No-Bake Nut Butter and Date Energy Balls
Chewy, naturally sweet energy balls packed with nut butter and dates for a quick, nutritious snack. This snacks (vegan, gluten free) ready in about 10 minutes turns Medjool dates, pitted, Natural almond butter, Old-fashioned rolled oats into a satisfying snack for between meals, packed lunches, or game-day spreads — minimal active time and easy to scale up for a crowd. Each serving lands at about 120 calories and feeds 12, so it fits into lunchboxes, road trips, or an afternoon-energy gap without derailing the day. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 cup Medjool dates, pitted
- 1/2 cup Natural almond butter
- 3/4 cup Old-fashioned rolled oats
- 2 tbsp Chia seeds
- 1 tsp Vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp Ground cinnamon
- 1/8 tsp Salt
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Place 1 cup pitted Medjool dates in a food processor and pulse until a sticky paste forms, about 1-2 minutes.
- Step 2: Add 1/2 cup natural almond butter, 3/4 cup old-fashioned rolled oats, 2 tbsp chia seeds, 1 tsp vanilla extract, 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon, and 1/8 tsp salt to the food processor. Pulse in 20-second intervals, scraping down the sides, until the mixture is well combined but still slightly chunky, about 1 minute.
- Step 3: Scoop out the mixture using a tablespoon and roll into 1-inch balls with your hands. Place the balls on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Step 4: Refrigerate the energy balls for at least 30 minutes to firm up before serving. Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week.
Frequently asked questions
How long does No-Bake Nut Butter and Date Energy Balls take to make?
Total time is about 10 minutes (10 min prep + 0 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover No-Bake Nut Butter and Date Energy Balls?
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for crisp items, or in the fridge for anything dairy- or produce-based, for up to 3–5 days. Re-crisp baked snacks in a 300°F oven for 5 minutes if they soften.
Can I substitute ingredients in No-Bake Nut Butter and Date Energy Balls?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale No-Bake Nut Butter and Date Energy Balls for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 12 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 12). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
Is No-Bake Nut Butter and Date Energy Balls vegan?
Yes — this recipe is tagged vegan, gluten free based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
