A longtime favorite with a five-star rating from my readers, these gluten-free coconut bliss balls are sweet, nutty, crunchy, chewy, and so easy to make! I’ve updated the original recipe, making these coconut bliss balls even better than before. Gluten-free, dairy-free, and naturally sweetened, they’re one of my go-to meal prep options for grab-and-go breakfasts or a healthy snack!
What are Bliss Balls?
I first started making bliss balls back in 2011 when my husband and I were living in New Zealand. Over there, everyone seemed to call them bliss balls, though here in the U.S. they’re more commonly known as no-bake energy bites or power balls.
Traditionally, bliss balls are made with a combination of dried fruit, nuts, coconut, and sometimes chocolate or other mix-ins. Over the years, I’ve come up with countless variations using random ingredients in my pantry such as sunflower seed butter, almond butter, cranberries, raisins, dried cherries, cacao powder, and chia seeds. Some favorites include my chocolate pistachio protein balls, cinnamon breakfast bites, and no-bake oatmeal energy bites. Think of them as a portable trail mix rolled into a bite-sized snack.
Lately, I’ve been making them again while stocking my freezer and snack stash for maternity leave, along with other snacks like my soft baked Paleo bars and coconut almond protein bars.
They’re packed with nourishing ingredients, easy to prep ahead, and perfect for busy seasons when you need a quick bite that will actually keep you going. They’ve also become a favorite to grab post-run or pack for flights. Sometimes the simplest recipes are the ones that stick around for years.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Please be sure to scroll down to the recipe card below for the complete details!
- Shredded Unsweetened Coconut – This forms the base of the balls, adding texture and a distinct coconut flavor.
- Dates – Medjool dates are my favorite, but any kind will work. Just make sure they’re pitted before you begin! These help sweeten the balls and create a sticky consistency, acting as a “glue,” helping them hold their shape.
- Whole Nuts – I typically use almonds, but whole or halved cashews also work, creating a slightly richer taste. Pecans or walnuts would also work, creating a slightly different taste.
- Flavor Enhancers – Cinnamon adds warmth and depth to the balls. Then, vanilla extract adds subtle vanilla notes and enhances the flavor of the rest of the ingredients.
- Gluten-Free Oat Flour – Use homemade oat flour or store-bought. Or, swap it for your favorite vanilla protein powder to give the batter a boost of protein.
- Maple Syrup – A natural sweetener, this contributes to the sticky consistency, helping the balls hold their shape. Honey works well, too, if you don’t need to keep the recipe vegan.
How to Make Coconut Bliss Balls
- Blend the base. Add shredded coconut, dates, nuts, and cinnamon to a food processor, and pulse until a crumbly, slightly mealy texture forms. The ingredients should begin to stick together at this point.
- Mix the dough. Transfer the date mixture to a bowl, and add the remaining dry ingredients, mixing until a soft dough forms.
Pro-Tip: If the mixture feels too sticky, add an additional 1 tablespoon of flour or protein powder. If it feels too dry, add 1-2 more tablespoons of maple syrup. You’re looking for a dough that is soft, easy to roll, and holds together without being crumbly!
- Portion. Roll the dough into balls. I like to use a small cookie scoop for equal portions and to keep my hands clean.
- Coat in coconut (optional). Roll the balls in toasted or plain shredded coconut, if desired. It adds extra flavor and crunch!
- Chill. Arrange the balls in a single layer on a tray or plate, and chill them in the fridge until they’re firm and hold their shape. Enjoy!
Recipe Tips + Tricks
- Make a double batch. This recipe doubles easily. Simply double all ingredients, using about 1½ to 2 teaspoons of vanilla (instead of a full 2 teaspoons). Start with 4 tablespoons of oat flour or protein powder, then add more as needed until the mixture holds together and isn’t too sticky.
- Soak the dates. If your dates are soft and sticky, use them as-is. If they feel firm or dry, soak them in hot water for 10-30 minutes to soften, then drain well before using.
- Help the coconut coating stick. If your coconut isn’t sticking to the balls, lightly dampen your hands with a bit of maple syrup or coconut oil before rolling. This helps the coconut cling without making them overly sticky.
- Use toasted coconut. For a lighter, nuttier (and less intense coconut taste), toast extra shredded coconut in a dry skillet over medium-low heat until lightly golden. Let it cool before rolling the balls.
More of Our Favorite
No-Bake Gluten-Free Treats
Gluten-Free Coconut Bliss Ball Recipe
- Total Time: 30–40 minutes
- Yield: 14 balls 1x
- Diet: Dairy-Free, Gluten-Free, Paleo, Vegan, Vegetarian
Description
Coconut Bliss balls are a sweet and salty snack ball made with coconut, dates, cashews, cinnamon and more! Paleo and vegan-friendly, they’re crunchy, chewy, and and naturally sweetened. The perfect bite size healthy treat.
Ingredients
- ½ cup loosely packed shredded unsweetened coconut. (40-42 grams) + extra for coating if desired. See notes for toasted option.
- ½ cup packed dates (about 90 g; ~10-12 regular dates or 6-8 Medjool), pitted. See note.
- ½ to ⅔ cup whole almonds, whole cashews, or halved cashews (80 grams is a little over half a cup of almonds and ⅔ cup of cashews)
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 2–3 tablespoons Gluten-free oat flour or vanilla protein powder (about 15–18 g)
- 1–2 tablespoons maple syrup or honey (as needed)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
Nutrition estimates will vary based on the type of nuts, dates, and protein powder used, as well as the final size of each bliss ball.
