Created by experts, Kids Eat in Color is the leading resource for families seeking evidence-based information and strategies on child nutrition and feeding.
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Need an easy snack for kids that is quick and easy to make, requires minimal cleanup and makes several servings at once? Look no further than these delicious date balls. They’re made with dates, walnuts, cacao or cocoa powder, orange zest and vanilla.
It’s snack time and you need a dish that you can make quickly, without waiting for the oven to preheat. The snack gets bonus points if it makes enough for leftovers and doesn’t require much cleanup.
What snack recipe prepares several snacks in about 15 minutes with minimal cleanup? Energy balls, like in this easy recipe!
Energy balls are a great snack for kids for many reasons – but we love this version of date balls because they can be easily modified to fit your child’s preferences. They also come together in about 15 minutes and they use only your food processor. Plus, you end up with snack balls leftover for future snacks.
Energy balls for kids
While date balls can be made with many different ingredients, this chocolate-orange energy balls recipe is great for kids.
On one hand, this snack recipe helps expose kids to walnuts. Walnuts can sometimes have a bitter edge that kids don’t like. Walnuts can also be a good way to get omega-3 fatty acids, which kids need. These date balls are a great way to include walnuts in your child’s diet.
Dates are another reason to love this recipe. They add a tasty sweetness to each bite, and they contain calcium, potassium and fiber. Dates also help the balls stay together.
Note: Walnuts and other nuts are common choking hazards for kids under the age of 4. To learn more about choking hazards and how to prevent choking in kids, read our blog.
Picky eating tip
Need help getting your picky eater to try energy balls with dates? Making the balls together with your child can help them learn about the individual ingredients.
As they help you add everything to the food processor, let your child touch, smell, taste and explore the ingredients if they choose. This is a great low-pressure exposure for picky kids.
You can also describe the foods in neutral terms. For instance, you could use words like “sweet,” “chewy” and “sticky” to describe dates to your child, instead of using terms like “tasty” or “good for you.”
If necessary, substitute the walnuts for sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds or even sunflower seed butter.
How to make date snack balls
It takes only two steps to make these easy date balls for kids.
Add all ingredients to a food processor and process until smooth.
Roll the mixture into balls.
How to serve these energy balls to kids
Both novelty and fun go a long way when feeding kids, especially picky kids. So, when serving snack balls to kids, make them fun and switch up the way you serve them.
Roll the balls into different toppings to keep things fun and add color. Topping ideas include sprinkles, cocoa powder, shredded coconut, hemp seeds and chia seeds.
For another fun serving idea, put energy balls on lollipop or popsicle sticks, like cake pops. Food is extra fun on a stick, isn’t it?
Note: If serving to toddlers, serve in small, broken-up pieces while they are sitting down. These are chewy, so they aren’t appropriate for toddlers if you serve in big chunks or balls.
Snacks for kids
Need more snack ideas? Read our guide to snacks for toddlers and kids and learn how to make snacks that actually keep your kids full between meals.
In a food processor, combine all ingredients and process until the oils start to come out.
Roll mixture into small balls.
Notes
If serving to toddlers, serve in small, broken-up pieces while they are sitting down. These are chewy, so they aren’t appropriate for toddlers if you serve in big chunks or balls.
Did you make this recipe?Tag us with your recipe @kids.eat.in.color and follow for the best positive help for feeding babies, picky eaters, and all kids
About Kids Eat in Color
Created by experts, Kids Eat in Color is the leading resource for families seeking evidence-based information and strategies on child nutrition and feeding.
Jennifer Anderson is a registered dietitian and has a masters of science in public health from Johns Hopkins School of Public Health. In 2019, she founded Kids Eat in Color®, a public health resource that improves child and family nutrition and mental health. Prior to starting Kids Eat in Color® she coordinated youth nutrition programs at a food bank, performed research in inner-city food deserts, and consulted for the USDA national office SNAP-Ed program. Her academic background is in public health nutrition, cultural anthropology, and economics.
This free veggie exposure shopping list and menu planner will give you ideas for bringing more veggies into your home (AND help you get your little one closer to eating them!).
Need an easy snack for kids that is quick and easy to make, requires minimal cleanup and makes several servings at once? Look no further than these delicious date balls. They’re made with dates, walnuts, cacao or cocoa powder, orange zest and vanilla.
Date balls recipe
It’s snack time and you need a dish that you can make quickly, without waiting for the oven to preheat. The snack gets bonus points if it makes enough for leftovers and doesn’t require much cleanup.
What snack recipe prepares several snacks in about 15 minutes with minimal cleanup? Energy balls, like in this easy recipe!
Energy balls are a great snack for kids for many reasons – but we love this version of date balls because they can be easily modified to fit your child’s preferences. They also come together in about 15 minutes and they use only your food processor. Plus, you end up with snack balls leftover for future snacks.
Energy balls for kids
While date balls can be made with many different ingredients, this chocolate-orange energy balls recipe is great for kids.
On one hand, this snack recipe helps expose kids to walnuts. Walnuts can sometimes have a bitter edge that kids don’t like. Walnuts can also be a good way to get omega-3 fatty acids, which kids need. These date balls are a great way to include walnuts in your child’s diet.
Dates are another reason to love this recipe. They add a tasty sweetness to each bite, and they contain calcium, potassium and fiber. Dates also help the balls stay together.
Note: Walnuts and other nuts are common choking hazards for kids under the age of 4. To learn more about choking hazards and how to prevent choking in kids, read our blog.
Picky eating tip
Need help getting your picky eater to try energy balls with dates? Making the balls together with your child can help them learn about the individual ingredients.
As they help you add everything to the food processor, let your child touch, smell, taste and explore the ingredients if they choose. This is a great low-pressure exposure for picky kids.
You can also describe the foods in neutral terms. For instance, you could use words like “sweet,” “chewy” and “sticky” to describe dates to your child, instead of using terms like “tasty” or “good for you.”
Download our free picky eater’s guide for more expert advice on managing picky eating.
Date ball ingredients
This energy ball recipe uses only 5 ingredients.
Nut allergies?
If necessary, substitute the walnuts for sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds or even sunflower seed butter.
How to make date snack balls
It takes only two steps to make these easy date balls for kids.
How to serve these energy balls to kids
Both novelty and fun go a long way when feeding kids, especially picky kids. So, when serving snack balls to kids, make them fun and switch up the way you serve them.
Roll the balls into different toppings to keep things fun and add color. Topping ideas include sprinkles, cocoa powder, shredded coconut, hemp seeds and chia seeds.
For another fun serving idea, put energy balls on lollipop or popsicle sticks, like cake pops. Food is extra fun on a stick, isn’t it?
Note: If serving to toddlers, serve in small, broken-up pieces while they are sitting down. These are chewy, so they aren’t appropriate for toddlers if you serve in big chunks or balls.
Snacks for kids
Need more snack ideas? Read our guide to snacks for toddlers and kids and learn how to make snacks that actually keep your kids full between meals.
For even more ideas, download our Everyday Snacks ebook!
No-Bake Chocolate Orange Date Balls
Ingredients
Instructions
Notes
Nutrition