still enjoying the sweet treats I love. After falling in love with Chocolate Dates (they taste similar to Snickers!) I just had to create more similar recipes using whole, nourishing foods. These balls use ingredients like dates and coconut, which are high in fiber and have a lower glycemic index than other sweets. They're a great way to curb those sweet cravings instead of cookies full of artificial ingredients and processed refined sugars. And if you like little bite-sized treats like these, make sure you try my Chocolate Peanut Butter Balls. They taste like peanut butter cups, but they're so much healthier.
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Ingredients for Chocolate Coconut Date Balls
You only need 5 simple ingredients to make these; Medjool dates, unsweetened shredded coconut, chocolate chips, vanilla extract, and a small pinch of salt (see the recipe card below for quantities and instructions).
- Medjool Dates -I buy whole dates and pit them myself because I find them to be more moist and sticky, which helps hold these balls together. They have a delicious caramel-like flavor that lends lots of sugary sweetness to the recipe.
- Unsweetened Shredded Coconut: I don't recommend using sweetened coconut, as it may make these balls too sweet and they'll be much higher in calories. I've tested these with full-fat coconut and reduced-fat coconut, both with delicious results.
- Chocolate Chips: The chocolate chips you choose will greatly contribute to the nutritional value and flavor of the balls. I use Hu Kitchen Chocolate Gems, which contain dark chocolate, and unrefined coconut sugar. If you need an allergy-friendly option and don't mind cane sugar, try the morsels from Enjoy Life Foods. For lower sugar, try a sugar-free chocolate chip like Lily's (made on shared equipment). If you're looking for more chocolate options, check out my dairy free chocolate guide.
- Vanilla Extract: Adds just a touch of vanilla to complement the sweetness of the dates
- Salt: Enhances and balances all the sweetness.
Instructions
Making these coconut date balls is very simple and you only need a few minutes of hands-on time. First, you'll want to toast your coconut. If you skip this step, your coconut won't have that deep, toasty coconut flavor. Blend everything in your food processor, roll it into balls, and dip the balls into the chocolate. Pop them in the freezer for a few minutes and they're ready to enjoy!
Step 1: Combine the dates, coconut, vanilla, and salt in your food processor. Pulse until the mixture looks similar to this.
Step 2: Roll your mixture into 12 individual balls. Don't worry about making them perfectly round or uniformly sized.
Step 3: Dip them into melted chocolate.
Step 4: Sprinkle with a pinch of coconut.
When all the balls are dipped in chocolate, set your baking sheet in the freezer for about 15 minutes. Once the chocolate is hardened you can move them to an airtight container and store them in the refrigerator for up to a week, or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Tips For Making Chocolate Coconut Date Balls
- Make sure your dates are sticky and moist. If your dates are dry, see the section below for dealing with dry dates.
- Don't skip toasting the coconut.
- Your mixture should easily stick together after it's been blended. If it's crumbly and not sticky, try adding a splash of water and blend again.
- If there's extra chocolate around the bottom of your balls once they're hardened, you can use a steak knife to trim it for aesthetics.
Dealing With Dry Dates
Your dates need to be soft, moist, and sticky for the balls to hold together. If they're dried out, put them in a heat-proof bowl and cover them with boiling water. Let them rest in the water for 20-30 minutes, then drain out the water. The dates should be nice and moist and sticky now. Add them to your food processor (pitted) and proceed with the remaining steps below on the recipe card.
Equipment
You'll need a food processor to make this recipe and blend the dates and coconut. I'm using my Cuisinart food processor with a metal blade, which I've had for almost 15 years and does a great job breaking down the dates. I also have a Vitamix, but I find that it has trouble with sticky dates and the blade locks up. If all you have is a blender, you may need to add a splash or two of water to help everything break down.
Storing your Chocolate Coconut Date Balls
At room temperature: You can store these in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. If it's summer or warmer where you live, consider storing them in the refrigerator so the chocolate doesn't melt.
In the refrigerator: This is my preferred method of storage. Store your coconut date balls in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week. They'll be soft and ready to eat right out of the refrigerator, but you can leave them at room temperature for a few minutes if you'd like to warm them up a bit.
In the freezer: You can also freeze these in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Let them thaw for at least an hour, then enjoy. Thawing time will depend on the temperature in your kitchen. Take care in warmer months not to let the chocolate melt.
FAQ
If your dates are dry, put them in a heat-proof bowl and cover them with boiling water. Let them rest in the water for 20-30 minutes, then drain out the water. The dates should now be soft, moist, and sticky. Add them to your food processor (make sure they're pitted) and proceed with the remaining steps.
Your dates were probably too dry or you overmeasured your coconut. Try adding a splash or two of water.
More Dairy Free Chocolate
Looking for more dairy free chocolate ideas? Try these:
Chococolate Coconut Date Balls
Ingredients
- 1.5 cup pitted medjool dates about 15, see notes below and make sure they're moist and sticky!
- 1.5 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- small pinch of salt
- ⅔ cup chocolate chips
Instructions
Toast Your Coconut
- Toast your coconut in the oven at 400°F on a baking sheet for about 4 minutes until it's light golden brown. If you'd prefer, you can toast it in a dry pan on the stove over medium heat for just a few minutes. If you do it on the stove, stir it occasionally so it doesn't burn. If you skip this step, your balls won't have that deep, delicious coconut flavor. See the notes below for extra tips.
Make Your Balls
- Once your coconut is toasted, add it into the bowl of your food processor with the dates, vanilla, and salt. Pulse the blade until the mixture is a fine crumb and it sticks together easily when rolled into a ball.
- Roll your date mixture into 12 balls and place them on a small parchment-lined cookie sheet that will fit into your freezer. The balls should be just a bit larger than a big grape.
- Melt your chocolate chips. I do this in the microwave in 20-second increments, stirring between each interval until everything is melted and smooth. In my microwave, this takes about a minute total. Be careful not to let it burn! You can also do this in a double boiler on the stove. See notes below for chocolate tips.
- Use a fork to dip each ball into the chocolate, turning it over gently to cover all sides. Lift the ball out of the chocolate with the fork, let the excess drip back into the bowl, then gently place it back on the parchment-lined baking sheet. Repeat for the rest of the balls. You can sprinkle the tops of the balls with a little bit more of the shredded coconut if you'd like.
- Carefully place the cookie sheet in the freezer for 15 minutes, until the chocolate hardens.
- Transfer your balls to an airtight container and store them in the refrigerator for up to one week. If they're a bit hard right out of the refrigerator, you can leave them out at room temperature for a few minutes before eating.
Madras Tiffins says
These chocolate coconut date balls look absolutely delicious and so easy to make! I love that they’re dairy-free and packed with natural ingredients. Definitely going to try this recipe for a healthy, sweet treat!
Jen Rork says
these are fantastic. i've made them a few times. they are a great option for kids- i sent in a bunch for my teen daughter's theater crew as they were working long hours on their play! A big hit!
Lyndsay Homme says
Thanks so much, I'm so glad you like them!