Chocolate Orange Bliss Balls

Name: Chocolate Orange Bliss Balls
Prep time: 20 min
Total time: 20 min
Ingredients: 1 cup (220 g) medjool dates (See Note 1); 1 cup (150 g) raw cashews; 1/4 cup (30 g) cacao powder; 2 tsp white chia seeds; 2 tsp orange zest; 2 tbsp orange juice (See Note 2); 2 tbsp cacao powder OR desiccated coconut (See Note 2 and 3)

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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These delicious Chocolate Orange Bliss Balls are incredibly easy to make and are a healthy, satisfying sweet treat. These sweet bites are also refined sugar-free, gluten-free and vegan.

round white plate of bliss balls, surrounded by orange slices, sitting on a white marble background.

Why we love this recipe:

Some combinations of flavours work so well together, and chocolate and orange are two of the best. These Chocolate and Orange Bliss Balls taste decadent and rich, whilst being made from all natural ingredients and refined sugar free.

In other bliss ball recipes, we have used coconut to roll the bliss balls in, but for this recipe, we use cacao powder. It is slightly bitter, but works so well with the sweet contrast of the dates and fresh citrus flavour of the orange.

If you are making this recipe for children, you may wish to roll some of the balls in desiccated coconut instead. But for adults, the cacao is truly perfect, and provides an almost chocolate truffle like sensation.

Ingredients in this recipe:

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

Medjool dates – these are not the dried dates commonly found in the baking section of the supermarket. They are a fresh fruit, grown on a date palm. They have a natural sweetness and stickiness that works perfectly for these Chocolate Orange Bliss Balls. It’s best to store the dates in an airtight container in the fridge.

Cashews – I use raw cashews. They have a rich, creamy flavour and as they are softer than many other nuts they easily blend to a smooth paste. You can, however, leave them with a little texture if you prefer.

Cacao powder – pronounced “ka-cow”, is made from minimally processed cocoa beans and maintains the nutritional benefits of the bean. It is, in essence, chocolate in its purest form. We use it in the mixture for the bliss balls, and also to roll them in.

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.

Orange juice and zest – I add a little orange juice to help bind the mixture together, and some zest to get that extra boost of orange flavour.

Step by Step Instructions:

the four steps required to make this recipe.

Wash the dates and remove their seeds. I roughly chop them and add to the bowl of a food processor.
Add the cashews, cacao powder, chia seeds, orange juice and zest to the bowl of a food processor.
Blend until well combined.
Roll the mixture into small balls and toss them in cacao powder or desiccated coconut.

Tips for Success and FAQs:

The dates that we use in these Chocolate Orange Bliss Balls are Medjool dates. These are fresh dates, available from the greengrocer or fruit and veg section of the supermarket. They are not the dried variety that is found in the baking aisle of the supermarket.

After blending the mixture, take a small amount, press it together between your fingers to check if it can be rolled into balls. If the mixture is too crumbly, add a little more orange juice to bind it together.

I am making these bliss balls for children – what else can I roll them in other than cacao powder?

Roll the balls in unsweetened desiccated coconut.

How long will the Chocolate Orange Bliss Balls last for?

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

Can they be frozen?

To keep them longer, they can also be frozen in an airtight container for about 3 months.

small round pink and white bowl of bliss balls, with two orange slices sitting on edge of bowl.

More delicious recipes for you to try:

Here are some more of our favourite easy and healthy snack recipes for you to try:

Enjoy the rich taste of these delicious Chocolate Orange Bliss Balls. I would love to hear from you when you have given them a try!

Alex xx