by Indulge in the delightful taste of cherry bliss balls - a tasty treat that's perfect for any occasion!
If you have already tried and enjoyed our fruity ball recipes like these raspberry balls and blueberry balls, you'll find these cherry bliss balls a delightful addition to your repertoire. Bonus: this cherry version is nut-free making them perfect for the lunch box.
More nut-free bliss balls (energy balls).
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Reasons to Love this Recipe...
- The amazing chocolate cherry flavour.
- Quick and easy to make.
- Versatile - perfect for on-the-go snacking or dessert.
- Lunchbox friendly (nut free)
Ingredient Information (and Alternative Suggestions)
- Medjool Dates: Provides natural sweetness and binding texture.
Alternative Suggestions: You can use dried dates but make sure to soak them beforehand to make them easier to blend. You can also replace it with raisins or other dried fruit. - Cherries: Infuses the bliss balls with vibrant cherry flavor. Can use frozen or canned if you wish.
- Desiccated Coconut (unsweetened): Adds texture and coconutty taste.
- Rolled Oats: Used to bulk out the ball and enhance the nutritional profile.
You can replace it with nuts such as walnuts, cashews, macadamia, etc., or a mix of nuts. - Cacao Powder: Introduces rich, chocolatey notes.
Step By Step Instructions
- Add all the ingredients to a food processor and blend until everything is finely chopped and the mixture comes together.
- Roll into small balls, approximately ½ tablespoon each. This mixture yields about 28 balls.
- Leave uncoated or roll in desiccated coconut, cacao, LSA mix, crushed nuts, or your preferred coating.
Top Tips
- If your dates are on the dry side, soak them in warm water for 10-15 mins before adding them to the food processor.
- Struggling to roll into balls? Try chilling the mixture for 15-30 minutes before rolling. This will make it easier.
- Slightly dampen your hands before rolling the balls. This will help prevent the mixture from sticking to your hands, making the rolling process smoother and more manageable
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, in an airtight container, for up to five days (if they last that long)!
Recipe FAQs
I do not recommend these cherry bliss balls for babies due to their high date content and cocoa. Instead, for babies, I'd suggest offering finely chopped, pitted, and de-stemmed cherries to stir through foods like yogurt, chia seed pudding, or oatmeal.
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.
More Energy Ball Recipes to Try...
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Cherry Bliss Balls
Equipment
- 1 Food Processor
Ingredients
- 9 (200g) Medjool Dates (pitted) * See Note 1
- 15 Cherries (pitted)
- 1 cup (75g) Desiccated Coconut (unsweetened)
- ⅓ 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 around 10 minutes. This will make it easier to blend.
- If you are not avoiding nuts then almonds taste delicious in this recipe. Try substituting the oats with almonds or other nuts.
Barbara Bari
Since cherries are not currently in season, can one use canned cherries?
Amy
I have never tried the recipe with canned cherries so can't say how they would turn out. I'm sure they will work well, you may have to up the dry ingredients a little if mixture too wet. Enjoy!
Emily Ryall
Hat happens if u don’t add cherries
Amy
If you don't add cherried they won't be cherry bliss balls 😉 . You can replace the cherries with raspberries (or a different fruit), I bet that would taste delicious 🙂
Dr Martin Huang
So great! Me and my friends love them and it's delicious.
Emma
I'm going to try these today! I'm not the best cook so will test it out with an easy delicious one
Amy
Thanks Emma, you are going to love them! 😉
Katie | Healthy Seasonal Recipes
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
Hi Katie, exactly! These are definitely a sweet treat!
fiona
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
You can't beat homemade energy balls and chocolate and cherry is one of the best combinations. My little girl loves them.
Amy
Thanks Dannii, I agree - chocolate and cherry is amazing!
Linda @ With A Blast
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
Thanks Linda, a double batch sounds like a good plan!
Natalie
I love these kinds of recipes - so easy and delicious yet super healthy! These bliss balls look like the perfect after-workout treat. YUM!