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    Home » All Recipes » Turtle Energy Balls

    Turtle Energy Balls

    Published: Aug 27, 2020 · Modified: Sep 6, 2021 by Kaylie Grace · 2 Comments

    Jump to Recipe

    This post may contain affiliate links. Read the affiliate disclosure here. 

    These no-bake turtle energy balls are soft, chewy, and deliciously sweet! The easy recipe is vegan, raw, gluten-free, oil-free, and made with 5 ingredients. Enjoy the flavors of salted caramel, warm vanilla, and rich chocolate altogether in one bite-sized treat. They are truly reminiscent of the classic chocolate turtles dessert!

    turtle energy balls stacked inside two small white bowls

    What happens when you combine caramel, pecans, and chocolate? One of the best dessert flavors: turtle, baby! Whether it’s turtle cheesecake, cookies, brownies, or ice cream, I’ll always give it a 10/10 on my score card.

    However, since the turtle flavor is typically used to create incredibly indulgent desserts, I set out to create a healthier treat. I wanted to enjoy the same flavor profile, but with wholesome ingredients. You know, something that could curb my sweet tooth in a guilt-free manner. Well, what a surprising success that was! Only 5 ingredients are needed to make these nutritious, yet totally delicious, turtle energy balls.

    These turtle energy balls are:

    • Vegan, no-bake, gluten-free, dairy-free, oil-free, and paleo-friendly
    • Incredibly soft, chewy, and delightfully sweet
    • Salted caramel flavor with a hint of vanilla
    • Quick & easy // ready in less than 10 minutes
    • Great for snacking, school lunches, work lunches, and pre- or post-workout fuel
    • Kid-approved!
    chocolate turtle energy balls inside a white bowl

    What are chocolate turtles?

    These turtle energy balls are reminiscent of classic chocolate turtles. The original treat is a cluster of caramel and pecans covered in creamy chocolate.

    Since its creation in the early 1900s, popular desserts have developed a turtle-flavored variety. You can now find turtle cookies, bars, cheesecake, ice cream, candy, donuts, and much more. Check out my No-Bake Turtle Brownies (Vegan, Gluten-Free) recipe!

    What’s in these 5 ingredient energy balls?

    • Dates: These energy balls are naturally sweetened with medjool dates. Dates contain a caramel-like flavor, making it the perfect replacement for actual caramel.
    • Pecans: Just like the classic chocolate turtles, we’ll use pecans for this recipe. Pecans are rich in several vitamins and minerals – including calcium, iron, potassium, and selenium.
    • Chocolate chips: I recommend using vegan mini chocolate chips, but regular chocolate chips will work just fine.
    • Vanilla: A dash of vanilla adds a subtle yet delicious vanilla flavor. As always, vanilla is a key complementary ingredient in homemade desserts and treats.
    • Salt: Don’t forget the salt! A pinch of salt balances the sweetness in the medjool dates and chocolate chips.
    a marble board with bowls of raw pecans, medjool dates, chocolate chips, salt, and vanilla extract

    How to make turtle energy balls

    For the full ingredients list and step-by-step instructions, scroll down to view the recipe card below.

    All you need is 5 ingredients, 1 food processor, and 10 minutes. Let’s do this!

    First, combine the raw pecans, pitted medjool dates, vanilla, and salt in a food processor. Process the ingredients until a crumbled, sticky mixture forms. Then, toss in the chocolate chips. Pulse the food processor a couple times until they are evenly incorporated throughout the mixture.

    pecans, dates, and chocolate chips being processed inside a food processor

    Next, use a mini cookie scoop or a tablespoon to scoop the mixture into 12-15 rounds. Using clean hands, roll them into evenly-shaped balls. Enjoy!

    • no bake pecan and date dough inside a mini cookie scoop
    • a hand holding one turtle energy ball with chocolate chips
    turtle energy balls inside a white bowl beside a bowl of pecans and medjool dates

    Kaylie’s tips

    Soft dates work best. As always, soft dates are best when it comes to no-bake desserts. If your dates are quite dry and hard, you may need to add some moisture when processing the ingredients. The mixture should be sticky, pinch-able, and easily rolled into balls. If the mixture is too dry and crumbly, add ½ to 1 tablespoon melted coconut oil or water. Then, process again until the mixture comes together.

