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    Home » Recipes » Appetizers / Small Bites

    Modified: Mar 14, 2025 · Published: May 6, 2024 by Willow Moon · This post may contain affiliate links. · As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. · I get commissions for purchases made through links in this post.

    Chocolate Coconut Energy Balls

    Jump to Recipe Pin

    These vegan Chocolate Coconut Energy Balls are perfect for a road trip or on the go! They have a touch of salt to balance out the sweet flavor of the dates.

    Chocolate Coconut Energy Balls on a plate.

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    "My family loves these! We are going on vacation in a couple of weeks and I plan on making a big batch of these! Thanks for the recipe! - Denise"

    These Chocolate Coconut Energy Balls are the perfect combination of sweet and salty. I added a pinch of salt because it balanced out the sweet flavor of the dates.

    I like to have protein bars and trail mix whenever I travel. I made these energy bites because I was planning vegan food for a road trip that I had just gotten back from.

    I am really glad that I had this sweet treat along for the road. If you are vegan (and gluten-free), you know how hard it can be to find good food in the middle of nowhere.

    I always bring a bunch of premade food in a cooler to eat, and I bring things to make while camping or staying at a cabin with a kitchen.

    I tend to get creative with the vegan breakfast foods that hotels offer. One hotel that I stayed at had oatmeal with a bunch of toppings.

    I didn't know if the oatmeal was gluten-free because it could be cross-contaminated with gluten. So, I took the toppings that I liked - dried cranberries, sliced almonds, and pecans.

    I then sliced a banana, added the toppings, and covered it with the soy milk that I packed. Trail mix cereal, anyone?

    These no-bake energy balls are a great snack to satisfy your sweet tooth when you're craving chocolate.

    They make a healthy dessert or after school snack and they're perfect for on the go. There's no need to buy protein bars at the grocery store when it's so easy to make energy bites at home.

    Other chocolate almond recipes are my Chocolate Almond Butter, Keto Almond Joy Fat Bombs, and Vegan Chocolate Coffee Creamer. Another recipe to bring on the go is my Copycat Larabars with Dried Cranberries.

    Jump to:
    • ❤️ Why You'll Love Them
    • 🧾 Ingredients
    • 🔪 Instructions
    • Other Foods You Can Take On The Go
    • 👩🏻‍🍳 Recipe FAQs
    • Other Vegan Energy Ball Recipes
    • 📋 Recipe
    • 💬 Comments

    ❤️ Why You'll Love Them

    • These chocolate energy bites are sweet and chocolaty. They will satisfy your chocolate cravings.
    • They are healthy and hearty. They are the perfect snack.
    • It's an easy recipe to make with simple ingredients.

    🧾 Ingredients

    Energy ball ingredients on a cutting board with labels.
    • Dates: I used pitted Medjool dates. Even if you buy pitted dates, check for hard bits. They can be a nuisance in a food processor. You could also use maple syrup or agave syrup.
    • Cacao powder (or cocoa powder): Adds a chocolate flavor.
    • Raw almonds: Adds a nutty flavor. You could also use pecans, walnuts, raw cashews, peanuts, pumpkin seeds, or sunflower seeds.
    • Shredded coconut: Adds a coconut flavor. You could also use unsweetened coconut flakes.
    • Vanilla extract: Enhances flavors.
    • Almond extract (optional): Adds a fruity flavor. You could leave it out.
    • Salt: Enhances sweetness. I like to use sea salt.
    • Water

    When I originally published this recipe I rolled these energy bites in a variety of toppings like cacao powder, hemp seeds, and maca powder.

    Other toppings to roll them in:

    • Cacao powder
    • Crushed nuts
    • Hemp seeds
    • Chia seeds
    • Maca powder
    • Ground flaxseed or flax seeds

    To see the full list of ingredients with measurements and instructions, see the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

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    🔪 Instructions

    Chocolate energy ball mixture in a food processor.

    Step 1: Add almonds to a food processor. Pulse to break the almonds into small pieces. Add dates, cacao powder, coconut oil, shredded coconut, pecans, almond extract, almond meal, and salt.

    Energy ball dough inn a food processor.

    Step 2: Alternatively, you can add all the ingredients at once, but it will take longer to break down the almonds. Mix until a sticky ball forms.

    Chocolate energy balls on parchment paper.

    Step 3: Wet hands. With a tablespoon, scoop out the dough. Roll into balls.

    Chocolate Coconut Balls on parchment paper.

    Step 4: Roll in shredded coconut. Place in an airtight container in the fridge.

    Other Foods You Can Take On The Go

    • Mocha Almond Overnight Oats
    • Sriracha Roasted Chickpeas
    • Tamari Seaweed Flax Crackers
    • Vegan Carrot Cake Energy Bites
    • Gluten-Free Homemade Coconut Granola
    Chocolate Coconut Energy Bites on a plate.

