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    Home » Gluten Free » Apricot Coconut Bliss Balls

    Apricot Coconut Bliss Balls

    Published: Sep 3, 2020 by Alexandra Cook

    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.

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    Jump to Recipe Leave Review
    pinterest image with photos of recipe top and bottom and text overlay in the centre.

    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:

    ingredients in this recipe on a white background.

    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:

    the four steps to make this recipe.
    1. Add the dried apricots to the bowl of a food processor.
    2. Process the apricots until they are finely chopped.
    3. Add the coconut, almond meal, vanilla, maple syrup, chia and water to the food processor, and blend until well combined.
    4. 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.

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

    More delicious recipes for you to try:

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

    • Tamari Roasted Pepitas
    • Soy Roasted Almonds
    • Spicy Roasted Almonds
    • Salt and Pepper Walnuts
    • Roasted Mediterranean Olives
    • Mixed Seed Crackers
    • Salted Caramel Bliss Balls
    • Chocolate Mint Bliss Balls
    • Nut-Free Chocolate Bliss Balls

    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

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

    Apricot Coconut Bliss Balls

    Satisfy your sweet cravings with these Apricot Coconut Bliss Balls. These delicious sweet bites are also refined sugar-free, gluten-free and vegan.
    4.96 from 131 votes
    Print Pin Review
    Course: Afternoon Tea, Morning Tea, Snack
    Cuisine: International
    Prep Time: 20 minutes
    Cook Time: 0 minutes
    Total Time: 20 minutes
    Servings: 30 bliss balls
    Calories: 43kcal
    Author: Alexandra Cook – It’s Not Complicated Recipes

    Ingredients

    For the Bliss Balls:

    • 1 cup (190 g) soft dried apricots See Note 1
    • ⅔ cup (70 g) unsweetened desiccated coconut
    • ½ cup (50 g) almond meal See Note 2
    • 2 tablespoon (40 ml) maple syrup See Note 3
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract See Note 5
    • 1 tablespoon white chia seeds See Note 3
    • 2 tablespoon (40 ml) water – if necessary See Notes 3 and 4

    To Coat the Bliss Balls:

    • 3 tablespoon unsweetened desiccated coconut See Note 3 and 6

    Recipe Measurements:

    For accuracy, we recommend weighing your ingredients. This will produce the best results.

    Prevent your screen from going dark

    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 mixture, and roll into small bowls and toss in the coconut.
    • Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

    Notes

    1. If measuring by volume, the apricots are firmly packed in the cup. We have used soft apricots. If yours are not soft you may need to add a small amount of additional water to the mixture when blending.
    2. 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.
    3. In Australia, the tablespoon is 20 ml or 4 teaspoons. In many other countries, the tablespoon is 15 ml or 3 teaspoons. You may need to adjust your quantities accordingly.
    4. Add water only if necessary to help the mixture combine to be rolled into balls.
    5. For the best flavour, use vanilla which is extracted from the vanilla bean, not one which is synthetically produced. 
    6. Use unsweetened desiccated coconut. 
      You may find you need a little extra to roll the bliss balls in.
    7. Please note, the nutritional information is calculated on one bliss ball. The nutritional information is an estimate only.

    Nutrition Estimate:

    Calories: 43kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 2mg | Potassium: 68mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 3g | Calcium: 11mg | Iron: 1mg
    Tried this Recipe? Please rate and leave a comment!
    Nutritional Disclaimer:

    The nutritional information is an estimate only, and is derived from online calculators. For accurate results, we recommend calculating the nutritional information based on the ingredients and brands you use.

    « Chocolate Mint Bliss Balls
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    4840 shares

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Phoebe

      February 20, 2022 at 6:46 pm

      5 stars
      These are delicious…and so easy to make. Even my fussy eater gave them a thumbs up. I didn’t have any almond flour so I substituted 1/2 cup (50g) of rolled oats. Added the two tablespoons of water and it blended all together really well. Better than store bought apricot delight. Next time, however I will leave the chia seeds out.

