Last updated on December 3rd, 2022 at 07:48 am
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.
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
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 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
Easy Sweet Potato Chocolate Fudge Squares
Hungry for More Plant-Based Goodness? Subscribe to my newsletter and follow along on Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram for all the latest news and updates. If you like this recipe, please check out my cookbook. Great Vegan Meals for the Carnivorous Family is full of simple, carnivore-approved family recipes.
Almond Butter Bliss Balls
Equipment
- food processor
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 teaspoon sea salt
- ¾ cup / 165g almond or peanut butter
- 2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¾ cup / 60g desiccated coconut divided in to a ½ cup and a ¼ cup for rolling
- 2-3 tablespoon water
- 2 tablespoon peanut butter protein powder (optional)
Instructions
- Pit the dates and place them in a bowl and cover with hot to boiling water for 5 minutes.
- Place the rolled oats and a pinch of salt in a large skillet and place over low to medium heat to toast. Stirring regularly, cook for around 5 minutes or until the oatmeal is fragrant and just beginning to brown at the edges. Remove from the heat.
- Strain the dates and place them in a food processor with the almond butter, toasted oats, vanilla, a ½ cup of coconut and the protein powder (if using)
- Process the mixture adding 2 or 3 teaspoons of water to bring the it together. Continue processing until the dates are broken down and the mixture sticks together.
- Pop the remaining coconut in a bowl and begin rolling the snack ball mixture in to equal-sized balls (around a tablespoon each) and roll each through the coconut to coat.
- Store in an airtight container in the fridge or freezer.
Rachael Bawden-Green says
How much is one serving? Thank you
Amanda says
Hi Rachael,
One serve is one snack ball. 🙂 I hope you enjoy them.
A.
Mumbai Masala Indian Restaurant says
Yummmm this looks so comforting! thanks for sharing.
Kat says
So very delicious. My boys loved them!!
Amanda says
Awesome! That makes me very happy.
Deb Burket says
In your recipe you don’t say when to add the oats to the mixture. You just say to toast them.
You might want to correct your recipe.
Amanda says
Whoops! Thanks for letting me know Deb. What a goose I am.