These easy to make chocolate coconut balls are really fun to make and your kids will love them too. Ready in around ten minutes these little chocolate energy balls are gorgeously squishy and melt in the mouth.
If you have a sweet tooth and are looking for something that’s easy-to-make from healthy raw ingredients then you won’t be disappointed. 😍
They’re totally lovely with an afternoon cuppa, or as a cheeky snack after dinner (I love them on a Friday night at home with a movie).
And by the way, these also make gorgeous chocolate gifts for birthdays, valentines, Easter, Christmas or any excuse actually, either wrapped up in a pretty box or you could fill a jar with them instead and tie with a ribbon.
If you’re starting a raw food diet but are worried about introducing raw food to your kids or your partner, then making raw treats and desserts and is an easy way to show them how wonderful raw foods can be.
This coconut chocolate bliss balls recipe is the first raw treat that I ever made, back in 2011 and I still enjoy these at home on a regular basis.
Are energy balls good for you?
Energy balls make a wonderful and very portable snack made from healthy whole food ingredients.
Also known as protein balls, energy bites or bliss balls they’re usually made with dates to sweeten and include nuts or seeds which are full of healthy fats and protein.
Their whole food ingredients make them a great occasional snack, dessert, sweet treat or pre-workout alternative to many highly sweetened processed foods on the market.
How long do chocolate coconut balls last?
You can keep energy balls in the fridge for up to 3 days in an airtight container or for up to 1 month in the freezer. Defrost thoroughly before eating.
Recipe Ingredients.
This recipe uses just 5 ingredients:
- Cacao powder : Cacao is the less processed and raw version of cocoa powder and it has a stronger, richer in flavour. It's also slightly more bitter than cocoa. Of course, you can use cocoa powder for this recipe if you prefer.
- Zamali or Medjool dates: Slice dates lengthways and pop out the seed in the middle before using them. Dates are very sweet and full of nutrients including protein, zinc, calcium, iron, phosphorous, potassium, vitamin A and more as well as being high in fibre.
- Desiccated coconut: Desiccated coconut is simply shredded and dried coconut. I use the unsweetened variety. It works great in raw energy balls as well as granola, cheesecake and for making other sweet treats. Although it’s high in saturated fats coconut is also nutrient rich.
- Ground Almonds: Use raw ground almonds if you can get them. I use leftover ground almonds from when I make almond milk. The pulp freezes well if you can't use it straight away. Almonds add a light buttery flavour to these energy balls and are full of vitamins, minerals, protein and fibre as well as being high in unsaturated fats.
- Virgin Coconut oil
More raw sweet treat ideas.
If you like this healthy chocolate balls recipe, please also check out my other sweet ideas:
- Strawberry and Coconut Chia Seed Pudding
- Red Berry Chia Pudding with Almond Milk
- Raw Raspberry Lemon Cheesecake
Healthy chocolate energy balls recipe
Equipment
- Food processor with an s-blade.
- Chopping board.
- Large plate.
- Teaspoon.
- Measuring Cup.
- Kettle.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon cacao powder, or cocoa if you find raw cacao too strong.
- 1 cup Medjool or Zamali dates (about 12)
- ½ cup desiccated coconut.
- ½ cup ground almonds.
- 2 tablespoon water.
- ¼ cup desiccated coconut for rolling.
Instructions
- Remove the pits from the dates then add them to a small bowl. Pour over some just boiled water from the kettle and allow them to soak for about 5 minutes to soften. Then drain, saving about 2 tablespoon of the soak water for later.
- Into the food processor add ½ cup desiccated coconut, ground almonds, pitted dates, cacao powder and the soak water you saved. Mix for a couple of minutes until it all comes together and is completely smooth.
- To make the energy balls, you'll need to use a teaspoon and your hands for rolling. But first, spread the remaining ¼ cup of desiccated coconut onto a large plate. Dip your teaspoon into the food processor and take out a heaped teaspoons worth of mixture. Now roll the mixture into a ball with your hands. It's all pretty delicate and squidgy in texture at this point.
- Set down the rolled balls onto the plate and roll them over the dessicated coconut to cover. You should be able to make about 18-20 little balls. Store them in a sealed container in the refrigerator, for up to 3 days.
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I’m off to make some tea!
XOXO
Juliette
mum, dog owner, lover of raw food
