No-Bake Chocolate Brownie Balls – You know those days when you just need a quick chocolate fix, but don’t want to spend hours baking? That’s where these No-Bake Chocolate Brownie Balls come to the rescue. They’re packed with dates, cacao powder, and almond butter—so they’re naturally sweet and loaded with goodness. And the best part? You can make them in 5 minutes, no oven required! Sweet, chocolaty, and ridiculously easy. What more could you want?
The first time I made these was a total spur-of-the-moment thing. My husband was craving something sweet, but I didn’t feel like baking (because, who has time for that all the time, right?). I had a bunch of dates sitting in the pantry and a jar of almond butter I’d almost forgotten about. So, I tossed everything into the food processor and hoped for the best. When my husband tried them, he looked at me and said, “These taste like brownies!” I couldn’t believe how quick and easy they were—and they totally satisfied that chocolate craving. And let me tell you, my kid? Obsessed. Now, these are a go-to when we need something sweet in a hurry. Funny how the easiest recipes often turn out to be the ones we make again and again, right?
What makes this No-Bake Chocolate Brownie Balls truly special?
These brownie balls are the perfect mix of indulgent and healthy—without the guilt. They’re naturally sweetened with dates, so no need for extra sugar. And the cacao powder? It gives them that deep, rich chocolate flavor we all love. Plus, they’re totally customizable—want some crunch? Add cacao nibs. Prefer a little salty-sweet action? Sprinkle some sea salt on top. And did I mention how ridiculously easy they are? You don’t even have to turn on the oven! What’s better than a no-bake treat you can make in minutes?
What You Need To Make This No-Bake Chocolate Brownie Balls Recipe?
Dates: These little gems are what give the brownie balls their natural sweetness. Plus, they help hold everything together without needing sugar or sticky syrups. If your dates are a bit hard (which happens sometimes), just soak them in warm water for about 10 minutes to soften them up—makes all the difference!
Cacao Powder: This is where all that deep, rich chocolate flavor comes from. Cacao powder is like cocoa powder’s healthier cousin—it’s less processed and packs in more nutrients. But honestly, if you only have cocoa powder on hand, feel free to use that. Either way, you’ll get that dreamy, chocolaty goodness.
Almond Butter: Almond butter adds that creamy texture and a bit of nuttiness that makes these balls taste so rich. If you’re out of almond butter, no worries—any thick nut butter will work. Cashew butter, peanut butter, even sunflower seed butter if you’re avoiding nuts. The flavor might change slightly, but it’ll still be delicious!
Coconut Oil: Just a tablespoon of melted coconut oil helps bring everything together and adds a subtle hint of coconut flavor. Don’t like coconut? No worries! You can barely taste it, but if you want to swap it out, you could use melted butter or even a neutral oil.
Oat Flour: This is what gives the balls a little structure without being too dense. Don’t have oat flour? No problem. You can easily make your own by blitzing oats in the food processor until they’re fine and powdery. It’s an easy swap that saves you a trip to the store!
Vanilla Extract: A tiny splash of vanilla makes everything taste better, right? It adds that warm, familiar flavor that ties all the ingredients together. You don’t need much, but trust me, you’ll miss it if you skip it!
Steps To Make No-Bake Chocolate Brownie Balls:
First things first, toss all your ingredients into a food processor—dates, cacao powder, almond butter, coconut oil, oat flour, and vanilla. Blend it all up until the mixture is nice and smooth. You’ll probably need to stop a couple of times to scrape down the sides of the bowl, just to make sure everything’s getting mixed evenly.
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Once it’s all combined and looking good, scoop out the mixture and start rolling it into balls. You should get about 9 or 10, depending on how big you make them. I like them to be bite-sized, but feel free to make them a little bigger if you want!
Now, if you’re feeling fancy, you can sprinkle some cacao nibs or flaky sea salt on top of each ball for a little extra texture and flavor. This step is totally optional, but it adds a nice touch if you’re into that sweet-salty combo.
That’s it! You can eat them right away, or pop them in the fridge for later. They firm up a bit when they chill, but honestly, they’re great either way.
Tip:
Here’s a little trick to make these brownie balls even more amazing—if you want an extra fudgy texture, try adding a tablespoon or two of water or almond milk while blending. It helps the mixture get super smooth and almost melt-in-your-mouth creamy. And if you’re in the mood to experiment, you can mix in some mini chocolate chips or chopped nuts for a little crunch. Oh, and don’t forget—if your dates are too firm, soak them in warm water for about 10 minutes to soften them up. Trust me, it makes everything blend so much easier. If you want to save some for later, just pop them in an airtight container and store them in the fridge—they’re great for a quick snack throughout the week!
Frequently Asked Questions:
Can I make these without a food processor?
Yes, you can! If you don’t have a food processor, you can chop the dates finely and mix everything by hand. It’ll take a little more elbow grease, but it’s totally doable. A blender can also work in a pinch, though you might need to blend the ingredients in batches if it’s a smaller one.
How long do these brownie balls last in the fridge?
They’ll stay fresh for about a week in an airtight container in the fridge. But let’s be honest—they’re so good, they probably won’t last that long! If you want to keep them longer, you can freeze them for up to a month. Just let them thaw for a few minutes before eating.
Can I make these nut-free?
Absolutely! If you’re avoiding nuts, you can easily swap out the almond butter for sunflower seed butter or even tahini. It’ll give you a slightly different flavor, but still super tasty and creamy. Just make sure the oat flour you’re using is certified gluten-free if needed!
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Planning to try this recipe soon? Pin it for a quick find later!
<Remember it later>
Planning to try this recipe soon? Pin it for a quick find later!
No-Bake Chocolate Brownie Balls
Ingredients
Bliss Balls:
- 1 c tightly packed dates about 16 dates—if they’re a bit tough, just soak them in warm water for 10 minutes to soften
- ¼ c cacao powder
- ¼ c almond butter or swap it out for another thick nut butter like sunbutter or cashew butter
- 1 tbsp melted coconut oil
- 3 tbsp oat flour
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
Optional Toppings:
- Cacao nibs
- Flaky sea salt
Instructions
- Toss all the ingredients into your food processor and blend until everything is smooth and well combined. You might need to stop a couple of times to scrape down the sides—those sticky bits like to cling on!
- Once the mixture is ready, roll it into 9-10 balls, trying to keep them about the same size. If you’re feeling fancy, sprinkle some cacao nibs or a little flaky sea salt on top for extra crunch and flavor. Then dig in and enjoy!
Notes
I’m Bitty, owner of nodashofgluten.com, where I share simple, delicious recipes for all tastes, including gluten-free. Check out my “About Me” page for more info!
