Apricot Coconut Bliss Balls

Name: Apricot Coconut Bliss Balls
Prep time: 20 min
Total time: 20 min
Ingredients: 1 cup (190 g) soft dried apricots (See Note 1); 2/3 cup (70 g) unsweetened desiccated coconut; 1/2 cup (50 g) almond meal (See Note 2); 2 tbsp (40 ml) maple syrup (See Note 3); 1 tsp vanilla extract (See Note 5); 1 tbsp white chia seeds (See Note 3); 2 tbsp (40 ml) water - if necessary (See Notes 3 and 4); 3 tbsp unsweetened desiccated coconut (See Note 3 and 6)

For the full recipe including quantities and method, click the "jump to recipe" button, or scroll through and read our helpful tips along the way.

Jump to Recipe Leave Review

These gorgeous Apricot Coconut Bliss Balls are simple to prepare and utterly delicious. They are made with simple ingredients and come together quickly for a healthy snack!

small round white and pink plate with bliss balls, sitting on a pink and white marble background.

Why we love this recipe:

These Apricot Coconut Bliss Balls are made with ingredients which are easily found in the supermarket. There is no cooking involved; all the ingredients are raw and are easily whizzed together in the bowl of a food processor.

They are free of refined sugar; their natural sweetness comes from the dried apricots, and yet they satisfy my sweet cravings.

They are less sweet than the bliss balls made with dates but equally delicious. The combination of apricots and coconut is light, fresh and slightly tangy.

They travel well so are ideal in lunch boxes, take on picnics or to a potluck. They make a lovely gift; put them in a cellophane bag and tie with a pretty ribbon.

The children will love them, and they are far healthier than a supermarket snack which is over-salted or over-sweetened and contains who-knows-what additives.

As well, if your children are of the right age, get them to help you roll the balls. Things may get a little messy and fingers get sticky but they will enjoy them all the more for being involved.

They are great to have on hand. Keep a container of these in the fridge to enjoy with a tea or coffee, pack them in the children’s lunch boxes or keep some in the drawer of your desk to provide a quick pick-me-up.

Ingredients in this recipe:

Please see the recipe card further along in the post for exact quantities of ingredients and the full method.

Apricots – use soft dried apricots if possible. If your apricots are dry you may need to add some water to the mixture to get it to properly combine.

Almond meal – both almond meal and almond flour are made from ground almonds. However, one may be made from blanched almonds and the other from the whole almond. You could use either in this recipe; the one made from the whole almond will contain more fibre.

Desiccated coconut – this is finely grated, un-sweetened and dried flesh from the white part of the coconut. Store your coconut in an airtight container in a cool, dry and dark place. Alternatively, to extend the shelf life, store it in the fridge or freezer.

Chia seeds – currently enjoying enormously popularity, chia seeds were once a staple in the Mayan and Aztec diets. Chia seeds absorb liquid and form a gel; they help bind the bliss balls.

Water – I add some filtered water to help the ingredients bind together. If your mixture seems too dry to roll into a ball, add a little more water.

Maple Syrup – adds a little sweetness to the bliss balls, and balances the flavour.

Vanilla – use a good quality vanilla that has been extracted from the vanilla bean, and not synthetically flavoured.

Step by Step Instructions:

Add the dried apricots to the bowl of a food processor.
Process the apricots until they are finely chopped.
Add the coconut, almond meal, vanilla, maple syrup, chia and water to the food processor, and blend until well combined.
Check that the mixture is sufficiently moist to be able to roll into balls. If not, add a little water and blend again. Take about a teaspoon of the mixture, and roll into small bowls and toss in the coconut.

Tips for Success and FAQs:

Ideally, use apricots that are very soft; if not, you may need to add some water to the mixture when blending.

After blending the mixture, take a small amount, press it together between your fingers to check if it can be pressed into bars. If the mixture is too crumbly, add a small amount of water to bind it together. Add more if necessary.

How long will the Apricot Coconut Bliss Balls last for?

They will last in the refrigerator, stored in an airtight container, for about one week.

Can they be frozen?

Yes, they can. They can be frozen in an airtight container for about 3 months.

More delicious recipes for you to try:

After some more healthy snack ideas? Try some of these recipes:

These Apricot Coconut Bliss Balls make for a great snack. This easy to make recipe will become a new favourite – be sure to let me know when you have given it a try!

Alex xx