No-Bake Coconut Date Bites
Made with whole-food ingredients, these no-bake energy bites are super easy to make.
Sometimes you want something sweet.
Like cookies.
But you don’t want to actually make cookies because you don’t want to wait 20 minutes for them to bake. You want something you can eat now.
Like the ice cream that’s in the freezer.
But you don’t want the ice cream in the freezer because you want something that isn’t fattening.
Like carrot sticks.
No! Not carrot sticks! You want something sweet.
That’s when you make these yummy lil’ No-Bake Coconut Date Bites.
This website is brought to you without annoying ads because we can better live healthier lives without the influence of marketing. But running a high-traffic site is expensive. How can you help? If you purchase anything through the affiliate links on my site, your cost is the same, but I receive a small commission. Thank you!
These no-bake energy bites are super easy to make – takes less than 5 minutes! They’re healthy, high in fiber, low in sugar, and full of good stuff like antioxidants and iron. They are also gluten-free and vegan. Did I mention they’re very good for you?
How About a Date?
While there are more than a thousand date varieties, there are three basic types of dates: soft dates, semi-soft (also called semi-dry), and dry (also called hard).
Soft dates are usually eaten fresh and are the least sweet option. Barhi and Halawi are examples of soft dates.
Semi-soft dates include varieties such as Deglet Noor, Medjool, and Zahidi. They’re on the chewy side.
Dry dates are dry and fibrous even when fresh. They keep very well and are often less expensive than semi-dry and soft dates. One example of a dry date is the Thoory date. These are the kind of dates I prefer because I like the sweetness of them and because they’re less expensive than other kinds. But they are also hard to find.
The kind of date you use will affect the outcome of many recipes, including this one. If your mixture doesn’t stick together when you squeeze it between your fingers, then your dates are on the dry side and you’ll need to use more dates than called for in the recipe.
Date Nutrition
Dates are loaded with beneficial nutrients like, iron, B vitamins, magnesium, vitamin A, and vitamin K. They are also high in fiber and fat-free.
No-Bake Energy Bites
No-bake coconut date balls are so delicious they make a lovely dessert. Yet they’re so nutritious you can even eat them for breakfast.
Coconut Date Bites
Ingredients
- 1 1/3 cups whole, pitted dates - The amount you use will depend on how dense your dates are. If your mixture doesn't stick together well, just add a few more dates.
- 1 cup unsweetened, shredded coconut - (see note)
- 1/4 cup raw almonds
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 2/3 cup Jennifer’s Kitchen Maple Nut Granola
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
Instructions
- If dates are very hard, place in saucepan with 2 scant tablespoons water, cover, bring to boil, and then remove from heat. If dates are soft, go to step 2.
- Place coconut in food processor and process until fine. Remove 3 tablespoons coconut, place in a medium bowl, and set aside.
- Add almonds and salt to food processor and process until almonds are fine.
- Add dates and process until dates are very, very finely chopped (almost pureed) and mixture starts to stick together a little. (If you continue to blend, and it doesn’t start to stick together, add more dates. See note below this recipe about different kinds of dates.)
- Add granola and vanilla and process until mixture starts to stick together.
- Roll/squeeze/pack dough into balls. I use my cookie scoop to help with this.
- Rolls balls into extra coconut (from step 2).Makes 10 to 12 balls. Can be stored in freezer.
Notes
>> One quick request: if you like this recipe, please leave a rating and a comment. Ratings help more people find these healthy recipes!
Want More?
For more healthy and delicious recipes like this one that will simplify your journey to a healthier and thinner you, check out my
You my also like:
Before you go . . .
Did you know that you can eat all this delicious food AND lose weight? You can!
No calorie counting. No portion sizes.
Join my online weight loss program today!
If I use a different flavor of granola will it affect it?
Hi Shelley,
Yes, the flavor of the granola does come through a bit. I really liked the flavor that the maple nut granola gives, but I think you could use another kind that’s similar … perhaps vanilla almond granola or maybe coconut granola.
This looks so easy to make and so delicious 🙂 It is great snack. Thanks for sharing.
You’re welcome, Nika. They are really good and make great travel food!
Thanks for sharing this. I made them and all I can say is mmmmmmm 🙂
Glad you liked them! Thank you for your comment!
mmmm like Raffaelo balls. Showed this to my wife because she love making raw food and she will try to make them. Thanks for the recipe!
What a great recipe to prepare a No-Bake Coconut Date Bites. It’s fast and easy. Thanks 🙂
We tried it! It was great and super easy. Our dates were soft so that saved us the boiling step. We didn’t have granola so we used gluten free rice crispies. Next time, we will try with gronala. rice crispies did not hinder or add to the flavor. We also put some oil and honey to help with sticking. Thanks much. My kids loved them. Ariel
Hi Ariel,
I made these with rice crispies once too and they were pretty good. Glad you and your kids liked them. 🙂 Thank you for your comment.