Dried Fruit and Nut Energy Balls

Other Xerophagy Published January 12, 2026

These no-cook energy balls are the closest thing to a protein bar that xerophagy permits. Dates provide the binding — their sticky flesh holds everything together without any cooking, oil, or sweetener. You process them with nuts and oats in a way that requires nothing but a food processor (or patience and a knife). They are dense, portable, and each one delivers a concentrated hit of calories and nutrition that will carry you through a long day of fasting.

Make a batch at the beginning of each strict fasting week. Keep them in the refrigerator and grab two or three when energy flags.

FASTING LEVEL: Xerophagy (the strictest level — no cooked food, no oil, no wine)
SERVINGS: 12 balls
TIME: 15 minutes

INGREDIENTS

- 1 cup pitted Medjool dates (about 10 dates)
- 1/2 cup raw walnuts
- 1/2 cup raw almonds
- 1/3 cup rolled oats (raw — oats are eaten uncooked here; they soften from the date moisture)
- 1 tablespoon raw sesame seeds
- 1 tablespoon honey (optional)
- Pinch of sea salt
- Extra sesame seeds or shredded coconut for rolling (optional)

METHOD

1. Place the walnuts and almonds in a food processor. Pulse until they are coarsely chopped — not a powder, but broken into small pieces. Transfer to a bowl.

2. Place the dates in the food processor. Process until they form a thick, sticky paste, about 30 seconds. You may need to scrape down the sides once or twice.

3. Add the chopped nuts, oats, sesame seeds, honey (if using), and salt to the date paste. Process until everything is combined and holds together when pressed. If the mixture is too dry, add one more date. If too wet, add a tablespoon more oats.

4. Scoop out roughly 1 tablespoon of mixture at a time. Roll between your palms into balls.

5. If desired, roll the finished balls in sesame seeds or coconut.

6. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to firm up. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

NOTES

- Rolled oats are not cooked in this preparation. They are eaten raw, softened by the moisture from the dates. Some very strict interpretations might question this — oats are a processed grain. If in doubt, omit them and increase the nut quantity.
- These freeze well. Make a double batch and freeze half for later fasting periods.
- Add a tablespoon of cocoa powder if you want a chocolate version — cocoa is raw and uncooked in its powder form.
- Ideal for the Nativity Fast, Great Lent, Apostles' Fast, and Dormition Fast xerophagy days.