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
Recipe Measurements:
For accuracy, when weights are provided, we recommend weighing your ingredients. This will produce the best results.
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.
Erika Tiara
Caramel bliss sure is a perfect companion for tea and coffee! Thanks for sharing this wonderful recipe, can’t wait to try!!
Alexandra
So happy to hear that Erika, I am confident that you will enjoy the bliss balls. 🙂
Terri Beavers
Now that’s a recipe I could sink my teeth into. I love salted caramel anything and the added plus is the coconut. I’ll have to let the grandkids help me make these, this weekend.
Alexandra
It would be lots of fun to make these with your grandchildren. Enjoy! 🙂
Krysten Quiles
Oooh I totally need to make these for when I’m looking for a snack. And I LOVE salted caramel, yum!
Alexandra
Salted caramel – a glorious combination. I do hope that you try them Krysten. 🙂
Vicky Hallnewman
These look lovely and coconut is one of my favourite flavours to eat.
Alexandra
Thank you Vicky, I am so pleased that you like the recipe. 🙂
Candace Hampton
This looks so yummy! I really like your recipes. They are always surprisingly innovative. Amazing that it’s dairy free and vegan!
Alexandra
Thank you, Candace, for the lovely comments. These are great for people with dietary restrictions. 🙂
Chad
These are gonna be a bliss to eat for sure!!! I can’t wait to make them, can’t wait! They look so delicious. Thanks for sharing.
Alexandra
Thank you Chad, so pleased you are going to make them. Enjoy! 🙂
Enriqueta E Lemoine
Love your recipes Alex. These energy balls are already in my to do list.
Alexandra
Thank you for the lovely comment Enriqueta, I do appreciate it. 🙂
Brian
I was very pleased to see this recipe, as I am always keen to try something that is refined sugar free.
These are certainly not lacking in flavour – they are beautifully sweet from the dates, and the salt adds such a lovely contrast of flavour. I am a big fan of salty sweet things – and this is my new favourite.
Bravo.
Alexandra
Brian, thank you so much for the lovely feedback. I do agree, salty/sweet flavours are delicious and also a favourite of mine. The fact they are refined sugar-free is also a plus. 🙂
Alice
One word: YUM.
These are great. Perfect when you want a sweet treat!
Alexandra
Thank you so much Alice, I love that I can enjoy one or two without feeling guilty. 🙂
Emmy
I am so excited to report that these were SO delicious.
I am going to make another batch tomorrow and freeze – I feel like I need to always have them on hand.
Alexandra
Emmy, I like to always have some of these on hand; they are perfect with a tea or coffee. 🙂
Beth
Theses look so delicious!! I can totally see myself snacking on these all day – good thing they are healthy!
Alexandra
I am so pleased that you like them Beth. Please let me know if you make them. 🙂
Natalie
YUM! I love salted caramel! These bliss balls looks so delicious and I love how easy this recipe is.
Alexandra
Salted caramel – two words that mean delicious! And the fact that they are so easily made is another plus. 🙂
Caitlyn Erhardt
These sound like the perfect treat! I know my son and I would love these.
Alexandra
I look forward to hearing if you make the bliss balls Caitlyn. 🙂
Sylvie
ooooh you’ve done it again – how delicious do these little treat sound and look!! I love how easy they are to make, yet packed with yummy ingredients. A perfect healthy sweet treat to have on to go!
Alexandra
Thank you so much Sylvie; I love that I can enjoy one or two without guilt. 🙂
Kristine
I loved these bliss balls! I am constantly looking for new healthy post-workout snacks and I’m so glad I tried these! They’re a keeper, thanks!
Alexandra
Thank you for letting me know that you made and enjoyed the bliss balls Kristine. I do appreciate it. 🙂
David @ Spiced
I love the flavors you’ve got going on here, Alexandra! These bites would indeed be perfect with a cup of tea or coffee. I love that dates are the primary ingredient here. Also, I’m all about the flaked sea salt, too. I have to make a stop by a different grocery store here to find it, but it’s so worth it! Great idea, my friend!
Alexandra
Thank you for the lovely comments David. I like that I can enjoy one or two of these without guilt. And yes, the flaked sea salt makes all the difference. I always have several boxes on hand for fear of running out. 🙂