Tahini almond date bites are an easy, uniquely flavored snack. With a short whole food ingredient list and a light, natural sweetness, these date bites will be your go to snack.
recipe originally published January 27, 2012
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Why everyone loves these tahini date bites
If you are looking for a satisfying snack that isn't too sweet, these tahini almond date bites are chewy with mildly sweet, nutty flavors.
The savory flavors of tahini pair well with the sweetness of dates. Medjool dates are my favorite to use with snack balls like this, their sweet flavor is like caramel. Whatever dates you have on hand will absolutely work, and the recipe has measurements to accommodate any size date.
I love to eat one of these before a workout if I need a little protein but don't want to eat before cardio activity. A few of these date balls make a great snack or even breakfast when paired with a smoothie.
Tips for making snack balls
- When using sticky, dried fruit like dates, soak the dried fruit in hot water for 10 minutes, to soften. This makes the dates easier to incorporate into the dough.
- When forming and rolling the snack bites with your hands, get your hands wet first to avoid the dough sticking to your hands.
- If the dough in this recipe is falling apart, it needs more moisture. Add tahini by the teaspoon until it holds together.
- If the dough is too sticky, add more almonds a tablespoon at a time.
Variations on this recipe / Ingredient substitutions
If you don't have or don't like the flavor of tahini, you can use any nut butter instead.
For a brighter, tart flavor instead of sweet dates, use dried apricots. Or make these vanilla apricot bites.
How long does this recipe last?
My rule for maximum flavor and freshness is to enjoy these tahini date bites within a week.
Refrigerate in a glass container with a tightly fitting lid.
Did you make these tahini almond bites?
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Tahini Almond Date Bites
This easy and uniquely flavored snack with a short ingredient list and natural sweetener will be your new favorite!
Ingredients
- 6 Medjool dates (½ cup)
- 1 cup raw almonds
- 2 tablespoons tahini
- pinch sea salt
- 3 tablespoons sesame seeds to coat
- water by the tablespoon if needed
Instructions
- Remove pits from dates. Soak dates in hot water for 10 minutes, to soften. This makes the dates easier to incorporate into the dough.
- Add sesame seeds to a shallow bowl or plate. Set aside for rolling.
- Add almonds to the bowl of a food processor and pulse to a crumb.
- Drain the hot water from the dates.
- Add softened dates, tahini and salt to the food processor. Blend to combine with the almond crumb.
- Check the dough by squeezing it between your fingers; it should form a ball. If the texture is slightly crumbly, add water 1 tablespoon at a time and dough should quickly form.
- Use hands to roll dough into 1 inch balls.
- Roll balls in sesame seeds to coat, and roll ball in hands to flatten sesame seeds into the ball.
- Transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate to firm.
Notes
Tips for making snack balls
- When using sticky, dried fruit like dates, soak the dried fruit in hot water for 10 minutes, to soften. This makes the dates easier to incorporate into the dough.
- When forming and rolling the snack bites with your hands, get your hands wet first to avoid the dough sticking to your hands.
- If the dough in this recipe is falling apart, it needs more moisture. Add tahini by the teaspoon until it holds together.
- If the dough is too sticky, add more almonds a tablespoon at a time.
Variations on this recipe / Ingredient substitutions
If you don't have or don't like the flavor of tahini, you can use any nut butter instead.
For a brighter, tart flavor instead of sweet dates, use dried apricots. Or make these vanilla apricot bites.
How long does this recipe last?
My rule for maximum flavor and freshness is to enjoy these tahini date bites within one week.
Refrigerate in a glass container with a tightly fitting lid.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield:
12Serving Size:
1 pieceAmount Per Serving: Calories: 30Total Fat: 2gSodium: 93mgCarbohydrates: 9gFiber: 6gSugar: 5gProtein: 5g
nutrition calculations results vary by calculator, are for informational purposes only, and are not intended to replace medical advice or treatment.
about Kristina:
Kristina is spabettie! She found cooking at an early age, and created spabettie in 2010 to share vegan recipes. Kristina turned her culinary training into sharing vibrant vegan food! Read more...