    👩🏻‍🍳 Recipe FAQs

    How long do energy bites last?

    These healthy chocolate coconut energy balls will last up to 2 weeks in an airtight container in the fridge or a few days at room temperature. I like to pack them in Stasher bags so they are easy to grab and go.

    Can I freeze energy bites?

    If you want to make extra and freeze them, go for it! They'll last up to 3 months in the freezer.

    Other Vegan Energy Ball Recipes

    • Turmeric Energy Balls on parchment paper with turmeric and sliced coconut.
      Easy No-Bake Turmeric Energy Balls
    • Carrot Cake Energy Bites stacked on a plate.
      Carrot Cake Energy Bites
    • Gingerbread Energy Bites on a plate.
      Gingerbread Energy Bites
    • Apple Walnut Balls
      Apple Walnut Balls

    If you tried this Chocolate Coconut Energy Balls Recipe or any other recipe on my website, please leave a ⭐️ star rating and let me know how you like it in the 💬 comments below. I love hearing from you!

    I originally posted this recipe on July 9, 2016. I added new photos and text when I republished it. I also changed the recipe slightly.

    📋 Recipe

    Chocolate Coconut Energy Balls on a plate.
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    5 from 3 votes

    Chocolate Coconut Energy Balls

    These vegan Chocolate Coconut Energy Balls are perfect for a road trip or on the go! They have a touch of salt to balance out the sweet flavor of the dates.
    Course Snack
    Cuisine American
    Diet Gluten Free, Vegan, Vegetarian
    Prep Time 10 minutes minutes
    Total Time 10 minutes minutes
    Servings 14
    Calories 87kcal
    Author Willow Moon
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Equipment

    • food processor

    Ingredients

    • 1 cup pitted dates
    • ¾ cup shredded coconut divided
    • ½ cup raw almonds
    • ¼ cup cacao or cocoa powder
    • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
    • ¼ teaspoon almond extract (optional)
    • Pinch salt
    • 2-3 tablespoons water
    US Customary - Metric

    Instructions

    • Add almonds to a food processor. Pulse until they are broken down.
    • Add the rest of the ingredients, reserving ¼ cup shredded coconut for rolling. Mix until a sticky ball forms.
    • Wet hands. Using a tablespoon, scoop the dough out. Roll into balls. Roll in shredded coconut and refrigerate.

    Notes

    These energy balls will last up to 2 weeks in an airtight container in the fridge, and up to 3 months in the freezer.
    I like to pack them in Stasher bags so they are easy to grab and go.

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    Nutrition

    Calories: 87kcal | Carbohydrates: 12g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 0.001g | Sodium: 13mg | Potassium: 146mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 1IU | Vitamin C: 0.1mg | Calcium: 21mg | Iron: 1mg
    SIGN UP for my newsletter, get a FREE 30 Minute Vegan Dinners 7-Day Meal Plan as a welcome gift! 💌

    *Note: Nutrition information should be considered an estimate only. Different nutrition calculators give you different results.

    More Easy Vegan Appetizers

    • Maple Chipotle Roasted Chickpeas on parchment paper.
      Maple Chipotle Roasted Chickpeas
    • Vegan Stuffed Mushrooms on a plate.
      Vegan Stuffed Mushrooms with Tofu Ricotta
    • Almond Bacon in a mason jar.
      Almond Bacon
    • Soy Curls Jerky in two mason jars.
      Homemade Soy Curls Jerky

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      5 from 3 votes (2 ratings without comment)

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Denise says

      July 06, 2018 at 10:01 am

      My family loves these! We are going on vacation in a couple of weeks and I plan on making a big batch of these! Thanks for the recipe!5 stars

      Reply
      • Willow Moon says

        July 06, 2018 at 3:16 pm

        Thanks Denise!

        Reply
    2. Anjali @ Vegetarian Gastronomy says

      July 11, 2016 at 11:30 am

      Energy bites are a favorite in our house, especially ones like these filled with all kinds of goodness!

      Reply
      • Willow Moon says

        July 11, 2016 at 4:16 pm

        Thanks Anjali!

        Reply
    3. Priya says

      July 11, 2016 at 11:24 am

      Always on the lookout for healthy protein bite size recipes..thanks for sharing this..

      Reply
      • Willow Moon says

        July 11, 2016 at 4:16 pm

        Thanks Priya!

        Reply
    4. Lisa says

      July 11, 2016 at 10:35 am

      I love making....and eating these too! Like you, I especially like the chocolate and almond combo...sooooo good! ?

      Reply
      • Willow Moon says

        July 11, 2016 at 4:15 pm

        Thanks Lisa!

        Reply
    5. Dahn says

      July 11, 2016 at 10:06 am

      I love love love the combination of chocolate and almonds... this sounds perfect

      Reply
      • Willow Moon says

        July 11, 2016 at 4:14 pm

        Thanks Dahn!

        Reply

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