Healthy Vegan Date Caramel Macchiato Energy Balls! If you’re chasing a plant-based, coffee-forward snack that tastes like a dessert, these energy balls are your new go-to on-the-go indulgence.
These Healthy Vegan Date Caramel Macchiato Energy Balls are a delightful little treat that feels like a hug in a bite-sized form. Lightly sweet with the natural warmth of coffee undertones and a whisper of caramel, each energy ball delivers a satisfyingly chewy texture and a nutrient-packed punch. They’re incredibly easy to whip up in just minutes, making them the perfect quick snack or mid-afternoon pick-me-up to power you through until your next meal.
Whole Food Plant Based, Vegan, plant based, oil free, refined sugar free, no highly processed ingredients and gluten free.
Hi there, Ameera here!
If you love coffee flavor in desserts, you’ll fall hard for these perfect little energy balls! Picture bites that marry bold espresso notes with creamy caramel vibes and rich chocolatey goodness.
Give this recipe a try and you’ll see why they’re my go-to treat when I need a quick, energizing pick-me-up that stays true to a plant-based lifestyle.
Tips for Success:
- Flavor Profile: These Healthy Vegan Date Caramel Macchiato Energy Balls are lightly sweet with delicious coffee notes and a hint of caramel flavor. They are easy to make and are the perfect pick-me-up to help you power through until your next meal. Perfect as a snack or treat.
- Taste the Mixture: The beauty of these energy balls is that you can taste them before fully committing to shaping them into balls and adjust ingredients as desired.
- Coffee: This is a coffee-lovers energy ball. If you are not a fan of coffee in desserts, then consider skipping this recipe.
- Caramel Macchiato Flavor: If you are expecting these energy balls to taste exactly like Caramel Macchiato, then consider skipping this recipe. This recipe will definitely give you the Caramel Macchiato vibes, and taste delicious, but on the healthy side of delicious.
- Medjool Dates: Medjool dates are naturally very soft and pliant. They work perfectly with this recipe because of this. Test the dates, squeeze them, they should be very soft and gooey. If you have dry dates, place them in a bowl, cover with boiling water, and allow to sit for 30 seconds. Discard the water, and place into the food processor at the appropriate time. If you soaked the Medjool Dates, they might be a little stickier dough than anticipated. You may need to adjust by adding a tad bit more of the rolled oats. However, sticking to the 30 seconds of soaking in boiling water should make them pliable without being overly soaked.
- Weight of the Medjool Dates: We used 8 Medjool dates which weighted 4.6 oz. with pits and 4.2 oz. without the pits. We liked to buy Medjool dates with the pits not removed simply because they appear to last longer than pitted dates.
- Peanut Butter: You will not be able to discern the peanut butter flavor; however, it does add depth of flavor and coupled with the dates gives caramel vibes. If you wish, you can skip the peanut butter by adding an equal amount of almond butter. However, if you have it (peanut butter) on hand, then use it, otherwise just add an additional teaspoon of almond butter.
- Rolled Oats: We like to use gluten free whole grain rolled oats as they are just a tad bit softer than regular whole grain rolled oats. You can use either regular whole grain rolled oats or gluten free whole grain rolled oats.
- Almond Butter Substitutes: You can try the typical almond substitutes: cashew butter, other nut or seed butters with the understanding that the flavor and texture will change accordingly. You may need to adjust/add ingredients to compensate. We have not tested any substitutions.
- Table Salt: If using table salt, you should use less table salt than the amount listed in the
ingredients as sea salt crystals are larger than table salt crystals. Since table salt crystals are very fine, less table salt is required to season a dish. We would suggest starting with about 1/4 to 1/2 the amount of sea salt listed. You can always add more salt but cannot take it away. We recommend using sea salt as it is less refined than table salt.
Leftovers and Freezing:
Leftovers will generally keep 10 days in the refrigerator. Store in a covered air-tight container.
These energy balls freeze well. We suggest placing them on a plate and freezing for 20 minutes separated on the plate, then for long-term freezer storage, after freeze separated, then place in a freezer storage bag.
Pantry Products:
- Almond Butter: We used Artisana Organics Raw Vegan Almond Butter. Feel free to use your favorite raw almond butter in this recipe. Read the label, make sure the only ingredient is raw almonds. Do not use a salted or sweetened almond butter.
- Rolled Oats: Use whole grain rolled oats, not instant oats. We used Bob’s Red Mill Organic Rolled Oats (Whole Grain), Gluten Free.
- Instant Coffee: We used Nescafe Clasico Dark Roast Decaffeinated Instant Coffee. Feel free to use your favorite instant coffee.
- Sea Salt: Please adjust the sea salt based upon your family’s sea salt preferences and/or based upon dietary needs.
Kitchen Equipment:
- Food processor
- Small (1 Tablespoon) cookie scoop (optional)
If you try this these tasty treats, we would love to know if you enjoy it as much as we do! Please leave us a review! Post a picture on Facebook or Instagram and tag us! We would love to hear from you.
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Healthy Vegan Date Caramel Macchiato Energy Balls
- Prep Time: 15 Minutes
- Total Time: 15 Minutes (+20 Minute Rest Time)
- Yield: 15 Bliss Balls 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Diet: Vegan
Description
These Healthy Vegan Date Caramel Macchiato Energy Balls are a delightful little treat that feels like a hug in a bite-sized form.
Ingredients
Base Ingredients:
- 8 Medjool dates, pitted *
- 1 Tablespoon instant coffee
- 1 teaspoon boiling water
- ¾ cup + 2 Tablespoons rolled oats *
- 2 Tablespoons almond butter *
- 1 teaspoon natural peanut butter *
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt *
Optional Add-Ins:
- Handful mini chocolate chips
Instructions
- Place the pitted Medjool Dates into a small bowl, cover with boiling water, allow to stand for 30 seconds, then drain (and discard) the water. Place into a food processor.
- Place the 1 tablespoon instant coffee into a small bowl or cup, add 1 teaspoon boiling water and stir until dissolved, set aside.
- Place all the remaining Base Ingredients into a food processor and process until the mixture begins to comes together, then add the dissolved instant coffee, process until it forms a big ball. Test the mixture.
- Test the “dough mixture” by pinching it to see if it holds together easily. If too soft, add an additional teaspoon or two of rolled oats. If too wet, add a ½ to 1 teaspoon of water. Continue until the dough holds together nicely.
- When the “dough” holds it shape easily, scoop up 1 tablespoon (or a small cookie scoop) of the mixture, roll into a firm ball and set on a plate. Repeat until all the mixture has been rolled into balls.
- Optional: If adding mini chocolate chips, simply place some mini chocolate chips into a bowl and gently roll the ball to allow them to stick to the outside of the balls, then pick up the ball and roll in your hands until they are pressed into the sides of the balls. Repeat until all the balls are coated.
- Place the plate in the freezer for 20 minutes (or the fridge for an hour) or until very firm.
- Once firm, move to an air-tight container, then store them in the refrigerator. They also freeze well.
Notes
Please reference the blog post for Tips for Success, Pantry Products Used, Storage and Freezing, and Kitchen Equipment Used.
Sea Salt: Please adjust the sea salt based upon your family’s sea salt preferences and/or based upon dietary needs.
Servings: Makes 15 balls
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