Bliss Balls / Energy Balls or whatever you wish to call them, are such an easy snack option. Just whizz up the ingredients in a food processor and roll. This recipe is easily customised to make Bliss Balls that are tailored to your family's health requirements or their favourite flavours.
Not surprisingly there are thousands of different bliss ball recipes available online. I'm putting it down to the fact that they are...
- so easy to make,
- so easy to adapt and
- so, so, so delicious.
When something is as simple as throwing ingredients into a food processor then I am sold.
Are Bliss Balls / Energy Balls Healthy?
Like a lot of things in life, bliss balls aren't all created equal. The macronutrients (proteins, carbohydrates & fat) content can vary immensely from ball to ball.
Bliss balls packed with dates, dried fruit, honey or other sweeteners will obviously have a high sugar content and would be considered more of an occasional treat.
Balls crammed with nuts, seeds and nut butter will provide a good source of protein and fats for you and your kids' diet.
Balls loaded with oats will provide a good source of carbohydrate and fibre.
I would consider this particular recipe a treat. It has a high percentage of dates, making them delicious but high in sugar. For that reason, I have rolled them into smaller balls, around ½ a tablespoon each. Once rolled you can coat them in coconut, crushed nuts, cocoa powder or leave them uncoated. Personally, I think the bitterness of the cocoa works perfectly with the sweet date and cherry mixture.
If you are looking for a healthier, low sugar ball recipe then I have a delicious
Raspberry Coconut Breakfast Ball recipe and also a
Both recipes have no sweeteners and very little dried fruit. I call them breakfast balls as they are packed with oats, ground nuts/nut butter and fruit.
Storage Instructions
The best way to store bliss balls is to pop them in a freezable container and freeze. You can then take them out as needed.
You can also store these in the refrigerator for up to one week (if they last that long)!
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Cherry Bliss Balls
Ingredients
- 9 (200g) Medjool Dates (pitted) * See Note 1
- 15 Cherries (pitted)
- 1 cup (75g) Desiccated Coconut (unsweetened)
- â…“ cup (35g) Oats * See Note 2
- 1 ½ tablespoon Cacao Powder
Instructions
- Add all the ingredients to a blender and blend until everything is finely chopped and the mixture comes together. (See photo above)
- Roll into small balls. Mine were around ½ a tablespoon each, weighing roughly 13g. I made 28 balls from the mixture.
- Leave uncoated or roll in some desiccated coconut / cacao / LSA mix / crushed nuts etc.
Recipe Notes
- Fresh dates work best in this recipe. If your dates are quite dry and hard then soak them in some hot water for a couple of minutes. This will make it easier to blend.Â
- If you are not avoiding nuts then almonds taste delicious in this recipe. Try substituting the oats with almonds. Â
Dr Martin Huang says
So great! Me and my friends love them and it's delicious.
Emma says
I'm going to try these today! I'm not the best cook so will test it out with an easy delicious one
Amy says
Thanks Emma, you are going to love them! 😉
Katie | Healthy Seasonal Recipes says
Thank you for mentioning that they're high in sugar- albeit from dates. So many energy balls are just candy in disguise. Ha ha. Love these pics especially with the wee hands! Adorable!
Amy says
Hi Katie, exactly! These are definitely a sweet treat!
fiona says
I too have been seeing these bliss/energy balls at every coffee shop it seems! You're so right in that they're so simple (and much less expensive) to make at home. Love the idea of adding cherries!
Dannii says
You can't beat homemade energy balls and chocolate and cherry is one of the best combinations. My little girl loves them.
Amy says
Thanks Dannii, I agree - chocolate and cherry is amazing!
Linda @ With A Blast says
Love that these freeze well as I am definitely making a double batch ! My son will also appreciate a couple in his lunch box every now and then 😉
Amy says
Thanks Linda, a double batch sounds like a good plan!
Natalie says
I love these kinds of recipes - so easy and delicious yet super healthy! These bliss balls look like the perfect after-workout treat. YUM!