Hazelnut Chocolate Balls / Chocolate Hazelnut Energy Balls

Hazelnut Chocolate Balls are nutty, chocolatey, naturally sweetened, dairy-free, and absolutely delicious. They are soft, slightly chewy, and have a pleasant crunch from hazelnuts. These vegan and no-bake energy balls are no less than a dessert or a chocolate treat. They are easy to make and require only a few ingredients.

Jump to:

• About Hazelnut Chocolate Balls
• Ingredients
• Step by Step Directions
• Variations
• For The Dry or Hard Dates
• More Energy Bites
• Recipe Card

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About Hazelnut Chocolate Balls

Hazelnuts Chocolate Balls are obviously an inspiration from Ferrero Rocher! My family loves Ferrero Rocher chocolates, and they are on the top list of our favorites. It is always hard to resist these chocolates, and the only way we could find to stay away from them is not to buy them.😒

So to make a healthy and delicious treat, which we can eat guilt-free and remind us of Ferrero Rocher, I came up with this recipe.🤗 

Texture: These energy balls are soft, crunchy, and slightly chewy. Even after refrigeration, they stay soft.

Flavors: Chocolate Hazelnut Energy Balls are full of hazelnuts, chocolatey, sweetened with dates, and delicious.

Ease of Making: Hazelnut Chocolate Balls are no-bake and incredibly easy to make. In a food processor, everything comes together easily, within a minute.

Ingredients

• Hazelnuts: I definitely like lightly toasted nuts than raw. And I will highly recommend using toasted hazelnuts. Toasting enhances the flavor of nuts and makes them crunchier.
• Dates: I have used Medjool dates to make these energy balls. They are more naturally sweetened than other varieties. And they are large, juicy, and very soft. But you can use your favorite variety of dates.
• Cocoa Powder: Use good quality cocoa powder. I have used organic Dutch-processed cocoa powder, which provides darker color and mellow flavor. For a more chocolatey flavor, you can add more cocoa powder.
• Maple Syrup: I have added one tablespoon of maple syrup to make the balls perfectly sweet. But you can skip if you are okay with the sweetness of the dates or add more maple syrup for extra sweetness. Instead of maple syrup, you can use another choice of sweeteners like honey or agave syrup.
• Pure Vanilla Extract: It adds a pleasant and sweet flavor to the energy balls. You can skip it if you do not have it.
• Sea Salt:  A pinch of salt enhances the taste of Hazelnut Chocolate Balls. You can also use table salt instead of sea salt.

Step by Step Directions

• Place hazelnuts on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
• Toast the nuts in the preheated oven at 350° F for 7-8 minutes. 

• When hazelnuts are still warm, rub the kitchen towel to remove most of the skin. Then let them cool completely.
• Take out ¼ cup of hazelnuts, chop them roughly, and set them aside for later use.

• Add 1 cup of toasted hazelnuts to a food processor and process them until the nuts turn into a coarse powder.

• To this, add dates, cocoa powder, maple syrup, vanilla, and sea salt.
• Process until everything is well combined, stick together, and becomes almost like a dough.
• It will take only 30-40 seconds, so do not process for longer.

• Scoop the dough with your hand, a tablespoon or a small ice cream scoop, and form it into small balls using your hands.
• If it is too sticky and hard to form balls, lightly grease your palm with coconut oil or any other neutral oil.
• Roll each ball into chopped hazelnuts. 

• Enjoy the Hazelnut Chocolate Balls right away or store them in an airtight container and place them in the fridge for up to two weeks and in the freezer for up to a month.

Variations

• Instead of 2 tablespoon cocoa powder, add more for a more chocolatey flavor. 
• Adding dark chocolate chips or chocolate chunks will also make the balls extra chocolatey.
• You can also add chia seeds or hemp seeds to make the energy balls healthier.
• Add a couple of tablespoon of vanilla protein powder or chocolate protein powder to make the balls protein-packed.

For The Dry or Hard Dates

• If your dates are hard or dry, that’s okay. But do not use them as it is.
• Soak hard or dry dates in warm water for at least 15-20 minutes.
• After soaking them, completely drain the water, and then use them in the recipe.

More Energy Bites

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