Date, Tahini & Cacao Truffles
(Nut free, gluten free & dairy free)
The joy that comes from discovering a genuinely healthy food that a four-year-old will eat happily — at any time of day (or night) — is something only a mum truly understands.
It’s rare that the words kids, healthy, chocolate and preschool-friendly all belong in the same sentence. Yet these little truffles — affectionately known in our house as “chocolate balls” — are exactly that. A small miracle, really.
They’re rich, chocolatey, filling and nourishing, without relying on nuts, refined sugar or actual chocolate. They also happen to be one of the best kid-friendly cooking recipes I know. Buttons to press on the food processor, dough to roll, coconut to coat — plus loud noises, sticky hands and a little chaos. For a three or four-year-old, that’s absolute heaven.
Why You’ll Love These Date, Tahini & Cacao Truffles
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Nut free and school-safe
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Naturally gluten free and dairy free
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Rich, chocolatey flavour without refined sugar
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No bake, no cook, minimal mess
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Perfect for kids and adults
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Great for lunch boxes, snacks and energy slumps
They’re one of those recipes that quietly solves a lot of problems.
Bliss balls have become a popular afternoon snack, often marketed as protein-packed and healthy. Unfortunately, most of them rely heavily on nuts — making them unsuitable for schools, preschools and many households navigating allergies.
With nut allergies increasingly common and often life-threatening, many early learning environments are strictly nut free. These truffles were created with that reality in mind.
There’s no real chocolate here — just magnesium-rich raw cacao. Combined with dates, tahini, seeds and plant protein, these little balls are packed with fibre, iron, calcium, omega-3s and protein. Everything small (and big) bodies need to get through busy, active days.
They’re not just for kids either. I almost always have a small jar of these tucked into my bag for emergencies — the hungry kind. Afternoon meltdowns have reduced, energy slumps are less dramatic, and my fridge is rarely without a batch.
Thank goodness for no-cook, kid-friendly, genuinely nourishing treats.
Recipe: Date, Tahini & Cacao Truffles
Makes: ~20 truffles
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Difficulty: Easy
Ingredients
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2½ cups pitted dates
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¾ cup desiccated coconut, plus extra for rolling
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2 tbsp pea protein
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2 tbsp raw cacao (or unsweetened cocoa powder)
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¼ cup linseed meal
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1 tbsp chia seeds
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2 tbsp tahini
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½ tsp vanilla extract
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3 tsp coconut oil (virgin, cold-pressed preferred)
Method
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Add all ingredients to the bowl of a food processor.
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Blend until the mixture is finely chopped and holds together when pressed.
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Roll into walnut-sized balls.
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Roll each ball in extra desiccated coconut.
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Place in a container and chill for at least 1 hour.
Eat happily whenever the need arises.
Tips & Variations
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If the mixture feels dry, add 1–2 teaspoons of water or extra coconut oil
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For older kids or adults, add a pinch of cinnamon or sea salt
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Swap pea protein for hemp protein if allergies allow
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Roll in cacao powder instead of coconut for a richer finish
Serving & Storage
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Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week
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Can be frozen for up to 3 months
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Perfect for lunch boxes, after-school snacks or on-the-go fuel
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Best served chilled for a firmer texture
FAQ
Q. Are these safe for nut-free schools?
Yes — they contain no nuts or nut meals.
Q. Can I use cocoa instead of cacao?
Absolutely. Use unsweetened cocoa powder if cacao isn’t available.
Q. Are these suitable for toddlers?
Yes, though always supervise and adjust ball size if needed.
Q. Can I make them without protein powder?
Yes. Simply omit or replace with extra coconut or linseed meal.
These truffles are small but mighty. They’ve eased afternoon meltdowns, smoothed energy crashes and brought a little calm to snack time — all while tasting like chocolate.
They’re proof that healthy food doesn’t need to be complicated, restrictive or joyless. Sometimes it’s as simple as dates, cacao and a food processor — plus a few sticky little hands helping along the way.
Date, Tahini and Cacao Truffles (nut free, gluten free & Dairy free)
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups Pitted Dates
- 3/4 cups Desiccated Coconut + extra for rolling
- 2 tbsp Pea Protein
- 2 tbsp Raw Cacao or unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/4 cup Linseed meal
- 1 tbsp Chia seeds
- 2 tbsp Tahini
- 1/2 tsp Vanilla extract
- 3 tsp Coconut oil virgin cold pressed preferred
Instructions
- Add all the ingredients into the bowl of a food processor and blend until the mix is finely chopped and can be worked into a ball without crumbling.
- Roll the dough into walnut sized balls
- Roll the date balls in the extra coconut.
- Place in a container and chill for at least an hr
- Eat happily whenever you desire.
Notes
- Linseed meal is available from health food stores and some super markets and online. You could make your own by grinding whole linseeds. Or you could substitute with LSA, almond meal, hazelnut meal or more coconut.
- Cacao is available from health food shops, major supermarkets and as always online. You can also substitute with unsweetened cocoa powder,
- Chia seeds and Tahini are available from health food shops, major supermarkets and online.
- Pea protein is available from some health foods stores and online.
If you loved this recipe try one of these
Date and Dark Chocolate ANZAC style Biscuits
Raw Carrot Cake Bliss Balls – vegan, naturally sweet
Banana, linseed and chia bread
Dairy-Free Strawberry & Chocolate Mousse Tart (with Avocado!) – vegan
Oaty Banana and choc chip cookies
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Did You Make This Recipe?
I’d love to see your version of these Date Tahini and Cocoa Truffles!
Tag @thekrookedspoon on Instagram and use #thekrookedspoon so I can share your creation.
