In our household, we take snacks very seriously. For those of us living the keto lifestyle, snacks are even more essential to keep the hunger pangs at bay while staying on track with our goals. While I love a good keto smoothie or zucchini fries, sometimes I need something quick to eat on the go. That’s where these keto balls come in. Not only are they tasty, but they’re satisfying, with protein, fiber, and less than 4 grams of net carbs per ball!
Why this recipe works
4 ingredients. Two kinds of nuts, cocoa powder, and dates. That’s it! Easy to customize. Like keto fat bombs, these energy balls are easily customizable. You can swap the nuts or add different mix-ins. The options are endless, and I’ll be sure to give some inspiration later on. Minimal prep time. Just process all the ingredients in a food processor, then shape the balls and let them chill in the fridge.
What we love most about this recipe is how effortlessly we can incorporate them into our weekly meal prep. I usually make a big batch on Sunday. That way, I can enjoy them all week long.
Ingredients needed
As I mentioned, there are no fancy or hard-to-find ingredients required. Here is exactly what you’ll need:
Raw cashews and almonds. Raw, unsalted cashews and almonds are best. I have also tested them with pecans and walnuts, and they turned out just as tasty. Medjool dates. I highly recommend Medjool dates, particularly since they have the most caramel-y texture and flavor. If you can’t find Medjool dates, you’ll want to soak the dates in warm water for an hour before blending. Cocoa powder. I prefer 100% unsweetened and Dutch-processed cocoa powder. To avoid clumps, you can sift the powder, though I usually don’t have any trouble.
Find the printable recipe with measurements below.
How to make keto energy balls
Step 1- Blend the nuts. In a high-speed blender or food processor, add the nuts and blend until a crumbly texture remains. Step 2- Add the rest of the ingredients. Add the Medjool dates and blend until the batter becomes thick and gooey. Then add the cocoa powder and continue blending or pulsing, stopping periodically to scrape down the sides of the blender/food processor. Step 3- Shape the balls and chill. Pour the chocolate energy ball batter into a large bowl. Using slightly wet hands, form the dough into small balls and transfer them to a plate lined with parchment paper. Refrigerate for 10 minutes or until firm.
Recipe tips and variations
Avoid overblending the nuts. Lest you end up with nut butter! Though I suppose worse things could happen. Use a cookie scoop. When I don’t feel like using my hands, I’ll scoop the batter with my 1-inch cookie scoop instead. Make keto energy bars. I’ve found that sometimes energy bars are easier to make and bring with me than balls. To make bars, press the batter into a baking pan lined with parchment paper, refrigerate, then slice.
Flavor variations
As much as I enjoy this recipe as is, sometimes I like to switch things up. Use my base recipe with any of the following mix-ins.
Chocolate snickerdoodles- Add a few teaspoons of cinnamon. Double chocolate- Fold in a few tablespoons of sugar-free chocolate chips. Cookie dough- Use only almonds as the base and fold in chocolate chips. Chocolate coconut- Fold in ¼ cup of shredded coconut. Chocolate peanut butter- Swap the cashews for peanuts.
Storage instructions
To store: Store leftover keto balls in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 2 weeks. To freeze: Transfer energy balls to a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 2 months. Let frozen keto balls thaw overnight in the fridge before enjoying.
Frequently asked questions
More keto snacks to try
Keto crackers– Made with just 2 ingredients. Chaffles– Crispy, fluffy, savory chaffles PERFECT for sandwiches. Chicharrones– Ask my family what their favorite snack recipe of mine is, and they’ll tell you chicharrones! Parmesan crisps– You’ll never see parmesan cheese the same way again.
Recipe originally published January 2019 but updated to include new information for your benefit.