      Reply
      • Alexandra

        February 21, 2022 at 3:57 pm

        Hi Phoebe, thank you so much for your fantastic feedback on the Apricot Coconut Bliss Balls. I’m delighted to hear that you enjoyed them and found the rolled oats a good substitute for almond flour. 🙂

        Reply
    2. Steph

      December 03, 2021 at 9:45 pm

      What could I use instead of almond meal? I’m allergic to tree nuts. Thank you!

      Reply
      • Alexandra

        December 04, 2021 at 9:38 am

        Hey Steph!
        We are working on a nut-free version of the apricot bliss balls at the moment.
        In the meantime, these Nut Free Chocolate Bliss Balls are delicious!
        Hope that helps 🙂

        Reply
    3. Lucy

      September 22, 2021 at 5:39 pm

      These are really yummy and a great texture. Do you know if I can freeze them? Thanks so much

      Reply
      • Alexandra

        September 22, 2021 at 6:00 pm

        Hi Lucy, you sure can – see the Tips for Success section of the blog post for storing 🙂 They will last for up to 3 months.
        Let me know if you give them a try! Kind regards, Alex

        Reply
      • Shannon

        December 07, 2021 at 7:57 pm

        Can I use a blender for this recipe?

        Reply
        • Alexandra

          December 08, 2021 at 5:52 pm

          Hi Shannon, I prefer to use a food processor as it blends the ingredients more evenly and I haven’t tried using a blender. To use a blender, you would need a high-speed blender, but it may be difficult to remove the apricot mixture from the jug. Just try gradually blending and stop as the ingredients combine but not so far that it becomes solid and difficult to remove. I hope this helps. Cheers, Alex 🙂

    4. Anaiah

      September 10, 2021 at 10:07 pm

      5 stars
      I love making these apricot coconut bliss balls! They’re so easy to make and packed with flavor and nutrients. Perfect snacks to bring to work.

      Reply
      • Alexandra

        September 12, 2021 at 2:13 pm

        Hi Anaiah, I am so pleased to hear that you enjoy the Apricot Coconut Balls. They certainly are a delicious snack. 🙂

        Reply
    5. Kayla DiMaggio

      September 05, 2021 at 9:46 pm

      5 stars
      These apricot coconut bliss balls are so delicious! I love the fresh and bright flavors and I love how easy they were!

      Reply
      • Alexandra

        September 07, 2021 at 5:47 pm

        Hi Kayla, thank you for your feedback regarding the Apricot Coconut Bliss Balls. I am delighted to hear that you enjoy them. 🙂

        Reply
    6. Jean

      September 05, 2021 at 11:07 am

      5 stars
      These are perfect for my before and after run quick bites especially when I can only run after work and I’m so hungry but can’t eat heavy.

      Reply
      • Alexandra

        September 07, 2021 at 5:53 pm

        Hello Jean, I am so pleased that you enjoy the Apricot Coconut Bliss Balls before and after your runs. Thank you for your comments. 🙂

        Reply
    7. Oscar

      August 28, 2021 at 9:53 pm

      5 stars
      When I saw apricot I just had to try this recipe as it is my favourite fruit. These bliss balls were amazing and now I just want apricot and coconut everything.

      Reply
      • Alexandra

        August 29, 2021 at 10:37 am

        Thanks, Oscar! I agree – apricot and coconut is such a delicious combination 🙂

        Reply
    8. Addie

      August 27, 2021 at 11:59 am

      5 stars
      The perfect little bite!

      Reply
      • Alexandra

        August 29, 2021 at 10:36 am

        Thank you, Addie!

        Reply
    9. Tracey

      August 25, 2021 at 8:28 pm

      My mix didn’t make anywhere near 30 balls (they would have been minuscule) and I followed the recipe to a T. They did taste great.

      Reply
      • Alexandra

        August 29, 2021 at 10:35 am

        Hi Tracey!
        So pleased you enjoyed the taste 🙂 We shape ours using only about a teaspoon of the mixture for a small bite, but you can certainly make them larger if you prefer 🙂

        Reply
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    Hello!

    I’m Alex.

    I am a full-time blogger, passionate foodie and writer who loves to travel.

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