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Healthy Chocolate Hazelnut Date Balls, inspired by Ferrero Rocher are made with hazelnuts, dates, pumpkin puree, and cocoa powder.

Homemade Ferrero Rocher (Hazelnut) Date Balls

These are so fun! Naturally sweetened date balls are a no-bake sweet snack or dessert made primarily from dates. They’re popular for his or her simplicity and dietary value and are easily customizable to non-public tastes or dietary requirements. Ferrero Rocher is my favorite which inspired these date balls made with hazelnuts, Medjool dates, pumpkin puree, and cocoa powder to make these healthy, energy-packed, high-fiber treat. I prefer to keep them in my fridge or freezer for a fast snack on the go. More date ball recipes are Chocolate Brownie Date Balls, Pumpkin Pistachio Energy Balls, and Fudge Snow Balls.

Are energy balls healthy?

These healthy Ferrero Rocher date balls have 2 grams of protein, 3 grams of fiber, and 90 calories. They’re perfect for a fast snack or dessert if you just need a couple of bites of something chocolatey and sweet. Plus, they’re vegan.

Ferrero Rocher Date Ball Ingredients

Ferrero Rocher has a hazelnut in the center with a Nutella filling (a creamy chocolate hazelnut spread) and a skinny wafer shell that’s covered in chocolate and hazelnut pieces. Here’s what’s in my easy Ferrero Rocher date ball recipe:

• Hazelnuts: I used the hazelnuts 3 ways – an entire nut in the center, finely ground hazelnuts within the date mixture, and coarsely chopped ones on the skin.
• Dates: Medjool dates are my favorite, that are sweeter and greater than regular dates, also called Deglet Noor dates. If you must swap them with regular ones, it’s possible you’ll need a couple of extras since they’re smaller than Medjool.
• Pumpkin Puree: Canned or homemade pumpkin puree adds creaminess and fiber.
• Sea Salt: All you would like is a pinch.
• Cocoa Powder: My favorite cocoa is Dutch process, which is darker and fewer bitter. Regular unsweetened cocoa may also work.
• Vanilla Extract for flavor

Tips on how to Make Ferrero Rocher Date Balls

1. Hazelnuts: Place a 3rd cup of nuts in a food processor and process until they’re chopped. Set them aside in a small bowl together with 16 whole hazelnuts. Pulse the remaining nuts within the food processor until finely ground.
2. Remaining Ingredients: Add the dates, pumpkin, cocoa, salt, and vanilla to the processor with the finely ground hazelnuts.
3. Form the Energy Balls: Using a spoon or your hands, scoop out the date mixture and roll it into 16 equal balls, placing one whole hazelnut into the center. Roll each ball within the remaining nuts. Serve.

Tips on how to Store Ferrero Rocher Date Balls

Refrigerate these chocolate hazelnut date balls for seven days or freeze them for up to a few months. If frozen, store them within the refrigerator before eating or set them on the counter for a bit to melt.

Variations

• Dates: Swap Mejool dates with regular ones, but add a couple of more since they’re smaller. You can even use prunes.
• Nuts: Use pecans or walnuts as an alternative of hazelnuts.
• Nut Allergies: In case you’re allergic to nuts, substitute pumpkin or hemp seeds for the hazelnuts.
• Pumpkin: Sub mashed banana or applesauce for pumpkin puree.
• Cocoa Powder: Switch out the cocoa powder with chocolate protein powder for extra protein.

More No-Bake Dessert Recipes You’ll Love

Prep: 20 minutes mins

Cook: 0 minutes mins

Total: 20 minutes mins

Yield: 8 servings

Serving Size: 2 balls

• Place 1/3 cup of the hazelnuts in a food processor fitted with a metal blade.

• Process until nuts chopped. Transfer to a small bowl and put aside.

• Set 16 nuts aside. Then add the remaining hazelnuts to the food processor and process until finely ground.

• Add the dates, pumpkin purée, cocoa powder, salt and vanilla extract and proceed to process until ingredients are combined and smooth.

• Using a spoon (or your hands), scoop and roll the mixture into 16 equal balls, placing 1 whole nut into every one.

• Then roll each ball within the remaining hazelnuts and serve immediately or store within the freezer or the fridge.

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Serving: 2 balls, Calories: 90 kcal, Carbohydrates: 9.5 g, Protein: 2 g, Fat: 6 g, Saturated Fat: 0.5 g, Sodium: 1 mg, Fiber: 3 g, Sugar: 6 g