These 4-ingredient No-Bake Pecan Pie Date Balls will blow your mind! The blended dates create a sweet caramelly texture while the pecans, almonds and vanilla mimic the classic pie flavors perfectly! Try this simple, on-the-go snack!

No Bake Pecan Pie Date Balls stacked on a plate.

Table of Contents

What are the ingredients in these No-Bake Pecan Pie Date Balls?

Don’t worry, making these balls is nothing like making pecan pie. It’s the flavor that’s mimicked oh so well! These four ingredients are available at any grocery store, but I especially like the nuts and dates from Trader Joe’s.

Be sure to check the recipe card below for specific ingredient quantities and instructions. Here’s more info on all ingredients used and what they bring to the recipe:

medjool dates – When it comes to dates, you want big, juicy medjools for this recipe. Trader Joe’s sells delicious dates in a perfect quantity – check the refrigerated section by the berries! Other stores don’t usually keep them chilled.
pecans – For both the almonds and the pecans, you can use either raw or roasted, salted or unsalted. What you choose will impact the taste of the balls when you’re finished. I prefer the taste of roasted and salted nuts, so that’s what I use in this recipe.
almonds – The Pecan Pie Larabars contain almonds, and I can see why. They provide the slightest flavor contrast to the pecans, simulating a crust flavor in my mind! They’re also firmer, giving you a bit more crunch when enjoying the balls.
vanilla extract – I think this is the ingredient that takes it from *fruit and nuts* to ~pie vibes~! Vanilla provides that subtle background flavor you also get in most pies.
sea salt – A bit of salt brings together all the sweetness from the dates, and all the nutty flavors from the pecans and almonds. You want a pinch of salt in these balls somehow, whether it’s from salted nuts, or adding a pinch in yourself.

ingredients required to make the no-bake pecan pie date balls.

How do you make these No-Bake Pecan Pie Date Balls?

The best way to blend dates and nuts together is by using a food processor. This is not something you can use a blender for, unfortunately. Other than that, it’s a super simple recipe.

Start by soaking your pitted dates in hot water. I like to put them into a heatsafe bowl (such as a Pyrex), and then pour water heated to around 200F into the bowl. You can also just heat up some water in the microwave. Be careful!

Let the dates soak in the hot water for 10 minutes, then drain them and let them sit in the strainer while you measure out the other ingredients. Soaking the dates helps soften them up and add some moisture to the balls. This helps everything stick together.

pouring hot water into a bowl of medjool dates.

ingredients to make the no-bake pecan pie date balls in the food processor before blending.

blending up the no-bake pecan pie date balls in a food processor.

Next, add all the ingredients to the bowl of your food processor, including the soaked dates, pecans, almonds, vanilla extra and salt if needed. Put the lid on and blend on High for about 15 seconds. Remove the lid and push the sides down if necessary. Put the lid back on and blend for another 15 seconds.

The mixture should be well blended but with pieces of nuts still visible. It should stick together when you squish it between your fingers. Be careful not to overblend – I think it’s better with a bit of texture from the pieces of nuts!

Once the mixture is blended up, it’s time to roll it into balls. I like to use gloves for this part, but you don’t have to! Just wash your hands. The balls should be around an inch in diameter. If you end up with more or less than 12, that’s totally okay (just note the estimated nutritional information will be off).

squishing the date nut mixture together in hand.

pecan date mixture rolled into a ball held in gloved hands.

And that’s it! Your pecan pie date balls are ready to enjoy. Some people enjoy them a bit firmer (store them in the fridge), and some people like them softer (store on the counter).

Best tips for making Date Balls:

Here are my best tips for making these date balls in your own kitchen:

Don’t skip the date soaking step! This helps soften up the dates and add a bit of moisture so everything sticks together.
Don’t overblend the date nut mixture. During testing, I blended one batch up for close to one minute, instead of 30 seconds. There was less texture and less crunch. I prefer the less blended version better!
Taste to see if you need salt. Depending on the kind of nuts you use, there could be varying levels of saltiness in the mixture after blending. Be sure to give it a taste. If it seems too sweet and you can’t pick out the flavors, add another pinch of salt.

close up of a no-bake pecan pie date ball with some salt on top.

no-bake pecan pie date balls on a plate with pecans and dates as decoration.

What kind of food processor do you have?

The food processor I use and the one pictured in this post is the Cuisinart 8-Cup Food Processor (affiliate link!).

I love this food processor, with the exception of one little quirk: there’s a tiny space near the top of the handle where stuff (water, food stuff, etc.) gets stuck down inside and you literally can’t clean it. If you know a way to clean this spot, please tell me 😩

That being said, she’s a BEAST and has lasted years. This kitchen appliance has never failed me, and I can tell it’s built to last, despite it being mostly plastic.

no-bake pecan pie date balls on a plate.

How do you meal prep this snack?

To meal prep, simply make the recipe as directed and store in an airtight container with lid in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. Pack a couple balls into individual containers or reusable bags as needed throughout the week.

For a softer texture, store balls in a sealed container on the counter for up to 7 days. For a firmer texture, store balls in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.

Balls can also be stored in the freezer (tightly wrapped or in an airtight freezer safe container) for up to 3 months for best quality. Thaw on the counter for a couple hours before enjoying.

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Did you make this? I want to see how it turned out! Tag me in your social media post @projectmealplan and use #projectmealplan when you share!

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No-Bake Pecan Pie Date Balls

Recipe by Danielle

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Total Time25 minutes
Yield12 balls 1x

Ingredients

Scale

9–10 large medjool dates, pitted (~170-180g)
1 1/4 cup pecans (roasted or raw)
1/4 cup almonds (roasted or raw)
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon sea salt (optional)

Instructions

Soak dates: Place dates (9-10 large) in a heatproof glass bowl and fill the bowl with near boiling water to soften. Let them soak for 10 minutes, then drain well.
Blend ingredients: Add the dates, pecans (1 1/4 cup), almonds (1/4 cup), and vanilla (1/4 teaspoon) to the bowl of a food processor. Add the salt (1/4 teaspoon) only if your nuts are not already salted. Blend on High for about 30 seconds, stopping halfway to push down the sides. Everything should be well blended, but you should still be able to see small pieces of nuts in the mixture. It should stick together when you squish it in your hand.
Roll into balls: Using gloves if you prefer, roll the mixture into 12 balls, about 1-inch in diameter each, and place on a plate or into a storage container.
Serve & store: If serving immediately, I like to sprinkle with some coarse sea salt (optional!). For a softer texture, store balls in a sealed container on the counter for up to 7 days. For a firmer texture, store balls in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. Balls can also be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months for best quality. Thaw on the counter for a couple hours before enjoying.