Coach Nicole's Cocoa-Nut Buddies

More sharing options

Share on Twitter

4.4 of 5 (73)

Nutritional Info

Servings Per Recipe: 24
Amount Per Serving
Calories: 76.1

Total Fat: 5.2 g
Cholesterol: 0.0 mg
Sodium: 20.1 mg
Total Carbs: 6.6 g
Dietary Fiber: 1.9 g
Protein: 2.2 g

View full nutritional breakdown of Coach Nicole's Cocoa-Nut Buddies calories by ingredient

Introduction

These completely sugar-free treats with satisfy your sweet tooth without guilt! Peanut-free, gluten-free, sugar-free--and totally delicious. Just 75 calories each! These completely sugar-free treats with satisfy your sweet tooth without guilt! Peanut-free, gluten-free, sugar-free--and totally delicious. Just 75 calories each!

Minutes to Prepare: 5

Minutes to Cook: 5

Number of Servings: 24

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups roasted, unsalted almonds

3/4 cup dates, pitted

3 Tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder

3 tsp vanilla extract

1/4 tsp sea salt

up to 1/4 cup water, divided

1/2 cup unsweetened shredded coconut (optional)

Tips

Do not double or triple this recipe in a single batch--the food processor usually won't be able to mix much more than this amount successfully. To make more, it's best to make additional, separate batches.

Directions

Place dates, almonds, cocoa powder, salt, vanilla and 1 Tbsp of water in a food processor
Pulse on/off for several rounds, approximately 30 seconds.
Pulse on/off for longer intervals for about a minute until mixture is mixed enough that it begins to stick together. (If it remains loose and unpacked, added water a little at a time between pulses to moisten.)
When thoroughly combined and "sticky," remove from processor. Roll into 1-inch balls and then roll through unsweetened coconut.
Serve.
Refrigerate for a week.

Serving Size: Makes 24 1-inch balls

More sharing options

Share on Twitter

Member Ratings For This Recipe

CD13860773

17 of 26 people found this review helpful

2-3 dates have around 27 grams of sugar. - 6/2/13

Reply from COACH_NICOLE (6/12/13)
That is naturally occurring fruit sugar, not added sugar.
AEBROWNSON

15 of 17 people found this review helpful

Seems like you could roll it in ground almonds or cocoa powder as well as coconut. - 7/27/12

Reply from COACH_NICOLE (7/27/12)
Great idea! Ya, the coconut is totally optional. These are easy to make, store and eat without rolling them in anything extra. I just add the coconut b/c I love it! :-)
13610511

13 of 15 people found this review helpful

Plus they have almost 2 grams of fiber per ball, and low carb! - 9/2/12
CD12322716

Incredible!

12 of 16 people found this review helpful

Sounds really yummy! Is the coconut included in the nutritional info/calorie count? - 7/29/12

Reply from COACH_NICOLE (7/30/12)
Yes, coconut is included in the calories. It only adds 6 calories per ball.
JOANOFSPARK

Incredible!

10 of 11 people found this review helpful

oh, yummy........this is so easy.......well, in terms of easy and hard....it is...but I love it cause it tastes so good...and those dates and almonds are so good for us....:) - 6/2/13
KIRSTYCA

Incredible!

8 of 8 people found this review helpful

Omg these are so yummy - thanks for the inspiration. Also a hit with my little girl. - 2/8/13
LIZNIX1

Incredible!

6 of 6 people found this review helpful

These are my new favorite on-the-go snack - especially for early mornings on the way to the gym or yoga class. I think the key is to make sure the almonds are roasted. It brings out the flavor and makes them easier to process. - 3/13/14
SCTF75

6 of 18 people found this review helpful

Looks good and I'm a fan of date and nut bars. However, to call this sugar free isn't exactly correct... Dates have sugar (glucose and fructose). They just don't contain sucrose. - 6/2/13
ARIZONASHELL

6 of 10 people found this review helpful

I was curious if you had a suggestion as to what I could replace the dates with and still keep the calories down? - 2/7/13

Reply from COACH_NICOLE (2/8/13)
Actually the nuts are more caloric than the dates, so maybe use fewer nuts?
SARAHANN88

Incredible!

