These No Bake Chocolate Peppermint Balls are a perfect healthy holiday treat! 
Do you know that being pregnant this time of year is hard? Like, really, really hard? Something sweet is being pushed my way every other second and it’s as if I have a built-in excuse to say, “Why not?” and indulge.
Again and again.
I can still indulge in the regular, full-on holiday treats being passed my way once in a while, but having these kind of treats on hand helps me keep a balance. 
They satisfy my craving for the sweet confections of the season and sure feel like I’m indulging.
Except they’re made with wholesome ingredients and are sweetened with dates instead of white sugar. 100% healthier than most of the Christmas treats you find out there.
The second best thing about these incredible little chocolate peppermint balls? You can have them made in 15 minutes. Need a last minute hostess gift? Need a sweet treat now? Don’t have time to make traditional holiday candies or cookies? Here you go.
How to Make No Bake Chocolate Peppermint Balls
No bake chocolate peppermint balls
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 18 balls 1x
Description
No bake snacks to ease your sugar cravings!
Ingredients
- 2 (scant) cups pitted dates (I used one 8 ounce package Sun Maid pitted dates)
- 1 cup walnuts
- 4 tablespoons cocoa powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon peppermint extract (optional)
- 5–7 mini candy canes, crushed (look for a natural variety without food dyes)
Instructions
- Put all ingredients except candy canes in a high-powered blender or food processor. Process until you have a smooth mixture. Place the crushed candy canes into a shallow bowl. Roll the date mixture into 2-teaspoon sized balls and then roll the balls in the crushed candy cane mixture to coat them. Use your fingers to press any bigger candy canes pieces that don’t stick on their own into the balls.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Snacks
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 ball
- Calories: 99
- Sugar: 11.6g
- Sodium: 127mg
- Fat: 5.5g
- Carbohydrates: 15.1g
- Protein: 5.6g
Keywords: healthy snack
I should add that these are equally good without the crunchy candy cane coating. If you just need a chocolate fix, go ahead and make them without the candy canes.
You can even leave out the peppermint extract. That just gives them an extra minty flavor I was looking for. Either way, indulge!
Please note that this recipe was first published in 2011. I’m not currently pregnant. 🙂 A video and new photos were added in December 2019.
This is such an amazing recipe! I loved it and my family did too!
★★★★★
I’m so happy to hear that! Thanks for your feedback. 🙂
So delicious! Finally made these and loved them. I only did half with the candy cane pieces so Camryn could have some and she loves them too. Super easy to make and definitely feels like a delicious satisfying holiday snack.
★★★★★
Glad to hear it, Kelli!! 🙂
Do these travel well?:)
Yes, they do!
Do you have nutriential info.?
Each ball is approximately 75 calories, with 1.5 grams of protein, and 3.5 grams of fat. I hope that helps!
Any suggestions on how to make these without nuts so I can bring them to my sons daycare teachers…they look SO good but I cant bring nuts on the premises 🙁
I’m sorry this is late–with a new baby in the house I’ve gotten behind on my comment replies. I wish could think of something to substitute for the nuts, but I’m not sure how they’d turn out without them. I’m guessing it’s too late for you to make them for your son’s teachers now anyway, but in the future maybe some seeds would work? Sunflower or pumpkin seeds? I’ll have to try that sometime. Let me know if you try it!
These look delicious. I’m definitely going to be eating a lot of raw balls this winter to try and cut sugar cravings with more natural sweeteners. I like the idea of adding candy canes for something a little fun.
Love that first photo! Your festiveness (is that even a word?) is making me feel like a grinch. I have yet to make a single holiday treat–healthy or otherwise. I’m such a slacker.
I can’t wait to make these!!! You are speaking my language 🙂 BTW- The photos look awesome, so pretty and yummy too!! Looks like we will be getting a week 39 update, huh? That little guy is holding tight.
Thank you, Amy. 🙂 Yep, the 39 week update is coming up. I am late posting it today, so I’m sure it seemed like I was going into labor. No such luck!
These look so yummy! Quick questions…what kind of cocoa powder do you use?
I am not loyal to one specific brand. I just use natural, unsweetened cocoa powder.
These look great and your pictures are so beautiful and festive! It sure is hard when people are shoving things in your face, but I feel like it get’s easier and easier for me to resist when I want to and indulge when I can!
Thank you, Lisa! 🙂
I love that you rolled them in peppermint! How adorable!
LOVE the pictures, they are beautiful! And the recipe sounds amazing!
Thank you, Lauren! 🙂
What a great recipe! Really wanna try it! Just gotta get some dates. And you did a fab job on the pics…..totally look magazine-worthy! I’ve been following your pregnancy updates and love reading each one. Haven’t commented as much lately, but looking forward to hearing news of your new baby bean soon!
Many Blessings this Christmas season!
Thank you so much, Leigh Anne! No news yet…getting ready to post my 39 week update. 🙂
I have to say, those look so good! I would totally be satisfied eating those during the holidays.
I was going to make something almost exactly the same (except with almonds- that’s what is on hand here.) I’m going to go with “Great minds think alike!” …..That would be super hard for me having built in excuse and all during Christmas. Treats like this usually taste a million times better than the unhealthy things anyways! 🙂 Yummm!
Great minds do think alike, my friend! 🙂
I just made them as a gift for a teacher’s aid of mine- they are HEAVEN! I ate one and it was a huge mistake! Now, I am just itching to eat the whole plate!
Thinking of you and Baby Bean! Crossing my fingers and praying for you and your family! I can’t wait to hear the news! 🙂
I’m glad you liked these! I hope your aid liked them, too. 🙂
yum! these look heavenly — thanks for sharing!
It is hard! It really doesn’t help when you do say you shouldn’t and everyone else pushes more and says go ahead! I don’t need any motivation to try these out though, I’ll be making these for sure after I get some candy canes 😀