Mint Chocolate Energy Balls
71 Comments
Updated Feb 14, 2023
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Mint chocolate energy balls to enjoy as a healthy snack or sweet treat! They’re filled with cashews, dates, cacao powder, flaxseeds, and a dash of fresh peppermint.
August is here, which means it’s time for another minty chocolate treat to celebrate my birthday. I normally gravitate towards indulgent desserts such as my mint chocolate vegan cheesecake or peppermint slices. But this year, I thought I’d take a bit of a healthier approach and make energy balls!
This mint chocolate recipe is filled with chocolatey goodness, plus it’s loaded with wholesome ingredients you won’t feel guilty about. That’s why I love energy balls for a healthy snack or after dinner sweet treat.
Mint Chocolate Energy Balls Ingredients
The base formula for energy balls includes healthy fats, fiber, protein and carbs. And today, we’re adding a bit of cacao powder for rich chocolatey flavor. Here’s what’s in them.
- Cashews: A great source of healthy protein, fats, and carbs!
- Medjool Dates: Not only do dates provide natural sweetness, but they’re a great source of fiber.
- Cacao Powder: I always grab cacoa powder (which is slightly less processed), but unsweetened cocoa powder works as well.
- Ground Flaxseeds: These little seeds are incredible for improving digestion, and have many other health benefits!
- Peppermint Extract: Just one teaspoon is needed for the right amount of minty freshness. And if you’re wondering which brand I use, be sure to check out the recipe notes below!
- Salt: A pinch of salt helps to balance out all the flavors.
Find the printable recipe with measurements below
How To Make Mint Chocolate Energy Balls
To create the best texture (that can easily roll up into a ball), it’s best to use a food processor. But if you use a high-powered blender, just make sure to pulse the mixture (scraping down the sides as needed), so it doesn’t get completely blended.
- Blend. Add everything into a food processor and blend until it becomes a gritty, sand-like texture.
- Scoop. Use a medium cookie scoop to scoop and roll the mixture into balls with your hands – that’s it!
The Best Meal Prep Snack
If energy balls aren’t part of your meal prep, it’s time to add them. Not only do they store incredibly well in the fridge, but in the freezer as well!
To store: These can be stored either in the fridge or on your countertop at room temperature for up to 2 weeks. Just keep them in a sealed bag or container and you’re good to go.
To freeze: Yep, you can freeze these for up to 3 months! But make sure to add parchment paper in between so they don’t stick together.
More Energy Balls To Enjoy
The beauty of energy balls are that they’re so customizable. Here’s a few ideas to get you started.
- Banana Bread Energy Balls: Perfect for when you want bite sized banana bread!
- Mango Date Energy Balls: If you’re a mango lover, this one’s for you.
- No Bake Energy Balls: This is a classic chocolate and oatmeal combo.
- Matcha Pistachio Bliss Balls: Get your daily dose of matcha with this extra green bliss ball.
If you make these mint chocolate energy balls, let me know how it turned out! I’d love to hear what you think in the comments below.
Mint Chocolate Energy Balls
Description
Ingredients
- 1 cup raw cashews
- 10 pitted Medjool Dates
- ¼ cup cacao powder
- 2 tablespoons ground flaxseeds
- 1 teaspoon peppermint extract
- pinch of sea salt
Instructions
- Add all of the ingredients to a food processor, and process on high until the mixture starts to stick together.
- Using a medium cookie scoop, scoop a ball and roll it in between your hands. Then place it on a plate. Continue this process until you've used up all the dough.
Lisa’s Tips
- It’s best to use fresh dates that are nice and moist. If your dates are a bit dried out, you can either soak them in warm water for 10 minutes, or add 1 to 2 teaspoons of water to the food processor. If you have problems with the energy balls not sticking together, you likely need to add a little bit of water and then blend some more.
- When it comes to peppermint extract, this is my favorite! I think it has the most “real” peppermint flavor.