5 of 5 people found this review helpful

So easy and so yummy. I'm not a fan of the ingredients by themselves but all rolled up into one they are delicious. My 4 year old boy thought they were great too. Didn't quite have enough almonds (only 1 cup) so i added a 1/2 cup of macadamias as well. - 12/15/13
AMASCHING

Good

4 of 4 people found this review helpful

I found this recipe difficult to make. It was messy, I had a hard time getting them the right consistency and they looked terrible. I did like the taste though. - 6/22/13
AMSHARK

4 of 16 people found this review helpful

Sounds like sugar plums without the sugar. "While visions of cocoa-nut buddies danced in their heads..." I'm adding this to my holiday cookbook. - 10/22/12
CD6114535

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

I did put my almonds in a 300 degree oven and roasted them until I could really smell them. Then, in the food processor. I ended up using a whole 1/4 cup of water, partly because my dates were on the dry side. They seem very nice, though I couldn't get the coconut to stick to them very well. - 11/16/14
CHARITY1973

Incredible!

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

Wow, these have been made three times now in our house! We love these nut buddies and have used hazelnuts and almonds both. Next to try is macadamias and maybe apricots. We did soak the dried fruit first to soften and used the soaking water for the recipe. Rolled in sprinkle for colour and fun! - 8/31/13
CD13973153

3 of 12 people found this review helpful

These sound soooo good, but as a diabetic, not so good.
- 6/2/13
NGSMART1

Incredible!

2 of 3 people found this review helpful

We make these all the time now for dessert. Yes, they still have a lot of sugar, but at least it's all coming from fruit. A great variation is to use carob powder instead of the cocoa. Also try rolling them in a mixture of cayenne and paprika. Makes a great treat for Christmas. - 2/13/14
CD13967464

2 of 3 people found this review helpful

I worked previously with the addition of a little cinnamon - 6/2/13
LIVINGSIMPLY355

2 of 9 people found this review helpful

These look so yummy!
Is there something I can swap the dates for? I do not like them too much and do not have any on hand right now. - 6/2/13
DYNAMICDEB53

Good

2 of 7 people found this review helpful

Yummy - 4/23/13
CECELW

2 of 10 people found this review helpful

I gotta try these, I don't like dates but I can tolerate raisins...I already have pretty much everything I need to make these today. - 4/23/13
CD12799443

2 of 7 people found this review helpful

Could you use protein powder in place of the cocoa? - 2/7/13
SRIVERS1

Incredible!

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

These are really good . Made these last Christmas for gifts. I rolled them in coconut & some in coco & some in walnuts & some in Sea Salt, I am going to make them again this year. - 10/21/18
PEGGIE0203

Incredible!

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Delicious! I found them a bit tricky to roll into balls, I probably should have added a bit more water. It helped to wet my hands in between rolling a few times.
I plan to add these to my Christmas goodies plates this year. - 11/2/17
2AWESOME4U

Incredible!

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

We have a recipe similar to this, ours also calls for a bit of rum. For those that want a little more of an indulgence - 9/6/15
LSIG14

Good

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

These are very tasty, but to say they are "completely sugar free" is so wrong...Fruit sugar is still sugar! - 10/21/14
CGALLOW

1 of 4 people found this review helpful

could I use prunes instead of dates? - 2/8/14
VIPEE4

1 of 4 people found this review helpful

dry indian shredded coconut without sugar can be used too! less sugar!
- 8/4/13
OREGON_ANGEL

1 of 6 people found this review helpful

I'm going to try these. Though not 100% sugar free 1 ball has 4.1 grams of sugar from the Dates. For those questioning the nutritional information click on link for the nutritional breakdown below the Nutritional facts you can see it all. :) - 6/2/13
CD26508743

Good - 2/14/21
CORVETTECOWBOY

Sounds really yummy! - 11/25/20
CECTARR

Very Good

Thanks - 10/29/20
JWINKSLLC

Can't wait to make these! Thanks coach! - 10/21/20
TERMITEMOM

Not a fan of dates - 10/21/20
GOFORGIN

Good

Ok - 10/21/20
ANYA_ONION

I see Coach Nicole's response that, of course, the sugar in dates is naturally occurring. I think it would be better to straight up say that there is no added sugar or no refined sugar rather than "sugar-free". If there was naturally occurring gluten, your couldn't call it gluten free. - 10/21/20
JULIJULINN

Very Good

My sweet and fiber snack. TY - 10/21/20
CARD512002

These look good. I am going to have to try them - 10/21/20
CD4114015

Incredible!