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Jennifer says
I am making these right now because FOR ONCE I have all of the necessary ingredients. But a question - how long do you think they will keep? Should I freeze extras? or would the refrigerator be good enough? (I am assuming I won't devour all in one sitting...which could happen. Just sayin').
spabettie says
hi Jennifer, I store mine in the fridge, only once did I put them in the freezer when we were going out of town. They don't take long to defrost if you wanted to save some in the freezer - this recipe makes quite a few! I hope you love them!
Jennifer says
I do indeed love them! Thanks for your speedy reply. And just for the record, I did not eat them all at once! But I wanted to. They are nicely stored in my fridge! Thanks again!!
spabettie says
oh, good, so happy you like them - this is a favorite of mine! 🙂
Court says
these sound amazing. you are creative!
spabettie says
thanks Court, coming from you that is a HUGE compliment to me!
Christin@purplebirdblog says
I love the blurry down-Basil. 🙂
spabettie says
see?? I cannot get a photo of him in downward dog... 😉 do your pups like the camera? Basil does NOT - he looks away. it's a wonder I have ANY photos of him...
Christin@purplebirdblog says
Rambo likes the camera, Lucy not so much. But I too can never get a good doggie yoga shot!
Cara says
This is hilarious because the other day I was going to write on my facebook about my newfound love of...yoga...and wanted to see if anyone else has heard of it too. haha. Who knew it was so good for you (and enjoyable too) ??? Apparently I am late on things as well but hey, at least we show up, regardless 🙂 Your balls look perfect, by the way. And that sounded perverted.
spabettie says
haa haa - what IS this yoga you speak of? 😀 my yoga practice goes in phases, and I am currently NOT in a yoga phase... but I'm carrying stress and stretching is helping.
not just late - fashionably late. that's what we are. with perfect balls.
Leanne @ Healthful Pursuit says
I have a couple of colleagues that love yelp, but I haven't gotten into it yet... I have a pretty addictive personality. Maybe it's best if I just avoid it hehe. I love these date balls, you didn't such an amazing job at making them so clean looking. I can appreciate how challenging it is to get the sesame seeds on the ball without making them goopey!
spabettie says
yep - you better not then. I have an addictive personality when it comes to competitive things, and kicking people off their "dukedom" and getting a good ranking number - sigh - that's fun to me. at least right now. 😉
and YES! I'm happy you appreciate the sesame seed application! although it was kind of easy with these, I think the texture is soft enough that they kinda sink in... I love the look and it's one I've been trying to get for a while! (okay, this officially sounds weird, since I am talking about... FOOD. I know you understand, though). 😀
Sally @ Spontaneous Hausfrau says
These are so cute and perfectly round! Perfect for carrying around in my purse.
spabettie says
good thinking! 🙂
Carbzilla says
I've been a Yelper for forever. Sometimes we come down for Elite events if they're on the weekends. Hopefully, we'll catch you at the next one!
spabettie says
definitely! I just started in December, so I'm not Elite yet... although I have been invited to a couple events already (they must open them up to the minions after a while...?) 🙂 how long does it take to get to Elite? all I am doing is checking in, should I do reviews too?
Eden says
Man!!! I'm always late to the party.
Anyhow, yelp is fun. Remember I did that post about funny yelp reviews? Who needs crappy tv when you have yelp to keep you occupied!
spabettie says
I've been checking in everywhere. even the hospital 😉 (I should TOTALLY be Duchess of the ICU by now!!).
Pure2raw twins says
YUM! YUM And more yum! I think these should be quickly packaged up and sent my way 🙂
xoxo
Michelle
spabettie says
you are the third person in a couple days that has said that... 🙂
caitlin says
What is tahini? I have heard of it, but... Now I AM the one late to the party HEH HEH 🙂
spabettie says
girl you NEED to try it - I really think you'd like it... it's sesame seed paste, has a nutty savory flavor and is sort of similar to a nut butter consistency...