These 4-ingredient no-bake chocolate chip cookie balls take less than 10 minutes to make and are a great, wholesome healthy snack anytime of day!
I don't know about you, but my kiddos wake up from nap and want their snack immediately, if not before.
Actually, M wants to know what snack is going to be as I tuck her in for nap. (She also asks what’s for breakfast every night before bed. Already food obsessed at age 4?!)
So I always need to have on-hand healthy kids snacks prepped and practically waiting, which isn’t easy since I have a full-time job with deadlines and conference calls going on while they nap.
Some days, when I’m caught snack-less by my hungry little kiddos, I will whip up these no-bake chocolate chip cookie balls.
It takes less than 10 minutes to make these perfect little balls of soft, sweet, chewy, healthy chocolate chip cookie goodness.
My little ones indulge me for those long 10 minutes because
1. Cookies. So, no whining allowed.
2. They can help make these, which always makes waiting easier.
And I love that these are completely wholesome and don’t require heating up the oven in the spring and summer months. We just grab our snack and head outside to play!
(We also love these oatmeal raisin no-bake cookie balls and raw date brownie balls.)
Now, I’ve got a few quick notes and tips coming up below on how to make these no bake cookie balls. Just tryin’ to be helpful.
If you want to jump on down to the recipe, simply scroll right on through the rest of the text. The recipe card is near the bottom of the page, above the comments section.
What ingredients do I need for chocolate chip cookie balls?
- Old fashioned rolled oats (quick oats are OK too)
- Medjool dates
- Vanilla
- Mini chocolate chips
We are also adding a pinch of salt and some splashes of water, but I don't think those quite count as separate ingredients.
So let's get fixing!
Notes on making chocolate chip cookie balls:
- Get the kids involved! Depending on their age, they can fetch and measure ingredients, add the ingredients to the food processor, push the buttons to operate it, stir in the chocolate chips or roll these into balls. Older kids that can use a knife and be trusted around the blades of a food processor could easily make these by themselves.
- The amount of water needed to get these to come together will depend on the moisture level of your dates, which can vary. Start small, with just a splash or two, and add more water as you go until the mixture starts to stick to itself.
- Wet your hands when you roll these into balls - that way the balls stick together and don't get all of your hands.
- Use certified gluten-free oats if you need this recipe to be gluten-free.
- Choose dairy-free, vegan chocolate chips if you need this recipe to be dairy-free and/or vegan.
Finally, in terms of storing the leftovers...
The extra cookie balls will keep in the refrigerator, in a covered container, for up to one week. If they last that long.
Next time you need a chocolate chip cookie fix, try this easy, healthy version.
Snack is served. And a crisis is averted… for another day.
Enjoy!
XO,
Kathryn
P.S. Check out more easy, healthy summer snacks to get you through the season.
4-ingredient no-bake chocolate chip cookie balls
Ingredients
- 1 cup oats (I use old fashioned)
- 1 cup Medjool dates (about 10 large ones), chopped small
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- pinch of salt
- 3-4 tablespoons water, as needed
- ¼ cup mini chocolate chips
Instructions
- Add all of the ingredients, except the chocolate chips, to your food processor. Pulse, stopping to scrape down the sides as needed, until everything is well combined. Add extra water as needed to get the mixture to come together (see notes, below).
- Transfer mixture to a bowl and stir in mini chocolate chips.
- Wet hands and roll mixture into golf ball-sized cookie balls. Enjoy!
Notes
Video
Nutrition
Dawn @ Girl Heart Food
Oh, I love recipes like this, Kathryn! 4 ingredients and I could have these? Yes, please! Your kiddos are lucky! Pinning, of course, and looking forward to trying these soon. Have a great weekend!!
Kathryn
Easy, fast and a cookie at the end?! Totally the best 😉 Happy weekend Dawn!
Marni
Do you know if I could substitute at least some of the medjool dates with deglet noor dates? I have some of the Medjool kind from a recipe I made similar to this, but they're so much more expensive than the Deglet Noor variety!
Kathryn
Hi Marni! Yes, you can substitute. Deglet noor dates are a little less sweet and a little more dry than Medjool dates, however, so you may need some extra water to get the mixture to come together. You may also want to add a teaspoon or so of honey to sweetened them up. Try the mixture before you roll them up and adjust until they taste sweet enough to you. Would love to hear if you try them!
