If you're looking for an alternative to dates for energy balls, dried figs are amazing! These healthy fig and cocoa energy balls make the most incredible, meal-prep-friendly snack. You can make them in 10 minutes in a food processor and have them ready to go for the week.

Dark brown energy balls topped with sea salt on a white ceramic plate.

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A customizable formula
Key ingredients and substitutions
Elo's tips
Step-by-step instructions
Storage tips
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The recipe

A customizable formula

For these dried fig energy balls, I stick to my fail-proof energy ball formula (the same I use for my classic energy balls): sticky dried fruit (most often Medjool dates), oats, and nut butter.

Add in a pinch of salt, a splash of vanilla, and some spices, and you've got yourself a delicious snack that's both delicious and endlessly customizable.

Now if Medjool dates aren't your thing (or if you want to switch things up), there are plenty of other options such as raisins, dried cranberries, or dried apricots. But if I had to pick a favorite, I'd pick dried figs!

They have that typical fig flavor but are sweeter due to the concentrated sugars. What I love most are the tiny, crunchy seeds that add a nice crunch to the energy balls.

P.S. If rolling energy balls feels like too much of an effort, you can use the same formula to make energy bars, such as my apple cinnamon energy bars instead. Just press the mixt into a parchment-lined Tupperware, then cut it into bars.

Key ingredients and substitutions

Ingredients for dried fig energy balls with descriptive labels.

Dried figs: These are the key ingredient in this recipe, needed for sweetness and binding. Their sticky and gooey texture helps bind the oats and nuts together, almost like glue.
Raw cashews: They add some crunch and a hint of nuttiness. I recommend raw, unsalted, unroasted cashews to make sure they are not overpowering.
Rolled oats: They make the energy balls more filling and a great mid-day snack. Use gluten-free oats if you need to. You can substitute them with quick oats (which have a finer texture) but not instant oats.
100% pure almond butter: It's the magic ingredient for a better texture and a shiny look. Plus it adds a boost of protein and healthy fats.
Cocoa powder, cinnamon, and vanilla: For extra flavor. The combo of cocoa and cinnamon may be surprising, but it pairs incredibly well with the figs.
Salt: It might seem like a small detail, but trust me, it enhances all the flavors (I forgot to add it once and it just wasn't the same). I like to use fleur de sel, which is a finer, more delicate type of French salt.

Elo's tips

Use a food processor. It's the best appliance to make energy balls as the S-blade helps keep the mixture moving and prevents it from getting stuck on the sides. I like the Kitchenaid 7-cup food processor which is not too big, nor too small.
Add water until you obtain a sticky dough. Soaking the figs will already add moisture and help the mixture blend. But you might still have to add 1-3 tablespoons of water to get a sticky dough that you can easily roll into balls.
Store dried figs in the fridge. If you get a larger pack of dates, I recommend storing them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. This will help them last longer and prevent them from drying out and losing more moisture.

Step-by-step instructions

Dried figs soaking in a bowl with water.

Step 1: Soak the dried figs. Add the dried figs to a small bowl and cover them with hot water. This will soften them and make the blending process easier.

Roughly blended cashews in a food processor.

Step 2: Blend the cashews. To prevent having large bits of cashews in the energy balls, I like to start by blending them on their own until crushed.

Dark brown energy ball mixture in a food processor.

Step 3: Make the mixture. Add the drained figs, oats, almond butter, cocoa powder, cinnamon, vanilla, salt, and a tablespoon of water to the blender. Blend until it forms a sticky dough. It should hold its shape when pressed between two fingers. If it's too crumbly, add another tablespoon of water and blend again.

Hand holding a dark brown energy ball with specks of light nuts throughout.

Step 4: Roll the energy balls. Press 1-2 tablespoons of the mixture in between your hands and roll it into a ball. Use slightly wet handy if needed. Repeat with the rest of the mixture.