Raw date balls with desiccated coconut

Raw date balls with desiccated coconut: a quick no-bake recipe with Medjool dates, cashews, cocoa powder and coconut oil – soft, chocolatey and handy on the go.

At a glance

• Serves 4
• Prep time: 10 min
• No cooking needed
• Total time: 10 min
• Calories: 190 kcal per serving
• Protein: 5 g
• Fat: 10 g
• Carbs: 24 g

Ingredients

• 150g stoned Medjool dates
• 100g cashews
• 3 tbsp desiccated coconut
• 1 tbsp coconut oil
• 2 tbsp cocoa powder
• 1 pinch of sea salt

Method

You’ll need: blender · food processor · grater

1. Roughly chop the cashews in a food processor or blender, leaving them with a little bite.
2. Add the dates, cocoa powder, coconut oil and sea salt and pulse everything until the mixture can be shaped. If it's too dry, add a little water.
3. Spread the desiccated coconut on a plate. With damp hands, shape the mixture into small balls.
4. Roll the balls in the desiccated coconut until they're coated all over.
5. Chill the balls so they firm up and hold their shape.
6. Serve well chilled, or keep them in a tin.

Good to know

When you want something simple and chocolatey, these little balls are just right. The mixture is quick to make, pleasantly soft and easy to prepare ahead.

Swaps

Cashews → almonds (more fibre and vitamin E); coconut oil → almond or cashew butter (a little more unsaturated fat); cocoa powder → carob powder (naturally caffeine-free, a little milder in flavour); desiccated coconut → finely chopped pistachios (also add a little protein and minerals)

Allergens

Contains tree nuts (cashews). Because the balls are small, sticky and round, take care with very young children (choking risk); generally fine in pregnancy as long as all the ingredients are fresh and handled hygienically.

Dairy-free recipes