Mahy
Kathryn, OMG these look SO GOOD!! And your little one--too funny!!! My 7 year old is the foodie at home too 🙂
Kathryn
Thank you Mahy! Love that we are raising food-loving kids 😉
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
The exact kinda snack I always have on hand (in the freezer!) xoxo
Kathryn
Perfect for satisfying that sweet craving!
Holly
I've been really into the energy balls lately, so I'll have to give this one a try! I love dates!
Kathryn
Yes, I love having energy balls on hand for a little afternoon pick-me-up and dates are a great natural sweetener. I hope you give these a try Holly!
Lisa @ Chocolate Meets Strawberry
Ooooh yes!! Another oat-cellent recipe from your kitchen! 😀 These little treats look delightful, Kathryn. I am SO jealous that you can buy mini chocolate chips, by the way. They used to be sold here in Australia many years ago and I always bought them because I thought they were just so adorable, but I can't find them anywhere nowadays!!! 🙁
Kathryn
You know me and my obsession with oats! But oh no, that stinks you can't buy the mini chocolate chips anymore! Hope they bring them back to you (or maybe you can order them on Amazon?!)
Rita
You can easily make them! Just melt regular chocolate chips or chocolate chunks and melt them and get a piper bag and pipe small chocolate chips out of the bag.
Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary
Awww, it's totally adorable your daughter wants to know what's for breakfast the night before!! I used to ask my parents that -- sweet sweet memories. 😉 These cookie balls look absolutely delicious, Kathryn! Loving that they are easy-peasy and no bake! Chocolate chip cookies without all the fuss? I'm in! Cheers, friend!
Kathryn
She's always wondering what her next meal is... can't blame her, I'm the same way! And she's always happy when these are on the menu 🙂 Have a wonderful week Cheyanne!
Jacee
Do you think I can sub quick cooking oats for the regular oatmeal?? Hoping!
Kathryn
Hi Jacee! Yes, that substitution should work just fine here. Hope you give them a try!
Christin@SpicySouthernKitchen
Oh my goodness! I bet I could eat a whole plate of these. Love that you used dates. 🙂
Kathryn
They are a little dangerous 😉 But totally wholesome so that makes me happy as I reach for a second... or third... 🙂
Karly
Love these cute little bites! Thanks for linking up with What's Cookin' Wednesday!
Kathryn
Thanks Karly - and thanks for hosting such a fabulous party! Happy Mothers Day 🙂
Frugal Hausfrau
Looks delish! I love anything with dates, but add chocolate! Thanks for linking up with us at Throwback Thursday!
Mollie
Kathryn
Such a great combination 🙂 And so easy! Thanks for hosting Mollie!
Susannah Hunter
Great website, Kathryn! Made these half size and rolled some in finely chopped walnuts and some in cocoa powder. Healthy truffles! 🙂
Kathryn
Thanks so much Susannah! Love the way you served these - such a cute mini dessert bite! XO
Katherine Johnson
Not a fan of dates. Is there something else that I could use?
Kathryn
Hi Katherine! The dates are what sweeten these cookies and help hold them together in a ball, so I'm not sure that there's a good substitute here. Sorry!
MJ
I am thinking of trying them with dried apricots. In your nutrition info is a serving size one cookie?
Kathryn
Hi MJ! I just went in and updated the recipe card to read that one cookie is a serving size to make sure it was calculating for that, so it's all set now. Would love to hear what you think with the dried apricots!
susan
Sounds so good. Will try them but thought the sugar was a little high
Kathryn
The good news is, though, these are completely naturally sweetened with the dates. No added sugar or sweeteners. I hope you like them Susan!
nytimes.com
Your style is very unique compared to other
people I have read stuff from. Thank you for posting
when you have the opportunity, Guess I will just book mark this page.
Kathryn
Thanks! 🙂
Jacqueline
Made these this morning. So quick and easy. Will be making them with the grandchildren next month in Australia (I'm in New Zealand). I say this as I reach for my 2nd one teehee
Kathryn Doherty
Oh I love that! So happy you enjoyed them and that you'll get to share them with your grandkids. Thank you for sharing! : )