With just 5 ingredients, these Salted Caramel Bliss Balls can be made in minutes.
They are a healthy, nutritious snack to have throughout the day.
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 a container in the drawer of your desk to provide a quick pick-me-up.
They are dairy-free, refined-sugar-free and vegan. Their natural sweetness comes from Medjool dates which provide a luscious, caramel flavour to the Bliss Balls.
Salted caramel is, without doubt, one of my favourite flavour combinations. However, it usually includes a lot of unhealthy, sugar-laden ingredients.
So, it is with a great deal of pleasure that I can enjoy these healthy little balls of energy without guilt.
Inspiration for this recipe:
To be completely honest, if there is any recipe or something on a menu somewhere with the words “salted caramel” in the description, there is a high chance I am going to be drawn to it.
I have been a fan of salted caramel for a long time now – I have always loved a sweet and slightly salty flavour combination.
As delicious as it is, however, it is not necessarily always the healthiest of options. So, the Bliss Balls were a recipe I had been keen to work on for some time.
I truly feel delighted when I make this recipe – it satisfies sweet cravings, gives me my salted caramel fix, and can be quite filling.
I use these ingredients in my Salted Caramel Bliss Balls:
Medjool Dates:
Whilst many of us think of dried fruit when we think of dates, Medjool dates are a fresh fruit, grown on a date palm. This date variety has a rich, caramel-like flavour and a soft, chewy texture.
They are a healthy way to enjoy a sweet treat. Medjool dates contain a good quantity of fibre, a large amount of potassium, along with magnesium, vitamin B6, niacin and calcium.
It’s best to store them in an airtight container in the fridge.
Almond meal/almond flour:
These can be used interchangeably. They are both made from ground almonds, however, the terms sometimes indicate that one is made from blanched almonds and the other is made from the whole almond.
Almond meal/flour is a popular ingredient in gluten-free baking and is important for those on a low carbohydrate diet.
Almond meal/flour is a good source of protein, dietary fibre, Vitamin E, magnesium and phosphorous along with heart-healthy monounsaturated fat.
To extend the shelf life, almond meal/flour is best stored in an airtight container in the fridge or freezer.
Desiccated Coconut:
This is finely grated, unsweetened and dried flesh from the white part of the coconut. It has many uses in baking and is an important part of many savoury dishes.
Store it in an airtight container in a cool, dry and dark place. Alternatively, to extend the shelf life, store it in the fridge or freezer.
Coconut meat has a high-fat content and contains a variety of minerals, including manganese, copper, selenium, phosphorus, potassium, and iron.
Vanilla Extract:
The terms vanilla extract and vanilla essence can vary between countries. I read the label and ensure that the vanilla I use is from vanilla beans and not synthetically produced.
Sea Salt:
The flavour of salt is important in these Bliss Balls. For the best flavour, use good quality sea salt; I prefer to use Maldon salt flakes.
This is how I make the Salted Caramel Bliss Balls:
There can be few things in the culinary world simpler to make than these Bliss Balls.
To begin, I wash the dates and remove their stones. I add the dates to the bowl of a food processor along with the almond meal/flour, coconut, vanilla extract and sea salt.
Then I blend the ingredients together until they are well combined.
Finally, I roll the mixture into balls, coat them in a little more coconut and they are ready.
More Suggestions for Using These Ingredients:
Almond meal is a versatile ingredient and is ideal for gluten-free baking. I have used it in my:
- Almond Cookies
- Gluten-Free Pear and Raspberry Cake
- Jam Shortbreads
- Raw Salted Caramel Bars
- Vegan Almond Cookies
These Salted Caramel Bliss Balls Tick a lot of boxes!
They are:
- Made from raw ingredients and do not require cooking;
- Gluten and dairy-free making them ideal for people with dietary restrictions;
- Free of refined sugar, being naturally sweetened by the dates;
- A good source of protein which enables the body to build and repair tissues. Our bodies also use protein as an energy source.;
- Rich in dietary fibre;
- Full of important nutrients; among them magnesium, potassium, Vitamins B5, B6, E and calcium;
- Enjoy these healthy Bliss Balls the next time you need a nutritious, energy-boosting snack. They are not complicated to make; it will take just a few minutes of your time.
