These easy Almond Date Protein Balls are a no-bake healthy snack made in minutes! Packed with oats, almond flour, and almond butter.
Date protein balls are one of my favorite make-ahead snacks! I love them because they're naturally sweetened with dates and honey, along with Lemon Coconut Protein Balls, their amazing zippy cousin.
I first became obsessed with protein balls during pregnancy, and as a nurse working the night shift, I needed healthy energy-packed snacks. They are packed with protein and nutrients, and have only good things in them.
Best of all, they only take 10 minutes to make and are no-bake! And don't worry if you don't have a food processor, they can easily be made in a blender too. If you'd rather not mess with a blender or food processor, you can always make snickerdoodle crunch protein balls or chocolate peanut butter protein balls.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Taste: Almonds are the strongest, the dates are right behind.
- Ease: The making is the easiest part, the dish washing after is harder. 😆
- Time: It takes about 10-15 minutes start to finish.
📝 Ingredient Notes
- Oats - gluten free if needed, adds fiber, protein, and nutrient-dense carbohydrates to the bites.
- Almond butter - creamy, no stir kind
- Pitted Dates - fresh-ish is best! The older and drier they are, the more liquid you will need to add to the bites so they are not crumbly.
- Vanilla & Almond Extract - this adds much needed flavor and liquid to the protein balls.
- Honey - or agave nectar - the sweetener and liquid binder for the bites.
See the recipe card below for full list of ingredients with quantities and instructions.
✏️ Substitutions
- Honey can be switched to agave nectar, another natural sweetener.
- Dates- you can switch the dates for dried cherries, apricots, raisins, or blueberries but the flavor will be different and liquids may need to be added to account for the drier fruit.
- Substitute almond extract with 1 teaspoon maple extract for an almond maple protein bite!
🧑🍳 Instructions
I have a couple of different ways to make these. Not everyone owns a processor (me for a long time!) so I included how to make date balls in a blender AND a food processor.
For a Food Processor:
- Step 1. Add the oats, dates, almond flour, almond butter, almond and vanilla extract, and honey to the bowl of the food processor.
- Step 2. Process/blend the ingredients for 1-2 minutes, scraping the sides as necessary until the oats are broken down finely and the mixture begins to stick together.
- Step 3. Using a 1.5 Tablespoon cookie scoop, pack the "dough" firmly into the scoop to help to divide the balls into even portions.
- Step 4. Roll the dough into more firm balls after scooping so they don't crumble apart. See Top Tips below for help if they are crumbly.
If you don't have a food processor:
- Use a blender to blend the oats first until they are powdery, then add the dates and blend well.
- Transfer to a mixing bowl and add other ingredients to finish mixing, the thicker mixture doesn't work well in a blender.
- Use a Tablespoon or cookie scoop to measure, and shape/roll into balls. Chill in airtight container in fridge for 1-2 hours to set up.
📌 Top Tips
- Use fresh dates for best results, there's more moisture in them.
- Weigh out the ingredients with a kitchen scale for accuracy so they don't turn out dry and crumbly.
- If you're wondering why your protein balls won't stick together, see the Frequently Asked Questions section below for more options to make your mixture more wet and easier to work with.
❓Frequently Asked Questions
Sometimes the dates are older and more dry, or oats and almond flour amounts differ due to the American cups measurement system.
To make them less dry, you can:
Add water ½ teaspoon at a time until mixture reaches desired consistency
Add more nut/seed butter
Add more liquid sweetener such as honey, agave nectar, or maple syrup
Add 1-2 teaspoons of coconut oil
Add 1-2 pieces of fresh fruit to moisten the mixture
You can store protein balls in an airtight container:
• Room temperature 3-5 days
• Refrigerator up to 2 weeks
• Freezer up to 3 months
Yes, it is safe to eat the traditional raw oats you find in the grocery store, which have been heated and steamed during processing, destroying harmful bacteria. The processing ensures safety for raw consumption. That being said, eating large portions can cause some bloating or uncomfortable digestion, so don't go eating all of these at once, even though you may be tempted to!
Yes! These energy balls are high protein due to the almond flour, almond butter, and added vanilla protein powder. They are also high in fiber, iron, healthy fats, and complex carbohydrates making them a high energy, nutrient dense snack.
They are naturally sweetened with dried dates and honey (or agave nectar for a vegan friendly option) and are also gluten-free.
Yes, everything in moderation. 2-3 balls as a snack is plenty for one day if meals are balanced. All foods consumed during the day should be considered.
☀️ More Protein Bite Ideas
I love to have healthy snacks ready for busy days, and these are delicious, kid-friendly, and SO easy to make ahead!
Did You Try This Recipe? ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Make sure to leave a star rating and a comment below the recipe card. I love hearing from you, and it is so helpful to other readers! Better yet, share it with family and friends. Thank you!!
📝 Printable Recipe
Almond Date Protein Balls
Equipment
- 1 Food Processor or Blender
Ingredients
- 1 cup oats
- 6 large dates
- ½ cup almond flour
- ¼ cup vanilla protein powder
- ⅓ cup almond butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 teaspoons almond extract
- ¼ cup honey or agave nectar
- pinch of salt
Instructions
- If using a food processor: Combine all ingredients in the large bowl with large blade and process ofor 1-2 minutes, until well combined, scraping sides of bowl occasionally.1 cup oats, 6 large dates, ½ cup almond flour, ¼ cup vanilla protein powder, ⅓ cup almond butter, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, 2 teaspoons almond extract, ¼ cup honey or agave nectar, pinch of salt
- Use a Tablespoon or cookie scoop to measure out portions and roll/shape into balls.
- IIf using blender: In the blender, blend only the oats until crumbly and fine, no big pieces left. Add chopped dates and blend until well combined and no large pieces left.
- Transfer mixture to a mixing bowl and add remaining ingredients. Mix well. Use a Tablespoon to measure out portions and roll/shape into balls.
Notes
- Room temperature 3-5 days
- Refrigerator up to 2 weeks
- Freezer up to 3 months
- Add water ½ teaspoon at a time until mixture reaches desired consistency.
- Add more nut/seed butter,
- Add more liquid sweetener such as honey, or agave nectar.
- Add 1-2 teaspoons of coconut oil.
Nutrition
Did You Try This Recipe? ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Make sure to leave a star rating and a comment below the recipe card. I love hearing from you, and it is so helpful to other readers! Better yet, share it with family and friends. Thank you!!
Hi, I'm Sara!
Registered Nurse by day, food blogger by weekend. Perfect dip tester & snack quester. I love short walks on the beach and long naps. Sharing my love for food, one bite at a time.
Sara says
Great, love the dates. If the dates are old and dried out I add a little water and have no issues.