    Use mini chocolate chips. I highly suggest grabbing some vegan mini chocolate chips for these turtle energy balls. However, no worries if you don’t have any. Regular chocolate chips will work just fine. If you are trying to cut back on sugar, try these stevia-sweetened chocolate chips instead.

    Don’t let the chocolate melt. After processing the dates and pecans together, your food processor might cause the mixture to warm up a bit. (Food processors generate heat because the blades move quickly to break ingredients down!) If this is the case, wait a few minutes before adding the chocolate chips. Otherwise, the chocolate chips may melt once you add them to the mixture.

    Store in the refrigerator. These turtle energy balls are best stored in an airtight contained inside the refrigerator. They are freezer-friendly, too! You can place the container in the freezer where they will last for up to 3 months.

    turtle energy balls stacked inside two small white bowls with a bite taken out of the center date ball

    More energy ball recipes

    • Almond Butter Energy Balls
    • Peanut Butter Energy Balls
    • Oatmeal Cookie Dough Balls
    • Chocolate Coconut Energy Balls
    • Cinnamon Roll Energy Balls
    • Birthday Cake Energy Balls
    • Pumpkin Energy Balls
    • Coconut Almond Bliss Balls
    • No Bake Brownie Bites
    • Chocolate Peanut Butter Bliss Balls

    If you try these Turtle Energy Balls, please let me know your thoughts by leaving a rating and comment below! Ready for more? Subscribe to my newsletter or follow along on Instagram and YouTube!

    Print
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    chocolate turtle energy balls inside a white bowl

    Turtle Energy Balls

    ★★★★★ 5 from 1 reviews
    • Author: Kaylie Grace
    • Prep Time: 10 minutes
    • Total Time: 10 minutes
    • Yield: 13 balls 1x
    • Category: Snack, Dessert
    • Method: Process
    • Cuisine: American
    • Diet: Vegan
    Print Recipe
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    Description

    These no-bake turtle energy balls are soft, chewy, and deliciously sweet! The recipe is vegan, raw, gluten-free, oil-free, and made with 5 ingredients. Enjoy the flavors of salted caramel, warm vanilla, and rich chocolate altogether in one bite-sized treat!


    Ingredients

    Scale
    • 1.5 cups raw pecans
    • 15 medjool dates, pitted
    • 1 tsp vanilla extract
    • ¼ tsp salt
    • ¼ cup mini chocolate chips

    Instructions

    1. Combine pecans, dates, vanilla extract, and salt in the bowl of a food processor. Process ingredients until a crumbled, sticky mixture forms. It should be pinch-able; you’ll need to roll the mixture into balls later on. If it’s too dry, add ½ to 1 tablespoon melted coconut oil or water and process again until it comes together.
    2. Add chocolate chips to the food processor. Pulse a couple times until the chocolate chips are evenly incorporated throughout the mixture.
    3. Using a mini cookie scoop or a tablespoon, scoop the mixture into 12-15 rounds. Roll each round into a ball. Enjoy!

    Notes

    • See “Kaylie’s Tips” in the post for recommendations about dates, chocolate chips, and storage.

    Nutrition

    • Serving Size: 1 ball
    • Calories: 180
    • Sugar: 19g
    • Fat: 10g
    • Saturated Fat: 2g
    • Carbohydrates: 23g
    • Fiber: 4g
    • Protein: 3g

    Keywords: turtle energy balls, energy balls with dates and pecans, 5 ingredient

    Did you make this recipe?

    Tag @purelykaylie on Instagram and hashtag it #purelykaylie

    This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through one of these links, I earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products I personally use, trust, and love!

    More Easy and healthy vegan recipes

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    • Almond Butter Oatmeal
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    Comments

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      Recipe rating ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆

    1. Francesca

      November 30, 2020 at 2:45 am

      I made these yummy balls and then I coated in minced hazelnuts. They turned into Ferrero Roches chocolates. I literally adore them. Thank you for the recipe. You’re a guarantee. When I need to cook/bake or simply make something, I just search through the Recipe Search field on your homepage and I get started. Every recipe has been amazing so far.

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Kaylie Grace

        December 02, 2020 at 7:47 pm

        Francesca, thank you so much! I’m thrilled to hear that you’re loving my recipes. Thank you for the sweet comments! I really appreciate it. 🙂

        Reply

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