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30 Minutes or Less

5-Ingredient Healthy Cookie Dough Date Bites

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Two cookie dough dates bites stacked on top of each other.

Why You’ll Love These Cookie Dough Date Bites

  • They taste like your favorite cookie dough but are healthy and made with better-for-you ingredients!
  • Made in under 10 minutes with minimal prep – perfect for meal prep.
  • Naturally gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan, and refined-sugar-free!
  • Ideal for lunchbox treats, post-workout energy, or whenever you’re craving a little something sweet.
Cookie dough date bites in a bowl with milk and chocolate chips on the side.

What Makes This Recipe Healthy?

  • Medjool dates provide natural sweetness, fiber, and potassium without added sugar!
  • Rolled oats and peanut butter add sustained energy through complex carbs, healthy fats, and protein.
  • This recipe is naturally gluten-free, dairy-free, and refined sugar-free – yet taste like dessert!

Recipe Variations and Substitutions

  • Nut-Free: Swap in unsweetened sunflower or tahini instead of peanut butter.
  • Lower-Sugar: Use dark or sugar-free mini chocolate chips, or omit them entirely.
  • Flavor Swaps: Stir in cinnamon, cocoa powder, or shredded coconut for added depth.
One cookie dough date bite with a bite taken out.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use almond flour instead of oats?
Yes! Almond flour—or any nut flour—works for a richer, low-carb version.

Will these hold together without rolling?
They’ll firm up in the fridge or freezer, but rolling helps ensure they stay bite-sized.

How long do they last?
Keep them refrigerated up to 2 weeks or freeze for up to 3 months for easy snacking!

Two cookie dough dates bites stacked on top of each other.
5 from 2 votes

5-Ingredient Healthy Cookie Dough Date Bites

Healthy 5-ingredient cookie dough date bites! They’re vegan, gluten-free, sugar-free, and totally delicious. Whip up a batch of these healthy snacks in just a few minutes!
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Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Servings: 12 bites

Ingredients

  • 1 cup medjool dates, pitted
  • 1/2 cup rolled oats
  • 1/2 cup peanut butter, unsweetened
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • pinch of salt
  • 1/4 cup chocolate chips (I recommend mini chocolate chips!)

Instructions

  • Add all ingredients except chocolate chips to a food processor and pulse until a dough forms. All ingredients should be very finely chopped, and mixture will appear crumbly but should stick together when pressed between your fingers.
  • Add in chocolate chips and give just 2 or 3 pulses to incorporate.
  • Use a cookie scoop to scoop mixture, then roll between your palms into balls. Place on a parchment-lined plate and refrigerate for 2 weeks or freeze for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Serving: 1bite | Calories: 100kcal | Carbohydrates: 11g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 6g | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 6g
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30 Minutes or Less

Crunchy No-Bake Peanut Butter Balls

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close-up image of crunchy peanut butter balls.

Crunchy peanut butter balls covered in chocolate! Perfectly sweet, surprisingly healthy, and super easy to make. This no-bake dessert is the perfect summer treat when it’s too hot to turn on the oven!

crunchy peanut butter balls stacked on parchment paper with milk on the side.

What You’ll Need to Make Crunchy Peanut Butter Balls

Creamy Peanut Butter – Unsweetened, creamy peanut butter is the base of this easy dessert recipe. Check your peanut butter labels closely and make sure it doesn’t contain any sugar! Added sugar in the peanut butter would totally throw off the sweetness in this recipe. For unsweetened peanut butter, I love both Trader Joe’s and Teddie’s brand.

Maple Syrup – Really any liquid sweetener will work in these peanut butter balls. Maple syrup, along with honey and date syrup, are the three least processed options which is why I always use and recommend them. Though is you don’t have those, you can use agave nectar instead. Or, for a sugar-free dessert option, check the “Make it Sugar-Free” section below!

Almond Flour – This gluten-free, low-carb flour is one of my favorites! It’s healthy, super easy to find, and virtually flavorless. The almond flour is also super helpful in holding these dessert balls together, so don’t go without it.

Crispy Rice Cereal – One cup of crispy rice cereal gives these peanut butter balls their unexpected crunch! Feel free to use whichever brand you like best. Or, for an even healthier option, use one cup of puffed quinoa instead.

overhead image of crunchy peanut butter balls on an upside-down pie pan.

Tips and Tricks

  • Don’t feel like dipping in chocolate? Save major time and energy my melting the chocolate, then simply drizzling over the top of each ball!
  • For an extra salty plus sweet combo, finish off these crunchy no-bake peanut butter balls with a pinch of flaky sea salt! A bit of salt balances out the sweetness, and adds an extra layer of crunch.
  • These treats are best stored in the refrigerator! The freezer works too, but the fridge helps them hold their shape while also maintaining their crunchiness. But whatever you do, don’t store them at room-temperature, and especially not in the summertime because they will melt!
a stack of no-bake peanut butter balls, one with a bite taken out.

Adjust This Recipe To Your Dietary Needs

Make it Nut-Free: For a nut-free no-bake dessert, sub sunflower seed butter for the peanut butter and 3 tablespoons of coconut flour in place of the almond flour! Still just as delicious, and totally nut-free friendly.

Make it Sugar-Free: Replace the maple syrup in this recipe with your favorite liquid sugar-free sweetener.

Crunchy No-Bake Peanut Butter Balls
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Crunchy No-Bake Peanut Butter Balls

5 from 3 votes
Recipe by Samantha Course: Dessert, SnacksDifficulty: Easy
Servings

16

balls
Prep time

15

minutes
Cooking time

0

minutes
Total time

10

minutes

Crunchy peanut butter balls covered in chocolate! Perfectly sweet, surprisingly healthy, and super easy to make. This no-bake dessert is the perfect summer treat when it’s too hot to turn on the oven!

Ingredients

  • 1 cup creamy peanut butter, unsweetened

  • 1/3 cup maple syrup

  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

  • 1/2 cup almond flour

  • 1 cup crispy rice cereal

  • For dipping/drizzling:

  • 1 cup chocolate chips

  • 1 teaspoon coconut oil

Directions

  • Mix together the creamy peanut butter, maple syrup, and vanilla extract in a large bowl.
  • Add in almond flour and crispy rice cereal, mix to combine.
  • Scoop and roll tablespoon-sized balls of the peanut butter ball mixture between the palms of your hands. Repeat this process until no more mixture remains, should make about 12 crunchy peanut butter balls.
  • Place balls in freezer for 10-15 minutes, and add chocolate chips and coconut oil to a small bowl. Microwave chocolate in 30 second increments until fully melted.
  • Once crunchy peanut butter balls are chilled, dip or drizzle with melted chocolate before placing back in the freezer. Freeze for at least 10 minutes before eating, then store in the fridge.

Recipe Video

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