The Hiking Trail Brownie: No-Bake Chocolate Coconut Date Balls

For the hiker with a sweet tooth, the trail can be a tempting place.

It’s easy to reach for a sugary chocolate bar for a quick-fix, only to be met with an energy crash an hour later.

These no-bake “trail brownie” bites are the perfect solution.

They deliver a rich, decadent, chocolatey flavour that fully satisfies a craving, but without any of the processed sugar.

The secret is their simplicity. They are sweetened entirely with dates, which provide natural energy and create a wonderfully rich, fudgy texture.

Healthy fats from almonds and coconut provide the slow-burning, sustained fuel you need for a long day on your feet.

Best of all, they take about 10 minutes to make in a food processor, require zero baking, and will give you an instant, healthy morale boost when you need it most.

The Hiking Trail Brownie: No-Bake Chocolate Coconut Date Balls

Recipe by Paul Steele

4.8 from 5 votes

Fuel your hike with these fudgy, no-bake chocolate coconut date balls. Sweetened naturally with dates, they’re a healthy, “trail brownie” energy snack.

Course: SnacksDifficulty: Easy

Print

Servings

15

servings

Prep time

10

minutes

Cooking time

0

minutes

Calories

90

kcal

Ingredients

• 150 g (approx. 1 cup) Pitted Medjool Dates

• 100 g (approx. 3/4 cup) Almonds (raw or roasted)

• 50 g (approx. 1/2 cup) Unsweetened Desiccated Coconut

• 3 tbsp Unsweetened Cocoa Powder

• 1 tbsp Water (only if needed)

• Pinch Salt

Directions

• Place the almonds in a food processor and pulse until they are broken down into a coarse, crumbly meal.
• Add the pitted dates, desiccated coconut, cocoa powder, and salt to the food processor.
• Blend continuously for 1–2 minutes. The mixture will look crumbly at first, but keep blending until it breaks down and starts to stick together in a large, gooey ball.
• If the mixture seems too dry (this can happen if your dates are not very soft), add 1 tablespoon of water and blend again.
• Roll the sticky mixture into small, bite-sized balls, about 1 inch (2.5cm) in diameter.
• Optional: For an extra “truffle” feel, roll the finished balls in a shallow dish of extra cocoa powder or desiccated coconut.
• Store in an airtight container in the fridge until your trip.

Variations & Tips

• Nut Swap: This recipe is fantastic with other nuts. Try swapping the almonds for walnuts or cashews.
• Trail “Spumoni”: Add 50g (approx. 1/3 cup) of dried tart cherries and a few mini chocolate chips for a delicious cherry-chocolate flavour.
• Extra Fibre: Add 1 tablespoon of chia seeds or ground flaxseed to the food processor along with the dates.
• Firmness: If your energy bites are too soft, simply store them in the freezer and pack them frozen. They will thaw perfectly in your pack by the time you’re ready for a snack.

Packing & Storage

• At Home: Store the energy bites in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two weeks, or in the freezer for up to three months.
• On the Trail: These are very stable and travel well. Pack them in a small, sturdy container or a reusable zip-top bag. They will be fine in your pack for 2–3 days without refrigeration.