Date Coconut Energy Balls

EVENT: FOODIEMONDAY/BLOGHOP
THEME: #101 SAAWAN/SHRAVAN VRAT SPECIALITY
RECIPE: DATE COCONUT ENERGY BALLS
What are Date Coconut Energy Balls?
Simply put Date Coconut Energy Balls are as the name suggests energy balls. Generally energy balls are a combination of protein, good fat, carbohydrates and high in fiber snack. Usually enjoyed to curb hunger pangs in between meals, or enjoyed as a healthier dessert option as usually they may contain no refined sugar. Some may have agave, stevia, maple syrup, honey or any other natural sweeteners. The whole name of energy balls came about as they are often consumed after a workout. Date Coconut Energy Balls contain nuts, dates and desiccated coconut as the main ingredients. They are also known as Bliss Balls or Bites.
Shravan – A Holy Month
Shravan or Saawan is the holiest month in the Hindu Calendar. Many Hindus fast for the whole of the Shravan Maas or month. Different Hindu Communities begin the fast on different dates. Some begin the fast immediately after Guru Purnima and some later on in the month. This holy month then culminates with Raksha Bandhan, a festival where the sisters tie a rakhi or thread on the wrists of their brothers. Some people fast the whole month i.e. every day for the whole month and some fast every Monday of this holy month and are called the Shravan Somvar Vrat.
Why is this month so important to the Hindus?
According to the Hindu Mythology, when the Gods and Demons churned the Ocean (Samudra Manthan) many precious gems came out but also poison came out from it in the month of Shravan. This poison would have destroyed everything. However none of the Gods or Demons wanted to deal with the poison. Lord Shiva came to the rescue, he swallowed the poison and kept it in his throat, which turned blue. So thus He is also known as Neel Kanth, the blue throat one. This way Lord Shiva saved the world and therefore Shravan month is auspicious and many Hindus conduct poojas, and chant the holy name of Lord Shiva.
Fasting During Shravan
Different communities fast in different ways. Some consume only fruits and dairy products, no salt, no grains or vegetables. Some observe the fast by consuming only certain types of vegetables like root vegetables, but no onion and garlic. They do not consume grains but only tapioca pearls (sabudana), samo(barnyard millet), amaranth, water chestnut, quinoa, buckwheat etc. And some observe the fast by taking only one regular meal. Devotees are encouraged to visit the temples and offer flowers, bilipatra and panchamrut to the Shiv Ling. They also have to chant the Mrityunjay Mantra.
However one is encouraged to chant this mantra not only during the month of Shravan but everyday. It basically means:
“We worship the three-eyed one who is fragrant, and who sustains all living beings. May he liberate us from (Samsara) death. May he (Lord Shiva) lead us to immortality, just as the cucumber is released from its bondage.”
FoodieMonday/Bloghop Group
FoodieMonday/ Bloghop is a group of enthusiastic food bloggers who endeavor to cheer you up every Monday with new recipes prepared according to the theme chosen. Poonam who blogs at Annapurna suggested we make any food/dish that we would prepare for the fasting month. Poonam follows all the Hindu festivals by performing poojas, preparing numerous dishes to offer to the Gods and keeping fasts. So, its not surprising that she has a huge collection of recipes that one can make during fasting days. On my list is her Ratalyacha Kees/ Sweet Potato Stir Fry which I want to try.
Shravan Month and Gujaratis
When Poonam suggested the theme, I was all excited. For Gujaratis Shravan is the tenth month. Many just fast on Mondays and others fast by eating only one regular meal but without any onions and garlic and strictly no meat, fish or alcohol should be consumed during this month.But most Gujaratis will fast the whole month by consuming farali food. That means no grains and legumes are consumed. As you may know Gujjus love their food and fast also in style:) During this month several important fastings are observed and rituals followed. During this auspicious month many other festivals occur. Gujaratis celebrate days like Nag Pancham, Janmashtami, and Shitala Satam besides Raksha Bandhan.
I prepared Date Coconut Energy Balls
I wanted to make some farali handvo for this theme. However, my joy was short lived as in Montreal I was not able to find samo, rajgira and sabudana. I had to put on my thinking hat again and finally decided on an ultra healthy treat. Not so Gujju but modern Gujaratis may love to consume these energy balls or laddoos during any fast. I personally enjoy energy balls during the fasting months.
Different Energy Balls you may want to make:
- Beetroot Energy Balls– oats, beetroot and dates make these colorful energy balls taste so good.
- Mina prepares rolls which are rich in Omega 3 as she uses pumpkin, sesame and flax seeds. Check out her Nuts, Dates and Omega 3 Seed Mix Rolls.
- If you want to make energy balls that are full of nuts, dried fruits and seeds then you’ve to head over to Preethi’s Pistachio Coated Dry Fruits & Seeds Balls.
- On my list to try is Swati’s Apricot Fig and Nut Energy Bites.
- Batheeth – made from dates and roasted wheat flour, without any sugar.
- Chocolate Date Bliss Balls by Rafeeda will definitely make a good dessert option.
