Healthy Recipes Healthy Ingredient Recipes Healthy Fruit Recipes Healthy Date Recipes Salted Coconut-Caramel Energy Balls 4.7 (3) 3 Reviews A blend of dates, sunflower seed butter, salt and vanilla make these bites surprisingly reminiscent of salted caramel--both in taste and texture. Unlike our ultra-easy mix-and-match basic energy ball recipe, you'll need a blender to make a paste for the base of these balls, but the extra effort is oh-so-worth it for the sweet and satisfying result. By Joy Howard Joy Howard Instagram Website Joy Howard is a cookbook author, food stylist, and recipe developer. She writes a regular column about cooking with kids for the print edition of EatingWell, is the author of Disney Eats, and is a frequent contributor to America's Test Kitchen and Parents, among other brands and publishers. EatingWell's Editorial Guidelines Updated on July 29, 2020 Print Share Share Tweet Pin Email Prep Time: 30 mins Total Time: 30 mins Servings: 36 Yield: 36 balls Nutrition Profile: Dairy-Free Egg Free Gluten-Free Low Carbohydrate Nut-Free Soy-Free Vegan Vegetarian Ingredients 4 dozen pitted dates (about 3 cups) ¾ cup creamy sunflower seed butter 6 tablespoons warm water 1 ½ teaspoons kosher salt 1 ¼ teaspoons vanilla extract 2 cups rolled oats (see Tip) 6 tablespoons coarsely chopped toasted pecans ½ cup unsweetened shredded coconut Directions Combine dates, sunflower seed butter, water, salt and vanilla in a blender. Blend until mostly smooth with a few small bits. Transfer to a medium bowl. Add oats and pecans; stir well. Place coconut in a small bowl. Scoop a tablespoon of the date mixture and roll it into a ball. (Dampen your hands to prevent sticking.) Roll the ball in the coconut to coat. Repeat with the remaining mixture. Tips To make ahead: Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 5 days or freeze for up to 3 months. Tip: People with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity should use oats that are labeled "gluten-free," as oats are often cross-contaminated with wheat and barley. Print