These no-bake prune, nut and chocolate energy balls make a delicious and healthy snack or healthy dessert, perfect for any occasion.
I am always looking for new ideas for healthy after-school snacks and here is one that got two thumbs up from my children today – healthy no-bake prune, nut and chocolate energy balls.
Making healthy lunchbox and after-school snacks can be tricky as you are competing with a myriad of commercially produced sugary treats that most children love. And you can’t really blame them! All you can do is keep trying and celebrate (occasional) successes.
Healthy dark chocolate energy balls with prunes
These homemade energy balls were gone within minutes of my children coming through the door. The kids had no idea they had just devoured a good helping of prunes, which usually is not the most popular snack in my house.
They did guess correctly the balls were made with dark chocolate, which they love. I have stopped buying milk chocolate a long time ago and only buy dark now. (I look for chocolate containing approximately 70% cocoa). So my children are used to it and actually prefer it to milk chocolate, which has more sugar and less cocoa.
Chocolate is not, however, the predominant flavour in this energy balls recipe.
This recipe is a combination of different flavours that work together fantastically. Sweet and rich tasting fruit, dark chocolate and nut, with a hint of coconut. What’s not to like? Plus they are gluten free! And in addition to making a fun and healthy after-school snack these chocolate nut energy balls taste incredible with coffee or tea. Which makes them a great snack for grownups too!
The proportions used in this recipe yield 14 bite size balls, but you can adjust their size according to your preference.
Your children will love helping you shape these balls and roll them in the seeds!
How to make chocolate prune energy balls
Start by breaking up the chocolate in a blender until crumbly, but not powdery. Add the chopped prunes and process briefly until combined and crumbly. Add the rest of the ingredients and blitz until well combined and sticky. The mixture should be lumpy.
Make small chocolate prune balls and roll in seeds or desiccated coconut. Chill for 30 minutes before serving (if possible) and enjoy!
More energy balls recipes
If you like this easy chocolate nut energy balls recipe you may also enjoy these 4-ingredient protein energy balls with quinoa and pineapple. They are vegan, gluten free, and taste zingy and refreshing. See also these moreish chocolate peanut butter energy balls with coffee. Another free from recipe you might like are these vegan dark chocolate truffles with a festive twist. Check out also these 4-ingredient mango cheesecake bites recipe.
If you like this recipe I just know you will also like these healthy peanut butter chocolate truffles with ginger!
Check out also this collection of 27 everyday healthy cacao recipes.
Prune, Nut and Chocolate Energy Balls
Ingredients
- 150 g prunes roughly chopped
- 4 tablespoons peanut butter smooth or crunchy
- 50 g good quality dark chocolate roughly chopped
- 1 tablespoon tahini paste
- 3 tablespoons desiccated coconut
- 1 tablespoon honey
- Sesame seeds and/or coconut flakes for coating
Instructions
- Whizz the chocolate in a blender until finely chopped (not completely powdery). Add the prunes and process to obtain a crumbly consistency. Add the rest of the ingredients and whizz briefly to combine. The mixture should by sticky and crumbly.
- Form small balls and roll in sesame seeds or coconut flakes. It's a good idea to chill them for 30 minutes before serving, but it's not absolutely necessary. Yields 14 bite size balls.
- Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Nutrition
Pin Prune, Nut and Chocolate Energy Balls
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RECIPE LINK PARTIES
I am sharing this chocolate energy balls recipe with #CookBlogShare. Also sharing with Free From Fridays, Fiesta Friday, Melt in your Mouth Monday. and Inspire Me Mondays. Also with Made By You Monday and Heart and Soul.
Hi, I am Monika, welcome to Everyday Healthy Recipes! This blog is all about creatively simple recipes with a healthy twist, old classics with a modern take, and an occasional Polish dish thrown into the mix - all easy to make, healthy and delicious, perfect for everyday cooking. 
Energy balls are such a great idea but I’m sure I’d just want to eat all the mixture out the bowl! #freefromfridays
I felt a little tempted to do that too, thank goodness I had to take photos of these balls:)
I love prunes and chocolate together, so I love the healthy way you have used this flavour combo in these energy balls! Pinning. I’d love it if you will share them with my Hearth and Soul Link Party live on my blog now. I know they would be very popular! Hope to ‘see’ you there. Visiting via Create with Joy. It’s lovely to ‘meet’ you! Following on Twitter.
Thank you! I’ll go over and check out your link party now:)
Yummy
thanks:)
These look great Monika. I make several similar energy balls but your recipe is quite different to mine so I must give this a try. I particularly like the idea of putting tahini in.
Thank you Mandy. These little balls were such a hit with my children I am making more tomorrow:)
Yum! These look so lovely and I am sure my kids would love these too…if I could control myself enough to leave the some!! 😀 Thanks for linking it up to #CookBlogShare! Eb x
Thanks Eb! They were quite moreish, I have to admit…
Yum! I make a similar thing but using dates, although I’ve never thought to add tahini!
Dates would be delicious too! There are so many possibilities with this type of snack:)
I love these types of snack, I’ve a few recipes on my blog too! These are my go-to energy snack for the 3pm dip in sugar and energy levels…and the fact they’re so simple to knock up makes them all the more delcious! #FreeFromFridays
I love snack like this too but what’s even better is that my kids also love them – they are our 3 o’clock ‘fix’:)
I’m always on the lookout for healthy after school snacks and these sound delicious!
Thanks Corina! These really were very good, making them again tomorrow:)