Healthy Apricot Bliss Balls are soft, sweet and bursting with flavor. Made with only five simple ingredients, they are a perfect pick me up snack when you need a delicious and healthy treat. They are vegan, paleo, gluten-free and refined sugar free.
I’m a true believer in eating something sweet every day. Having a healthy sweet treat with tea or coffee is my mini ritual that I will not give up because a) I’m a sweet tooth, b) life is too short and, c) sweets don’t have to be bad for you. There are so many delicious AND nutritious options that will make your coffee break more indulgent but guilt-free.
Bliss balls are a favorite of mine, especially these heavenly Healthy Apricot Bliss Balls made with dried apricots, cashews, toasted coconut. Toasting the coconut is a small step that you may be tempted to skip but I highly recommend giving it a try. It is super easy and it’s a true game changer that gives these balls an unexpected depth of flavor.
My healthy eating trick is to always have a stash of wholesome treats in the freezer and allow myself to have a little something from time to time. Two bliss balls with a cup of almond milk latte can change the way your day is going, especially if it’s not going that great.
WHAT ARE BLISS BALLS?
Bliss balls are a perfect nutrient-packed snack made with whole ingredients. If you’re familiar with energy balls, energy bites or protein balls, bliss balls are pretty much the same thing. They are made with healthy and whole ingredients, they take 5 minutes to prepare and you can make them in a million different ways!
The possibilities are truly endless. They are typically made with various dried fruit (dates, apricots, raisins, cherries), nuts (almonds, cashews, walnuts, pecans) and all sorts of seeds, nut butter, cocoa powder, protein powder, shredded coconut and natural extracts.
My apricot bliss balls are made with only 5 simple ingredients. No gluten, no dairy, no condensed milk. Only real, wholesome food blended into perfect nutritious balls.
WHAT YOU WILL NEED
Dried Apricots: packed with fiber and nutrients, they naturally sweeten the bliss balls.
Raw Cashews: I like to use them in energy balls because of their mild and neutral flavor and creamy texture. Cashews are rich in protein and healthy fats.
Shredded Coconut: use unsweetened shredded coconut. Look for it near the natural foods section or in the baking aisle at grocery stores.
Hemp Seeds: to add extra protein and omega-3 fats to the bliss balls.
Vanilla Extract: use real vanilla extract for best results.
HOW TO MAKE HEALTHY APRICOT BLISS BALLS?
STEP 1: Toast the coconut for a couple minutes in an empty skillet until evenly browned. Stir or toss it as you go. Let the coconut cool.
STEP 2: Place dried apricots, cashews, cooled toasted coconut, hemp seeds and vanilla in the bowl of a food processor. Pulse 10 or more times until the mixture resembles coarse sand, then process until thick and sticky dough forms.
STEP 3: Using a small cookie scoop or a spoon, divide the mixture into 10-12 scoops. Roll into balls, place in an airtight container and chill in the fridge for at least 1 hour.
HOW LONG WILL THEY LAST IN THE FRIDGE?
You can store these bliss balls in an airtight container for up to two weeks.
CAN I FREEZE BLISS BALLS?
Yes! Most bliss balls can be stored for up to 3 months in the freezer. When ready to serve, you can either let them thaw a bit before eating or enjoy them frozen. They’re delicious either way!
ARE DRIED APRICOTS GOOD FOR YOU?
Yes! Dried apricots are rich in vitamins, antioxidants, minerals and fiber. A cup of dried apricots provides 94% of your body’s daily need of Vitamin A. They are also high in potassium and calcium but low in fat and sodium. You can learn more about apricots and their nutritional value in this article.
CAN I MAKE BLISS BALLS WITH A STICK BLENDER?
Unfortunately, no. Nuts and coconut are quite hard to process and a stick blender is better suited for soft textures, such as soups, sauces or salad dressings. I would recommend investing in a good food processor such as this one from Cuisinart. If all you have is an electric mini chopper, that may work, too, though it may require a little more effort to achieve the right consistency.
WHAT ARE HEMP SEEDS?
Hemp seeds, also known as hemp hearts, are the seeds of the hemp plant. They are exceptionally nutritious and a great source of healthy fats, protein and other minerals. Try them sprinkled on top of yogurt, salads, oatmeal or in smoothies. I like adding them to bliss balls for a healthy, plant-based protein boost.
ARE THESE BLISS BALLS PALEO?
Yes, these apricot coconut balls are made with no grains, dairy, or refined sugar which makes them a perfect paleo snack. They are also naturally vegan and gluten free.
MORE HEALTHY SWEET SNACKS TO TRY:
- Chocolate Banana Oatmeal Cookies
- Almond Butter Rice Crispy Cups
- Flourless Peanut Butter Banana Cookies
- Strawberry Oatmeal Muffins
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Healthy Apricot Bliss Balls
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 12 balls 1x
Description
Healthy Apricot Bliss Balls are soft, sweet and bursting with flavor. Made with only five simple ingredients, they are a perfect pick me up snack when you need a delicious and healthy treat. They are vegan, paleo, gluten-free and refined sugar free.
Ingredients
½ cup dried apricots (about 12)
½ cup raw unsalted cashews
¼ cup unsweetened shredded coconut
1 tablespoon hemp seeds
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Toast the coconut. Place the unsweetened shredded coconut in a small dry skillet and toast on low medium heat stirring or tossing for a couple minutes until golden brown and evenly toasted. Let the coconut cool.
- Place apricots, cashews, toasted coconut, hemp seeds and vanilla extract in the bowl of a food processor and blend until sticky dough forms.
- Divide the apricot mixture into 10-12 parts and roll into walnut-sized balls.
Notes
This recipe makes about 12 walnut sized balls. If you want to have more, just double batch them by pressing “x2” in the recipe card (next to “Ingredients”).
If you don’t have hemp seeds, you can swap them for chia seeds.
- Category: breakfast, dessert, snack
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: bliss balls, apricot bliss balls, how to make bliss balls, energy balls, protein balls
Upon reading this recipe I already want to prepare one myself.:) This recipe complements my coffee or my tea. You’re right it’s a healthy snack especially if you’re a sweet tooth. ( I am) lol. Thanks for this awesome recipe.:)
★★★★★
Wow, these apricot bliss balls were a great idea! It turned out amazing. Each bite was so flavorful! I love how it is a sweet treat that only has a minimal ingredients.
★★★★★
They look delicious. Delicate and super sweet. I will definitely give them a try.
★★★★★
This ball are so good, love the apricot flavor!
★★★★★
Yummy! These are so delicious!
★★★★★
No wonder these are called bliss balls; they are so delicious! Dried apricots and cashews are two of my favorite snacks, so to combine them with toasted coconut was heavenly! I am going to make a bigger batch next time and keep them in the freezer!
★★★★★
The perfect little bite!
★★★★★
Better than a lara bar! I bought cashews for the first time just to make these balls. It’s amazing how much rich and creamy flavor the cashews bring to this recipe. This is my new post-workout snack.