great - 10/9/20
MWHIGGINS

Looks yummy - 8/16/20
KITTYHAWK1949

really good. - 6/16/20
MNABOY

Very Good

tasty and healthy - 4/8/20
PATRICIAAK

:) - 3/14/20
KWOOD1955

Easy and tasty!! - 3/4/20
PORTIA70

I thought that we were suppose to be losing weight, not gaining it LOL

This looks so yummy - 2/23/20
EVIE4NOW

O.K.

did not care for. - 2/8/20
NANADERRICK

Love dates so may give this a try! - 1/16/20
SUNSHINE99999

pretty good - 1/16/20
FISHGUT3

thanks - 12/12/19
PREMAM

Very Good

This is an excellent and healthy recipe. Definitely a keeper - 10/22/19
PIZZA5152

Looks good will try - 10/21/19
SHERYE

Oh yummy - 10/21/19
CKEYES1

Have to get some dates - 10/21/19
DAD_AINT_HIP

Almonds and dates lend themselves to so many different spices and flavorings, the possibilities are almost endless - 10/10/19
ROBBIEY

I am so making this - 9/5/19
EOWYN2424

Incredible!

nyumm! simple and yummy! - 8/1/19
CD1987279

great coconut dish - 7/18/19
DMEYER4

great recipe - 7/17/19
RAPUNZEL53

Great - 7/16/19
BONDMANUS2002

Yumm - 7/7/19
BIKE4HEALTH

Very Good

Looks great - 1/28/19
JANIEWWJD

So yummy!!! - 1/24/19
LOSER05

Incredible!

Yummy - 11/29/18
WHITEANGEL4

Very Good

We enjoy these on the rare occasions we want something of thisin our menue - 10/30/18
TOMATOCAFEGAL

O.K.

Allergic to coconut. So many recipes using the oil in them too. - 10/23/18
LEAL536

Sounds really good - don't have the ingredients so I am saving this for another day. I think that I will add a scoop of protein powder to this (will take more liquid) but that will up the protein a bit. - 10/21/18
CD3802882

Incredible!

Easy and delicious! - 10/21/18
ADRIENALINE

Incredible!

They are great - 10/21/18
ETHELMERZ

Very Good

Unsweetened coconut is like eating fingernail clippings, not very satisfying. But the rest of it is ok. - 10/21/18
BILLTHOMSON

Incredible!

These were perfect for a workout treat - 10/21/18
TWEETYKC00

Pretty good snack, thanks for sharing. - 10/14/18
NANCYPAT1

Yum! - 8/30/18
JIACOLO

I want to make these for sure - 8/27/18
SISTERPRETTY

yummy and interesting... - 8/16/18
GRANDMASUSAN13

Oh my and I have everything to make these tomorrow - 8/7/18
NEPTUNE1939

tasty - 7/12/18
PICKIE98

Nut allergy makes us swap peanuts. - 7/11/18
ROSSYFLOSSY

Very Good

My family loves this recipe. - 7/11/18
TEEZETOY

Awesome - 7/5/18
ELRIDDICK

Very Good

Thanks for sharing - 7/1/18
RAZZOOZLE

Very Good

good - 7/1/18
RDCAGAIN10

Incredible!

Yum - 6/25/18
SUSANBEAMON

0 of 1 people found this review helpful

Candy by any other name is still candy. - 6/20/18
JSTETSER

Incredible!

healthy and tasty! - 6/8/18
KATHYJO56

good and easy - 4/8/18
CHERIRIDDELL

nice - 3/11/18
RO2BENT

Look amazing - 2/25/18
BONNIE1552

They look interesting. - 2/19/18
GEORGE815

Great recipe on many levels. - 1/31/18
PLCHAPPELL

Great recipe - 1/28/18
THINCPL2004

Very Good

Myself being a diabetic loved this recipe. this recipe is a keeper - 1/12/18
NASFKAB

great healthy idea thank you - 11/8/17
AMBER461

great idea, thanks for sharing. - 10/30/17
KACEYSW

Incredible!

Love this recipe. Dates are a great way to sweeten things. - 10/24/17
EO4WELLNESS

Yum - 10/22/17
HOTPINKCAMARO49

Easy to make and very tasty! - 10/21/17
DFG5876

Incredible!

Very good, almost like candy but healthy - 10/21/17
JAMER123

This is something we not to our liking in the household. But I thank you for the recipe. - 10/21/17
DAIZYSTARLITE

yummy - 10/21/17
JVANAM

Incredible!

You are the Michelangelo of your own life.
The David that you are sculpting is you.
And you do it with your thoughts.
- Joe Vitale - 10/21/17
AZMOMXTWO

loved these I will make them over and over - 10/21/17