Black Pepper Free Coconut Date Balls with Ceylon Cinnamon & Vanilla
These no-bake bites are sweet, chewy, and deeply satisfying — the kind of snack that feels indulgent but is built entirely from wholesome pantry staples. Medjool dates bring natural caramel-like richness, while shredded coconut adds texture and a subtle tropical note that makes every bite feel a little special. Ceylon cinnamon is the real star here — it's softer and more floral than the cassia variety most people keep in their spice rack, and it layers beautifully with vanilla powder and a hint of ground ginger. For anyone navigating a black pepper sensitivity, snacks and sweets can be surprisingly tricky since pepper shows up in spice blends and even some flavored coatings — but every ingredient in this recipe is naturally free of it, no substitutions needed. The whole thing comes together in a food processor, gets rolled in extra coconut, and firms up in the fridge in about half an hour. They're perfect for meal-prepped snacking, lunchboxes, or whenever you need something sweet that won't derail your day.
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Learn more →Ingredients
12 servings
- 1 cup medjool dates, pitted
- 1 cup unsweetened shredded coconut, plus ¼ cup for rolling
- 1 tbsp coconut oil, melted
- 1 tsp ceylon cinnamon
- ½ tsp vanilla powder
- ¼ tsp ground ginger
- ⅛ tsp fine sea salt
For rolling
- ¼ cup unsweetened shredded coconut, for rolling
Instructions
- 1
If your dates feel firm or dry, soak them in warm water for 5 minutes, then drain and pat dry before using.
- 2
Add the pitted dates, 1 cup shredded coconut, melted coconut oil, Ceylon cinnamon, vanilla powder, ground ginger, and sea salt to a food processor. Process for 30–45 seconds, scraping down the sides once, until the mixture comes together into a sticky, uniform dough that holds its shape when pressed between your fingers.
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