Nutrition
©Downshiftology. Content and photographs are copyright protected. Sharing of this recipe is both encouraged and appreciated. Copying and/or pasting full recipes to any social media is strictly prohibited.
Nice! I’m going to try this one out in the family. Thanks so much as a new wife (and step mama) I’ve leaned so much from you. Turmeric Rice is one of our favs!
Hope everyone enjoys these energy balls!
I love chocolate and love these Mint Balls. I don’t feel guilty one bit eating these protein balls. Thank you!!
Glad you’re loving these energy balls Michelle!
OMG!! Just made these and they’re amazing!!! So quick and easy! I didn’t have the recommended extract so I used my old McCormicks peppermint and only used 1/2 a tsp. Added about 2 tsps water to help bind everything. I LOVE THESE!!
quick easy delish
Umm….WoWie-WoW!!
These are Ri-DUNC-u-LOuS-ly delicious!!! It’s one of those recipes where I just happened to have ALL of the ingredients. Start to finish in NO TIME. Loving these.
Absolutely delicious. We’ve made other energy bite recipes, but this one is much better. It’s not a dry.
Hi Miss Lisa.
I see this recipe and others include Flaxseed or Ground Flaxseed. I’ve recently discovered I am allergic. What can be substituted for the ground flaxseed in this recipe?
Hi Kendra – you can substitute the flaxseed with chia seeds. :)
Making these mint balls for the 10th time! I love them but, they dont last long enough😁😁😁
Thank you so much Lisa. I enjoy all of your recipes and I have yet to find one I don’t like!
I absolutely love your recipes! I was wondering if almonds could be substituted for the cashews as my kids are highly allergic to this particular nut
Yep, that’s fine.
Is there a substitute for the dates in this recipe?
I should have a template to just paste here to review all your recipes- fantastic, easy to prepare, amazingly delicious & healthy!
Happy to hear you’re enjoying all the Downshiftology recipes so far Alice :)
I have loved your other recipes I’ve made & really want to try this, but dang, raw cashews are expensive! Do you have a good source? I live in AZ. :)
They are on the pricier side, but I normally just buy them from Sprouts or Whole Foods.
These are such an easy snack, I also prepare a similar one with peanuts instead of Cashews and my little one likes it a lot..
Hi! Would love to try this, and was wondering if I can sneak in some protein powder into this. If so, how much protein powder should I put in?
Sure, go for it! I’d start with one scoop at a time and see how it goes.
Your article on “HOW TO MAKE MINT CHOCOLATE ENERGY BALLS” was so delicious and also helpful for me because I made this desert item for my children on every weekends. Thanks for sharing this awesome recipe.
Thrilled to hear both you and the kiddos love these energy balls!
I just made your mint choc energy ball recipe, omg they are SO good! 😋 These taste way too good to be good for you! Definitely making these weekly, thanks for the amazing recipe! 🤗
Thrilled to hear you loved these chocolate energy balls :)
I love chocolate ball recipe Thank you for posting and I hope keep posting.
Glad you enjoyed these energy balls!
I love your recipes…
I’m going to make the mint chocolate energy ball… but i have a question:
Its hard for me to find peppermint extract were i live… can i sub it with vanilla or rum or almonds extract?
Thank you
Yes, no problem!
Oh My Goodness……these are absolutely delicious. I subbed coconut extract (just a 1/4 tsp) for the mint because I didn’t have any.
Sooooooo glad I did…….two of my fave tastes, chocolate and coconut!
I love that they’re not overly sweet (but just enough) and that they are very satisfying.
Thank you Lisa for the recipe for these little incredibly easy to make jewels. The perfect “I just need a little something” snack.
Thrilled to hear you’re loving these energy balls!
Hi Lisa, I don’t have peppermint extract. What do you think if I use fresh mint?
You can blend in fresh mint, but you might need to play around with the amount of leaves to use to get enough minty goodness.
Easy, delicious, and healthy. My three favourite attributes!
Energy balls are honestly the best of all worlds!
