Only 4 ingredients and less than 10 minutes are needed to make these deliciously more-ish nut balls. Use the recipe as is, or customise using some of the suggested add-in options.
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Reasons to Love This Recipe
- No-Bake Snack: No baking, microwaving, or stovetop involved. Super easy and a great recipe for kids to make with little supervision
- Kid-Friendly: Sweet and easy to eat on the go. Just what kids love!
- Grab-and-go: Have a stash in the refrigerator or freezer for when the need for a sweet treat
- Nuts: Nuts are natural power-packs of nutrients which help children grow, develop and learn. However, children under five should avoid whole nuts due to the risk of choking. Blitzing them up and transforming them into balls is a great alternative.
- Customizable: Easy to mix and match ingredients
Ingredient Information
- DATES (for binding and sweetness) The dates should be soft and sticky or they will not blend properly and the balls won't form as easily. If your dates are dry then soak in boiling water until soft.
- WALNUTS - You can sub for a different nut (such as cashew, pecans, macadamia) or a mixture of nuts.
- PEANUT BUTTER - for richness and binding. Natural is best (without the added oils, sugar etc)
- DESICCATED COCONUT - for rolling (optional)
Optional Add Ins
Why not try customising the nut balls by adding one (or more) of the following...
- Spices (such as vanilla, cinnamon, cardamom, ginger)
- Cocoa or Cacao powder, for a rich chocolate flavour
- Dried fruit (raisins, apricot, mango, cranberries etc)
- Chocolate Chips
- Seeds (flax seed, chia seed, hemp seed etc) for a nutrition boost.
Step-By-Step Instructions (With Images)
- PULSE: Add the walnuts to a food processor and pulse until they are finely crushed.
- BLEND: Add the dates and peanut butter and continue to blend to a paste consistency.
- ROLL: Scoop out 1 tablespoon amounts and roll into balls.
- COAT: Roll in coconut to coat.
Storage Instructions
Add nut balls to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to a week (if they last that long!) or freeze, for up to 2 months.
Recipe FAQs
If you don’t have a food processor, you can try using a blender but dates can be tough for blenders due to their sticky nature. Try pulsing instead of blending.
I do not recommend these for babies. They have a "claggy" nut butter texture that can be a chocking hazard.
More Ball Recipes
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Nut Balls
Equipment
- Food Processor
Ingredients
- 40g (¼ cup) Walnuts Roughly Chopped
- 60g (½ cup) Dates I used medjool dates (around 5)
- 1 tablespoon Peanut Butter Natural
- 2 tablespoon Desiccated Coconut Unsweeetened
Instructions
- Place the walnuts in a food processor and blitz until they are finely crushed.
- Add the dates and peanut butter and continue to blend to a paste consistency.
- Scoop out 1 tablespoon amounts and roll into balls. Roll in the coconut to coat.
- Enjoy at room temperature or place in the refrigerator to harden.
Kay V
Hi Amy. Can I subtitle walnut with cashew or pecan?
Jayne
AMAZING!! I made them into little squares (just to change it up from balls). I’ve made so many of your recipes Amy (favourite is the raspberry balls) and every one of them is the ultimate crowd pleaser! Love your ideas!!
Amy
Thanks Jayne, I'm so glad you are enjoying the site. Like the idea of making little squares 🙂
Lisa Johnson
Hi, how long do these keep for?
Amy
Hi Lisa, I'd store them in the fridge for around 3 days or pop them in the freezer 🙂
Christie clinton
Me and Samuel had the nut balls for breakfast - rolled in ground almonds though as had no coconut. They are amazing! Thanks for the recipe 🙂 x
Amy
Glad you (and Samuel) liked them Christie!
Angela MacLennan
These are far too good, I ate nearly all of them!! x
amy
They are addictive! Finn doesn't get many when I make them….I tend to eat them all!