It's easy to see how these lovely chocolate bliss balls get their name. They are fudgy, chocolatey and totally satisfying. This healthy snack will keep you feeling energised with protein, fibre and healthy fats.
No bake chocolate almond bliss balls are incredibly easy to make, and there's no cooking required. They are a perfect healthy snack for chocolate cravings! These vegan chocolate energy balls are also gluten free with no added sugar.
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What you'll love about the recipe
- These delicious healthy chocolate bliss balls are kid and adult friendly. They are also good for special dietary needs as they are gluten free, grain free, vegan and dairy free. You can also make nut free energy balls by using sunflower seeds instead of almonds. This bliss ball recipe is free from added sugar.
- Only 5 ingredients are needed to make the recipe. And you can use substitutions for most of the ingredients!
- Quick and easy to make. Ready to eat in 10 minutes, these raw energy bites mean you won't need to turn the oven on. (There are lots more no-bake treats on Cinnamon and Kale)
- Portable. Unlike some chocolate snacks, these vegan bliss balls don't need to be refrigerated. So they are a perfect energy ball to take on a journey.
You might also like these homemade Nak'd bars.
Why are chocolate bliss balls healthy?
This chocolate bliss balls recipe is nutrient dense. All the whole food ingredients in these nutritious little energy bites are healthy.
- Prunes are a good source of antioxidants and fibre and are beneficial for digestion, blood sugar levels and bone health. I've made these chocolate bliss balls without dates as prunes are lower in sugar and carbs than dates. You can read more about the health benefits of prunes here.
- Almonds and chia seeds also contain fibre, and almonds are a good source of magnesium and vitamin E. Chia seeds are also thought to be good for bone and heart health, and are a vegetarian source of omega 3 fatty acids. The nuts and seeds also add protein to these energy balls.
- Coconut oil is a heart-healthy fat, high in medium chain triglycerides (MCTs), which your body and brain can use as a quick source of energy. It also makes these bliss balls very satisfying.
- Cocoa is another ingredient which can benefit your heart, as it contains flavanols which can help to reduce bad cholesterol. There's a reason why you might crave chocolate when you're feeling a bit down. Cocoa contains both flavanols and polyphenols which can help to improve blood flow to your brain, and increase calmness and contentment. Cocoa is also a surprising source of fibre, which can help to control your blood sugar levels. (Read more about the health benefits of cocoa)
You might also like these apricot energy balls.
Ingredients
Dried prunes (from a packet not a can). Prunes form the sweet sticky base for these bliss balls. They are a natural sweetener in this recipe which means there's no need for added sugar. Some packets of dried prunes are marked as ready to eat and are slightly more hydrated that other types. But for this recipe it doesn't matter as they are briefly soaked in water anyway.
Other types of dried fruit can be used instead of prunes if you prefer. You can use dates, although your bliss balls will be a little higher in sugar. You could also use raisins which will still taste delicious and are more budget friendly.
Coconut oil adds a little extra richness to these fudgy bliss balls. If you don't have coconut oil, you could add a teaspoon of nut butter, or a healthy mild flavoured oil.
Ground almonds provide a lovely texture and nutty flavour. Using ready ground nuts means that it's easier to blitz the mixture. You could use different nuts if you prefer. If you've got a super high powered blender, you could use whole rather than ground nuts. If you want nut free bliss balls, use sunflower seeds.
The cocoa in this recipe provides a rich chocolate flavour. Make sure you use unsweetened cocoa rather than drinking chocolate which contains a high proportion of sugar. If you prefer you can also use unprocessed raw cacao powder.
Chia seeds provide texture in the bliss balls, and also help to mixture to stick together.
Chia seeds can also be used in this quick jam recipe, or in these chewy chia flapjacks.
Optional ingredients
You can also add vanilla extract, almond extract or a pinch of cinnamon for extra flavour. Or try a tiny pinch of salt to further enhance the chocolate.
How to make chocolate bliss balls
It's very quick and easy to make these healthy chocolate bliss balls.
First, tip some boiling water over the chopped prunes, and leave them to soak whilst you assemble the other ingredients.
Then drain the prunes, and add them to a blender or processor along with all the other ingredients. Blitz until everything is well mixed. If necessary, scrape down the sides and run the processor again.
Remove the mixture from the blender. It's easy to handle, but to stop it sticking to your hands, you can oil them slightly first. Cut the dough into 12 pieces and roll into chocolate balls.
Expert tips
If you like, you can roll the bliss balls in a decorative coating. For the top picture, I rolled them in ground almonds, and unsweetened cocoa.
Place about a teaspoon of your chosen coating in a small cup and add a ball. Gently swirl the cup around until the ball is evenly coated. Repeat with the rest of the bliss balls.
Serving and storage
Easy chocolate bliss balls are an ideal healthy snack at any time of day. The fibre, protein and natural sugars make them satisfying and energising.
You can also serve these raw chocolate balls as a healthy mini dessert, why not add some berries or tangerines alongside?
Healthy chocolate bliss balls are great for meal prep as they can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature. They'll keep for a few days if you can resist them that long! If you want a very firm textured chocolate energy ball, you can store them in the fridge.
They also freeze well if you want to store them for longer.
Frequently asked questions
Bliss balls are no bake energy balls or bites. They are made from a mixture of dried fruits which are blended with nuts and seeds and rolled into balls. They are also sometimes known as protein balls.
Yes. Healthy bliss balls are made from a base of nuts, seeds and dried fruit, with no added sugar. They are rich in fibre and healthy fats, and are a healthy energy snack.
If you want bliss balls without coconut oil, nut butter is a good substitute in this recipe. You could also replace coconut oil with another healthy oil or omit the oil altogether from the recipe. If the mixture is a little dry, add a tiny bit of the soaking water from the prunes.
Other healthy no bake chocolate snacks
If you are looking for other healthy chocolate no bake snacks, you could also try these rich, squidgy dairy-free truffles. Or try this healthy rocky road with popcorn.
These chocolate almonds or dark chocolate slab are also very quick and easy to make.
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Recipe
Chocolate Bliss Balls
Equipment
- Food processor or blender
Ingredients
- 80 g dried prunes can also use dates or raisins
- 60 g ground almonds
- 2 teaspoon coconut oil or use nut butter
- 1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa
- 2 tablespoon chia seeds
Instructions
- Chop the prunes into raisin sized pieces. Place in a small bowl and cover with boiling water for a couple of minutes.
- Add the ground almonds, coconut oil, chia seeds and cocoa to a food processor or blender. Drain the prunes and add them to the mixture. Blitz until well mixed. If necessary, scrape down the sides of the food processor and blitz again.
- Remove the mixture and cut into 12 pieces. Roll each piece into a ball.
Optional
- If you want to coat your bliss balls in ground almonds or cocoa, place a teaspoon of coating in a small cup. Add one ball at a time, and gently swirl the cup around until the ball is well coated.
Notes
Nutrition
Please note nutritional information is for guidance only
Kathryn says
These are well named, totally moreish. It's very hard to stop eating them...