Hi Lisa,
I absolutely LOVE your recipes! My daughter has a suspected cashew allergy. I see that others have used walnuts and almonds that worked well. Any ideas on how to make them school safe (I.e. no peanuts or tree nuts)? Do you think it would work if I substituted sunflower or pumpkin seeds instead of cashews?
Thanks so much!
Elena
I haven’t tried this without nuts yet, but I’m thinking it could work if you add enough quantity.
Hello from Montreal! this recipe turned out great for me. I didn’t have flax seeds so I used hemp seeds instead, and only 1/4 tsp of the peppermint extract as I find my brand to be overpowering and they were perfect, yummy . Love your recipes Lisa!
Glad this worked out with hemp seeds instead :)
Hello Lisa, hello from Montreal. I just discovered you . I love your recipes! I don’t have flaxseeds can I substitute with something else?
You can also use chia seeds.
Hi Lisa, would I be able to use the dutch process unsweetened cocoa? Or can you recommend the brand that you used for this energy ball recipe. Thanks!
Any cocoa or cacao powder will work. You can find the one I use in my Shop page :)
I cannot eat dates because they are too sweet, so used bananas instead. This is a very tasty recipe and I thank you for it. Except that 1 teaspoon peppermint extract is way too much! I had to keep adding ingredients in order to dilute the strong flavor and ended up with a big batch.
Hi Ellen – I’m glad you enjoyed the recipe! Different peppermint extracts can seem more potent than others, make sure to check the notes of the recipe for the one I recommend.
Works well with walnuts too!
Glad you enjoyed these chocolate energy balls!
I ended up adding a few chocolate chips as well, and it turned out so well! Thank you for this delicious, incredibly easy snack recipe!
Great idea on the additional chocolate chips!
I made these today and they are so yummy. Even my fussy son loved them! Thanks for another fabulous recipe and Happy Birthday :)
Happy to hear this satisfied even the picky eaters :)
Happy Birthday Lisa! I love anything with mint and chocolate and can’t wait to try this.
If you love mint and chocolate – there’s no doubt you’ll love this recipe!
Happy Birthday Lisa! You’re an amazing chef and so caring to be helping us folks who have autoimmune and other issues. I hope you have had the best of birthdays. Thank you for another amazing recipe.
Best, Kylea-Rose
Thanks so much for your kind words Kylea! :)
Happy birthday
Hope your enjoying yourself
🎊🎁🎉🎂🥦
Thanks so much Luke!
Could you please leave the recipe so that we can send it to ourselves?
You can find the full recipe in the recipe card towards the bottom of the page.
🎉HAPPY BIRTHDAY LISA!!! 🎈
WooHoo!! 🎊I hope you had a FABULOUS day!
This recipe is going on my must make list, you can’t go wrong with a chocolate/mint treat.
I really like your Matcha Pistachio Bliss Balls, so yummy!
So I’m crossing my fingers that these work out for me too!
You’re so sweet Dalila! Hope you enjoy this new minty chocolate treat :)
Happy birthday mint chocolate queen 👑🎁
Wishing you all best in everything you put your mind to. Thank you for all your amazing recipes.
Thanks so much for the birthday wishes Cristina!
i dont care for cashews so can i use almonds instead and what quantity of almonds as a substitute for cashews should i use?
You will use the same amount.
I’m going to make these and take them to the Hollywood Bowl Thursday night! Can’t wait.
Happy Birthday, Lisa! Hope you’ve been having a wonderful day.
Excited for you to try these Alan! Hope you have an amazing time at the Hollywood Bowl :)
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!MAY GOD BLESS YOU ALWAYS!
IM SURE GONNA MAKE MINT CHOCOLATE ONE DAY.I’L LET YOU KNOW.
Thanks so much Leonor!
The Mediterranean Ground Beef Stir Fry is delicious. I had 4 meals from this recipe. The flavor improved daily over a period of 4 days. I added the Feta cheese daily. It adds so much to the taste.
This stir fry is a winner!!
Glad this tasted even better over time Barbara!