There has been a bit of a date ball revolution going around the blog world recently. I’ve seen every manner of date balls with every kind of mix-in.
Date balls are particularly amazing because they are nearly impossible to mess up. Medjool dates are sweet, sticky and hold things together like super glue. Just as long as you get the right date-to-everything else ratio, you are in the ball-making business!
Did you know that dates are the foundation for a lot of the more popular, natural snack/energy bars? You could just as easily press the date mix into a pan and cut out choco-pretzel date bars. I just think the balls are cute and a great portion size.
Date-based snacks are great because they have no added sugar. Dates are sugary sweet on their own and serve as a great foundation for a healthy, all-natural sweet snack. They also make for awesome running fuel.
When making date balls, make sure not to overprocess any of the ingredients. You want all your ingredients to be well-chopped, but not pulverized to dust.
When I went to make some date balls, I really had no plan in mind. I opened up my pantry and started grabbing things. And choco-pretzel date balls were born!
They are rich and chocolately, with a little bit of crunch from the pretzels and almonds. They remind me of my favorite sea salt chocolate
. They have a nice light scent of peanut butter, which is always a good thing. Yum!
Choco-Pretzel Date Balls
1/2 cup pretzel twists
1/2 cup almonds
8 Medjool dates, pitted
3 tbsp. cocoa powder, unsweetened
2 tbsp. peanut butter (crunchy or creamy, whatever make you happy)
1 tsp. vanilla extract
Pinch of salt (only IF you use unsalted pretzels)
In a food processor, pulse almonds and pretzels until evenly chopped in small marbles (don’t pulse to dust, but don’t leave any big chunks). Remove almond/pretzel mixture from the food processor. Add in dates. Process until dates are chopped small to form one large ball. Add in almond/pretzel mixture, cocoa, peanut butter, vanilla and salt (if using). Pulse until everything comes together to form a loose meal texture. Form into balls and enjoy. Makes about 18-1″ diameter balls.
Serving size is 1 ball.
