No-Bake Pecan Pie Date Balls

These 4-ingredient No-Bake Pecan Pie Date Balls will blow your mind! The blended dates create a sweet caramelly texture while the pecans, almonds and vanilla mimic the classic pie flavors perfectly! Try this simple, on-the-go snack!

Just to clarify, dates are not the same thing as prunes. A dried prune may look similar to a date, but they don’t taste the same at all. In fact, dates are sweet, caramelly and chewy. They aren’t dry (or they shouldn’t be), and they really do taste like candy. You can’t say that about a prune!!

Dates, pecans and almonds make up the base of these balls, just like one of my favorite varieties of Larabar – pecan pie! I included a touch of vanilla to really enhance the pie flavor. If you’ve never tried dates, this is the perfect time to see what they can do!

Call them a date ball, call them an energy ball, you do you as long as you make these! Honestly, you’ll be shocked. These cute little balls are incredible. Since they don’t require refrigeration, they are perfect little make-ahead snacks for the work day, road trips, or just life in general.

What are the ingredients in these No-Bake Pecan Pie Date Balls?

Don’t worry, making these balls is nothing like making pecan pie. It’s the flavor that’s mimicked oh so well! These four ingredients are available at any grocery store, but I especially like the nuts and dates from Trader Joe’s.

Be sure to check the recipe card below for specific ingredient quantities and instructions. Here’s more info on all ingredients used and what they bring to the recipe:

• medjool dates – When it comes to dates, you want big, juicy medjools for this recipe. Trader Joe’s sells delicious dates in a perfect quantity – check the refrigerated section by the berries! Other stores don’t usually keep them chilled.
• pecans – For both the almonds and the pecans, you can use either raw or roasted, salted or unsalted. What you choose will impact the taste of the balls when you’re finished. I prefer the taste of roasted and salted nuts, so that’s what I use in this recipe.
• almonds – The Pecan Pie Larabars contain almonds, and I can see why. They provide the slightest flavor contrast to the pecans, simulating a crust flavor in my mind! They’re also firmer, giving you a bit more crunch when enjoying the balls.
• vanilla extract – I think this is the ingredient that takes it from *fruit and nuts* to ~pie vibes~! Vanilla provides that subtle background flavor you also get in most pies.
• sea salt – A bit of salt brings together all the sweetness from the dates, and all the nutty flavors from the pecans and almonds. You want a pinch of salt in these balls somehow, whether it’s from salted nuts, or adding a pinch in yourself.

How do you make these No-Bake Pecan Pie Date Balls?

The best way to blend dates and nuts together is by using a food processor. This is not something you can use a blender for, unfortunately. Other than that, it’s a super simple recipe.

Start by soaking your pitted dates in hot water. I like to put them into a heatsafe bowl (such as a Pyrex), and then pour water heated to around 200F into the bowl. You can also just heat up some water in the microwave. Be careful!

Let the dates soak in the hot water for 10 minutes, then drain them and let them sit in the strainer while you measure out the other ingredients. Soaking the dates helps soften them up and add some moisture to the balls. This helps everything stick together.

Next, add all the ingredients to the bowl of your food processor, including the soaked dates, pecans, almonds, vanilla extra and salt if needed. Put the lid on and blend on High for about 15 seconds. Remove the lid and push the sides down if necessary. Put the lid back on and blend for another 15 seconds.

The mixture should be well blended but with pieces of nuts still visible. It should stick together when you squish it between your fingers. Be careful not to overblend – I think it’s better with a bit of texture from the pieces of nuts!

Once the mixture is blended up, it’s time to roll it into balls. I like to use gloves for this part, but you don’t have to! Just wash your hands. The balls should be around an inch in diameter. If you end up with more or less than 12, that’s totally okay (just note the estimated nutritional information will be off).

And that’s it! Your pecan pie date balls are ready to enjoy. Some people enjoy them a bit firmer (store them in the fridge), and some people like them softer (store on the counter).

Best tips for making Date Balls:

Here are my best tips for making these date balls in your own kitchen:

• Don’t skip the date soaking step! This helps soften up the dates and add a bit of moisture so everything sticks together.
• Don’t overblend the date nut mixture. During testing, I blended one batch up for close to one minute, instead of 30 seconds. There was less texture and less crunch. I prefer the less blended version better!
• Taste to see if you need salt. Depending on the kind of nuts you use, there could be varying levels of saltiness in the mixture after blending. Be sure to give it a taste. If it seems too sweet and you can’t pick out the flavors, add another pinch of salt.

Can I use raw nuts instead of roasted nuts?

Sure! This will change the flavor slightly, but the balls will still be delicious. You will also need to add some salt to the mixture, or sprinkle some coarse or flaky salt on top.

What kind of food processor do you have?

The food processor I use and the one pictured in this post is the Cuisinart 8-Cup Food Processor (affiliate link!).

I love this food processor, with the exception of one little quirk: there’s a tiny space near the top of the handle where stuff (water, food stuff, etc.) gets stuck down inside and you literally can’t clean it. If you know a way to clean this spot, please tell me 😩

That being said, she’s a BEAST and has lasted years. This kitchen appliance has never failed me, and I can tell it’s built to last, despite it being mostly plastic.

How do you meal prep this snack?

To meal prep, simply make the recipe as directed and store in an airtight container with lid in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. Pack a couple balls into individual containers or reusable bags as needed throughout the week.

How to store No-Bake Pecan Pie Date Balls:

For a softer texture, store balls in a sealed container on the counter for up to 7 days. For a firmer texture, store balls in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.

How to freeze No-Bake Pecan Pie Date Balls:

Balls can also be stored in the freezer (tightly wrapped or in an airtight freezer safe container) for up to 3 months for best quality. Thaw on the counter for a couple hours before enjoying.