Ingredients required for Date Coconut Energy Balls:



DATE COCONUT ENERGY BALLS
Ingredients
- 1 cup pitted dates lightly pressed (I used 18)
- 1 cup mixed nuts lightly roasted
- ½ cup desiccated coconut
- 2 tbsp fresh orange juice
- 1 tsp orange zest
- extra desiccated coconut for coating
Instructions
- Put the nuts in a food processor and process them till the nuts are chopped into a coarse powder.
- Add the dates, orange juice, orange zest and coconut and process till the mixture comes together like a paste.
- Take about a tablespoon of the mixture and roll it into a ball.
- Repeat with the remaining mixture.
- Roll each ball in the coconut till its coated.
- Put the balls in the fridge for an hour or so.
- Serve. Put the remaining balls in an airtight container and store in the fridge.
Notes
Adds nuts of your choice.
If you don’t like orange flavour then add milk or water instead of the juice and add vanilla extract instead.
Pin for Later:
A little request:
If you do try this recipe then please either
- add a comment below,
- send a picture to my email mayuri.ajay.patel62@gmail.com
- tag me as #mayuri_jikoni on Instagram
- or tag me on Twitter as #Mayuri1962
27 Comments
alkajena
July 17, 2017 at 4:48 am
These energy balls are perfect for the vrat theme
Poonam Bachhav
July 17, 2017 at 4:57 am
Such a detailed post about the holy month of Sravan and its significance Mayuri di. Dates ladoos are my all time favourite and these look super yummy 😃
thegalnxtdoor
July 17, 2017 at 5:19 am
They look absolutely beautiful! 🙂
krispykadhai
July 17, 2017 at 8:23 am
Looks delish! What a unique treat Mayuri di! 🙂
Sujata Roy
July 17, 2017 at 2:56 pm
Energy balls looks delicious. A perfectly healthy treat for fasting days. Loved it.
Vanitha
July 17, 2017 at 5:25 pm
Love these!! Healthy and with a boost of energy sounds great..I especially loved the orange twist!! Thanks for sharing.
Saswati Hota
July 18, 2017 at 8:42 am
Healthy and wholesome and so perfect for a fasting day…👌What an informative write up dee.
Mallika Bhandary
July 18, 2017 at 8:45 am
So healthy and yummy!!❤️
waagmi Soni
July 18, 2017 at 10:10 am
Wohoooo so healthy ladoos!!! No sugar or fat … perfect
Archana
October 8, 2020 at 4:47 pm
These energy ladoo are my favorite. These definitely pep you up. I loved use if orange juice and zest. That will give the ladoo an awesome flavor.
mayurisjikoni
October 8, 2020 at 5:05 pm
Thanks Archana, I love adding orange zest to almost all desserts.
Pushpita Aheibam
July 18, 2017 at 10:14 am
Such a healthy share MayuriDi! Shall bookmark the recipe and try during the upcoming Shravan. Thanks for the detailed information about the importance of Shravan.
Pushpita Aheibam
July 18, 2017 at 1:57 pm
Lovely and healthy share Mayuridi. Bookmarking for the upcoming Shravan Maas.
Pushpita Aheibam
July 18, 2017 at 1:59 pm
Lovely and healthy energy balls with citrus flavour Mayuridi. Bookmarking the recipe.
Aruna
July 20, 2017 at 2:21 pm
So simple yet so full of flavour and energy! Just perfect for those fasting days (and feasting ones, too) 🙂
THE FOOD SAMARITAN.
July 21, 2017 at 9:47 am
Beautifully explained and presented!Bookmarking this to make soon!
veena krishnakumar
July 22, 2017 at 6:15 am
That it a detailed post Mayuri. These energy balls are perfect for the vrat.Looks awesome!!
Preethi Prasad
July 23, 2017 at 12:15 pm
Healthy laddoos look delectable.These are perfect for busy mornings.
Jagruti
October 8, 2017 at 9:12 am
I can gobble these energy balls in no time:) such a delicious and yummy treats for anytime of the day.
Maria
October 4, 2020 at 2:55 pm
Love the addition of orange juice and zest in the mix to cut through the sweetness of dates. And the pictures are so tempting!
mayurisjikoni
October 4, 2020 at 4:38 pm
Thank you so much Maria. Added orange juice and zest as I love the flavour.
Meera Girdhar
October 4, 2020 at 5:42 pm
Healthy and yummy
mayurisjikoni
October 4, 2020 at 7:01 pm
Thanks Meera.
Swati
October 6, 2020 at 10:28 pm
Date and Coconut energy balls are just perfect not only for fasting days but also for any time snack when hunger pangs hit.I loved the addition of orange flavour here.. I do make similar date energy balls but never added orange flavour.. shall add it soon as I love this flavour
mayurisjikoni
October 7, 2020 at 3:18 pm
Thank you so much Swati, somehow the orange both juice and zest sort of balances the sweetness from the dates. Try it.
Vimi
November 1, 2021 at 2:14 pm
Brilliant date balls Mayuri . I have made this recipe three times already and family and friends absolutely love them. Honestly speaking I love all your recipes ! Thank you
mayurisjikoni
November 2, 2021 at 8:54 pm
Vimi thank you so much for the feedback. It is people like you who make blogging more enjoyable. I am always happy to share recipes.