Please let me know in the comments below if you make these delicious Salted Caramel Bliss Balls. And if you’re feeling like a more decadent treat, I highly recommend trying my Gluten-Free Salted Caramel Slice.
Alex xx
Salted Caramel Bliss Balls
Please note:
For accuracy, when weights are provided, we recommend weighing your ingredients. This will produce the best results. All oven temperatures listed are for fan forced.
Ingredients
- 1 cup Medjool dates firmly packed *
- 1 cup almond meal almond flour *
- ¼ cup desiccated coconut *
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt *
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract *
- 2 tablespoon desiccated coconut for rolling the bliss balls
Instructions
- Wash the Medjool dates, dry them thoroughly and remove the pits. Measure out 1 cup, firmly packed.
- Roughly chop the dates and add them to the bowl of a food processor together with the almond meal, ¼ cup desiccated coconut, sea salt and vanilla extract.
- Blend until the ingredients are smooth. Check that the mixture is sufficiently moist to be able to roll into balls. If not, add another date or two.
- Add the additional 2 tablespoons of coconut to a shallow, wide bowl. Roll the mixture into balls and then roll in the coconut.
- Store the Bliss Balls in the refrigerator in an airtight container.
Video
Notes
Nutrition Estimate:
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.
Judy
These salted caramel bliss balls turned out great! I made them to take t work for a treat and preparedsome rolled in coconut and some without. I am sure they will love them as much as I do. Thanks for the recipe!
Alexandra Cook
Hi Judy,
Thank you so much! 🙂 They’re the perfect work snack.
I really appreciate your comment. Alex xo
Claire
Hi Alex! I made these caramel bliss balls as part of a grazing board for a get-together and my friends loved it! We have a few dietary restrictions so it was nice having something that everyone can enjoy. We also made your bread dipping oil as part of the platter. I’m so happy to have discovered your site and all your gluten-free recipes!
Alexandra
Hi Claire, I am delighted that you and your friends enjoyed the Salted Caramel Bliss Balls and the Bread Dipping Oil. Thank you so much for your lovely feedback. 🙂
Jaya
Hi, I made these and can say they are absolutely delicious! Taking some away on a holiday with my girlfriends as a healthy treat. They are also delicious dipped in melted 70% chocolate. Thanks for the recipe. 🙂
Alexandra
Thank you so much for your lovely comment, Jaya – I am so pleased to hear this. And I can’t wait to try some dipped in chocolate – what a great idea! 🙂
Heather
Thank you for the tip about using medjool dates! I’ve tried other recipes in the past but I figured out I was using the wrong dates. These are so good with medjools and now I’m hooked! Great recipe, thank you.
Alexandra
Hi Heather, Medjool dates are terrific aren’t they? They’re so good for snacking or turning into a healthy snack such as these Bliss Balls. I’m so pleased that you like the recipe. Thank you. 🙂
Belinda
I made these as part of a picnic for my family and we loved them! My kids ate them up in between running around the park and they made such a convenient, healthy snack. Loved them!
Alexandra
Hi Belinda, I am so pleased to hear that you and your family enjoyed the Salted Caramel Bliss Balls. Thank you so much for letting me know. 🙂
Maria
So gooood!! I’ve made these several times before and they come out great every time! I add cinnamon and nutmeg for a bit of spice and they’re great with my morning tea. Can’t decide which I like better, this one or your apricot coconut bliss balls. Both are so delicious!
Alexandra
Hi Maria, I am so happy to hear that you have made the Salted Caramel Bliss Balls several times. What a great idea to add some spice? Sounds so good. It’s a tough decision between these and the Apricot Bliss Balls – just make them both. 🙂
Naomi
This is just what I was craving! I’ve started eating healthier to reduce my sugar intake and whenever I’m craving something sweet, I reach for one of these and they’re the perfect little snack with just the right amount of sweetness. Healthy, delicious, and easy to make!
Alexandra
Thanks, Naomi!
I find them to be a great snack for those sweet cravings also!
Sarah
These are perfect for breakfast! I’m usually in a rush in the mornings so I make these on the weekends and they’re perfect having during my morning commute. I sometimes add almond extract instead of vanilla since I love its flavor!
Alexandra
Hi Sarah!
Such a great snack for on the go!
Almond extract is such a delicious addition 🙂
Tina
Love them
Alexandra
Thank you so much, Tina!