Almond Butter Bliss Balls

Name: Almond Butter Bliss Balls
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 15 min
Ingredients: 240 grams medjool dates (around 10-12 dates, depending on their size); 1 ½ cups / 150g rolled oats (use gluten-free oats if needed); ¼ tsp sea salt; ¾ cup / 165g almond or peanut butter; 2 tsp vanilla extract; ¾ cup / 60g desiccated coconut (divided in to a ½ cup and a ¼ cup for rolling); 2-3 tbsp water; 2 tbsp peanut butter protein powder ((optional))

Last updated on December 3rd, 2022 at 07:48 am

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If there is anything I love more than cooking, it's not cooking! Bliss balls are the perfect opportunity to whip out the old food processor and not cook up a completely delicious and healthful family treat.

Friends, these little guys taste like just like slightly salty vanilla cookie dough but with none of the processed ingredients. I am in my bliss.

Coated and uncoated bliss balls on a white surface.

This recipe was originally published on April 28, 2019 and updated on July 17, 2022 with additional recipe notes, images and tips.

Why We Love These Bliss Balls

Besides being stuff-in-your-face-tasty, there are so many good things about these bliss balls.

They are all sweet and buttery but with sugar stabilising rolled oats, they won't have the kids bouncing off the walls. Nice.
You'll find the ingredients in your pantry - rolled oats, almond (or peanut!) butter, vanilla, coconut and dates.
These energy balls. are super quick and ready in around 15-minutes and the kids can help make them.
Nutritious! They are processed sugar-free - and can be made gluten-free. Add protein powder for an added boost (or hemp seeds or chia seeds)!
Not-too nutritious! Like my No-Bake Peanut Butter Oat Squares, they don't taste healthy
They are adaptable. If you don't have almond butter you can swap it for peanut butter or even tahini for a nut-free version.

What are Bliss Balls?

Whether you call them bliss balls, snack balls or energy balls, these treats are the sweet snack you want when you want something a little healthier.

Made from raw whole foods, bliss balls come in a huge range of offerings but are generally filled with energy-boosting ingredients like dates, nuts, oats, dried fruits and seeds.

Are Bliss Balls Good For You?

Yes. In moderation.

Bliss balls contain healthy fats, fibre, plant-based protein and energy-boosting carbohydrates but they still should be considered a treat.

While the ingredients are whole, bliss balls can be high in fat and natural sugars.

What You'll Need

Bliss balls, snack balls, protein balls, energy balls with dates...whatever you call them, these little guys are loaded with the goodness of all-natural ingredients:

Almond or Peanut Butter for protein and good fats.

Toasted Rolled Oats for the antioxidants, fibre and blood sugar reducing power

Medjool Dates for natural sweetness, antioxidants, fibre and energy

Protein Powder for, well more protein, yes? This is optional.

Desiccated Coconut for mixing and rolling

Tips to Making these Tasty Treats

Toasting the Oats

You may well be wondering why I toast the oats and to be honest, it's not mandatory. However, I find toasting the oatmeal for 5 minutes before processing enhances the flavour but also makes the finished energy ball less "chewy".

We are aiming for firm but squidgy, not chewy.

Soaking the Dates

Another little trick is to soak the Medjool dates. Fresh dates will chop up easily in a processor but sometimes they might need a little help especially if the dates are not super fresh.

A quick soak in hot water before going in to the processor takes out some of the grunt work for your machine.

Once the mixture is combined roll it into balls and you are pretty much done. Win.

Use A Food Processor

This recipe has been tested using a food processor. These are bliss balls with dates so you'll need a bit of space to chop those babies up. While you may be able to use a blender, I suspect the mixture would get all caught up at the bottom of the jug.

Storage

You can store your bliss balls in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. I use a lunch balls and lay a sheet of baking paper between the layers to prevent sticking.

Store them in the freezer the same way for up to 3 months.

Recipe FAQ's

Can I use another nut butter?

Almond butter is one of my favourite ingredients. I use it in my Almond Butter Maple Granola Recipe, Vegan Almond Butter Raspberry Muffins and no-bake slices because it is just so dang tasty and versatile. However, you could swap it for peanut butter or cashew butter.

I can't eat nuts, what can I use instead of nut butter?

I haven't tested this recipe with a seeded butter but you could use one. You could also use tahini. Or you could try these nut-free cacao and coconut bliss balls from Taste Australia.

More snack ideas:

A Simple Vegan Kale and Cashew Pesto

Roasted Beetroot Hummus

Homemade Cashew Butter

Vegan Scones Recipe

Easy Sweet Potato Chocolate Fudge Squares

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