Instructions
- Blend the base. Add ½ cup shredded coconut, the dates, nuts, and cinnamon to a food processor. Pulse until a crumbly, slightly “mealy” mixture forms and starts to stick together.
- Mix the dough.. Transfer the mixture to a bowl. Add vanilla, and 2 tablespoons oat flour or protein powder Mix until a soft dough forms that holds together when pressed.
- Adjust the texture (important): If the mixture feels too sticky, add an additional 1 tablespoon of flour or protein powder. If it feels too dry, add 1–2 more tablespoons of maple syrup. You’re looking for a dough that is soft, easy to roll, and holds together without being crumbly.
- Note: If you didn’t soak the dates beforehand and the batter is still dry, you may need to add 1–2 teaspoons of water to help the mixture come together smoothly.
- Roll into balls. Scoop and roll into small, golf ball–size bites. Place on a tray or plate.
- Optional coating. Place the ¼ cup toasted or regular shredded coconut in a bowl. Roll each ball in the coconut until evenly coated.
- Transfer back to the tray and chill/refrigerate for 20–30 minutes, or until firm.
- Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks, or freeze for up to 6 weeks.
Notes
Substitutions + Tips
- Double batch: This recipe doubles easily. Simply double all ingredients, using about 1½ to 2 teaspoon vanilla (instead of a full 2 tsp). Start with 4 tablespoon oat flour or protein powder, then add more as needed until the mixture holds together and isn’t too sticky.
- Dates: If your dates are soft and sticky, use them as-is. If they feel firm or dry, soak in hot water for 10–30 minutes, then drain well before using.
- Coating in coconut: If your coconut isn’t sticking to the balls, lightly dampen your hands with a bit of maple syrup or coconut oil before rolling. This helps the coconut cling without making them overly sticky.
Toasted Coconut Option – For a lighter, nutty flavor (and less intense coconut taste), toast extra shredded coconut in a dry skillet over medium-low heat until lightly golden. Let cool before rolling. Note: Toasted coconut is drier, so you may need to lightly dampen your hands with maple syrup or coconut oil to help it stick.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Chill Time: 20–30 minutes
- Cook Time: n/a
- Category: Bliss Balls, Energy Bites, Gluten-Free Snack, Healthy Snack, No-Bake Snack, Protein Bites
- Method: blend, mix, no bake
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 Bliss Ball
- Calories: 75
- Sugar: 4.4g
- Sodium: 8mg
- Fat: 4.6g
- Saturated Fat: 1.9g
- Carbohydrates: 6.8g
- Fiber: 1.5g
- Protein: 2.6g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
Yummy! We loved these!
Instead of calling the mixture a batter, I think coarse paste is closer. Love love love these…part of my daily deal.
Oh I’m glad you liked it! Haha course paste is probably more accurate. 🙂
Happy New Year Lindsay! Cheers to another wonderful year with your blog! 🙂 These coconut bliss balls look to die for! I’m seriously craving them right now!
Thank you so much cassie! Happy new year to you too!
These sounds so good; and I can’t wait to hear how the transition goes to a new place. <3 Merry Christmas Lindsay!
thank you friend! Merry Christmas
HI! I am about to make this recipe for the “Toasted Coconut Bliss Balls,” and I have a question. You list coconut flour as an ingredient in the recipe, but in the mixing instructions, you never mention it. Do I need it, and where do I use it?
Ugh, so sorry. My plugin has been acting up. I will fix that. yes, add it after you place in bowl. Post food processor. You might not need as much. I just added a little a time to hold together and create better consistency. Does that make sense?
Just made the recipe, and it turned out well. I used mostly cashews, but included some pecans and Brazil nuts as well. The dates were very fresh, so I didn’t need any flour to hold the mixture together. So glad to have a small Christmas treat for my vegan friend!
yay! so glad! Merry Christmas!
I love coconut, but I especially love toasted coconut and this salty sweet combination sounds INCREDIBLE! <3
me too! obsessed now!
I love this salty-and-sweet combo! They would be a great substitute for the Christmas cookies that keep making their way into my mouth! 🙂
haha those sneaky cookies. Shame on them
I feel like balls are necessary for change. And you, my friend, have balls. 😉
Question – have you ever tried prunes in place of dates? Maybe if I added a little more flour (because moist – HA)? I have a TON I need to use…
haha you said moist. LOL! kidding. yes, go for it! it works well
LOVE!!!! Bliss balls are balling awesome!!! 🙂 I need them!!!!
Good luck with all the move stuff Lindsay! Sound exciting on that you found a place by the mountains. Is it a house?
Yes! Finally! it’s a bit outside SLC but near husbands work and affordable. A town house. Now we just need a car. LOL! and move. UGH!
HUGS!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Cannot wait to make these! My favorite flavors. Reading through the recipe….how much maple syrup & vanilla? You didn’t list them in the ingredients.
Merry Christmas!
Very blissful! Such a perfect flavor!
thanks friend
You’ve outdone yourself these look amazing! I’m going to try to whip some up next week and maybe take them to my barre class!
that’s a perfect idea! Bliss for bar! hehe
I think the most shocking thing about this post (other than how beautiful these coconut bliss balls are) is that the new year is in TEN DAYS?!?! What?! Where did the time go!? <— I know everybody says that, but seriously. :O
For reals! 2017?!! should we have flying cars by now. Ugh… waiting on that. LOL!
Toasted coconut sounds so warm and inviting! I wish I were coming to your house for the holidays!
me too friend!
Bliss ball sounds so dirty, lol. I hope you have plenty of these packed for the big move! And toasted coconut? Always a good idea. 😀
Lol! I didn’t think they sounded dirty but now you have me wondering haha