Peanut Date Balls
Peanut Date Balls are made with two simple ingredients and are a breeze to whip up in your food processor. They make a great snack, a light breakfast, or a healthy dessert!
Like many kids, our two boys are total snack monsters. They would happily snack all throughout the day than sit down to eat meals. While I'm okay with a couple of snacks a day, usually one in between each meal, I definitely prefer they save their appetites for meals which are typically more nutritious. These Peanut Date Balls are one of our snack favorites!
Their snacks can range from goldfish, crackers, and granola bars to apples, grapes, and homemade snacks. I really love having homemade snacks on hand, like these Peanut Date Balls, and since they are so easy to make, it's really not that hard to do!
Peanut Date Balls - Two Ingredients!
These date balls are made with two simple ingredients - peanuts and dates. You can add a bit of salt if you use unsalted peanuts and some water if needed, but really just two main ingredients.
I recommend soaking the dates in warm water for about 10 minutes to soften them up a bit. This usually helps me from having to add additional water, so if you want to skip the soaking just know you might have to add a couple of tablespoons of water to get the mixture to form into a dough that can be rolled into balls.
How to Make Date Balls
After soaking the dates in warm water, you'll want to strain them to get rid of additional water. You will need a large food processor to make these date balls, but a blender could also work - you might just have to scrape down the edges a few extra times.
Start by putting the peanuts in the food processor and processing until they resemble fine crumbs. You want them pretty fine so you don't have big chunks of peanuts in your date balls. Then add the dates and salt, if using.
Pulse until a dough forms. You may have to stop a couple of times to scrape down the edges. After the dough is made you can do one of two things - roll into balls or press into an 8x8" pan for bars. The bars are easier, but I like the ease and portability of the peanut date balls.
Check out these recipes, too:
Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Lara Bars
Coconut Cream Pie Lara Bars
Pecan Pie Bliss Balls from Miss Finger Foodie
Peanut Date Balls
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups unsalted peanuts
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 16 ounces dates, pitted
- 1-2 tablespoon water, if needed
Instructions
- Place dates in a bowl and fill with warm water. Let them soak for about 10 minutes. Strain.
- Place peanuts and salt in a large food processor and process until they resemble very fine crumbs.
- Add the dates and pulse until a "dough" forms. This may take awhile and you may have to scrape down the sides a time or two. If the mixture seems dry, add additional water, 1 tablespoon at a time.
- Form into balls of your preferred size. I usually get about 20-24 balls.
- Store in the refrigerator in an airtight container.
I love this stuff and I can’t wait to try this. Thanks for sharing the recipe.
Thank you!
I'm trying to drop some weight and looking for healthy snacks. What would happen if you made the balls and then drizzled them with some honey and then baked them? I'm not a chef so I'm curious if this would be a waste of time or would it enhance them somehow?
Hi Cabel,
These balls don't need to be baked and probably wouldn't turn out well since they only include dates and peanuts. They are certainly healthy and delicious made, as is!
Happy cooking!
Taylor