Pistachio Date Balls
Baklava-inspired pistachio date balls are filled with warm flavors from cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, and orange extract. Chopped pistachios and Medjool dates are the perfect combination for a no-bake energy bite snack.
Servings: 4 servings (3 date balls)
Calories: 185kcal
Equipment
- Food Processor
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups water for soaking dates
- 75 grams pitted Medjool dates about 5 dates
- ½ cup unshelled pistachios
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground cardamom see notes
- ¼ teaspoon ground cloves see notes
- ⅛ teaspoon orange extract optional
To Coat Outside
- ¼ cup unshelled pistachios
Instructions
- Boil 1 ½ cups water on the stovetop or microwave it in a glass measuring cup for about 3 minutes. Be very careful removing it from the microwave, I use oven mitts.
- Place 75 grams pitted Medjool dates into the hot water. Let them soak for about 10 minutes until they are softened. If your dates already feel soft to begin with, you can skip this step.
- While your dates soak, place ½ cup unshelled pistachios into a food processor or blender. Process until they are broken into small pieces but not completely ground to a powder.
- Add the chopped pistachio to a small mixing bowl. If you see any pieces that are considerably larger than the rest, feel free to break them apart with your hands or pick them out to process again.
- In the now empty food processor, add ¼ cup unshelled pistachios and process into even smaller, coarse pieces. Set this aside in a small bowl to roll the date balls in later.
- Add ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon, ¼ teaspoon ground cardamom, and ¼ teaspoon ground clovesto the chopped nuts and combine with a spoon.
- Use a fork to remove the soaked Medjool dates from the water. Reserve the water.
- Process the dates until they are mostly smooth. If needed, you can add a bit of the water from soaking them. You don't want to add to much though or the date balls will be very soft.
- Add the processed dates and ⅛ teaspoon orange extract to bowl with the spices and pistachio. Mix until everything comes together.
- Use a teaspoon sized scooper to portion the pistachio date mixture into 12 pieces. Each portion should be about 14 grams.
- Use your hands to roll the pistachio date pieces into smooth balls.
- Roll each pistachio date ball in the ground pistachio.
- You can enjoy the pistachio date balls is immediately or let them chill in the fridge for 30 minutes to firm up.
Notes
Spice Notes: I like these date balls bit stronger on the spices. If you aren't as big of a fan of cardamom or are just wanting the flavors to be less intense, halve the amounts to be ⅛ teaspoon cardamom and ⅛ cloves. I would keep the cinnamon as is though. If you don't have orange extract, this recipe will still be delicious without it!
Storage: I recommend enjoying these date balls within 3 to 5 days. The longer they sit, the more the nuts that are rolled on the outside will be absorbed into the date balls. They're still fine to eat but you won't get as much variety with texture as when they are first made.
Nutrition
Serving: 3date balls | Calories: 185kcal | Carbohydrates: 21g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Sodium: 6mg | Potassium: 367mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 14g | Vitamin A: 88IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 42mg | Iron: 1mg
