I love it when I can say that a recipe is gluten-free and vegan (with absolutely no added sugar either!) and know that I'm not serving up something boring, tasteless, and generally BLAH. Because these little guys -- the fruity, coconut-flaked ones you see here -- are 100% healthy and anything but boring. Think those coconut-date rolls that you can find at specialty grocery stores and what not, but with dried apricots for a little more flavor dimension and slivered almonds for substance. Perfect snacking material? I think yessss.
Plus, we're talking extreme simplicity right now: 6 ingredients, about 10 minutes to make (MAX) from start to finish, and absolutely no baking involved. Save the baking for things like that cinnamon-swirl chocolate chip banana bread; if you're anything like me, your snacks need to come fast and easy. (Actually, if you're anything like me, your snacks are also inspired by strong mid-day chocolate cravings - like these 3-layer bars, these chocolate coconut balls, and my favorite chocolate peanut butter protein bars) but for once I managed to avoid the chocolate completely. I think maybe I'm growing up? HAH.)
They might not have chocolate, but they are a soft and chewy, sink-your-teeth-in kinda treat loaded with healthy fruits and nuts so you can actually feel good about eating them. If you're really wild (read: extremely grounded and stable with a well-balanced diet - AKA not me), you might even get away with calling these dessert. Orrrrr at least a treat to go with a cup of tea and maybe a square of dark chocolate as well... it's all about the baby steps. ;)
Healthy Apricot & Coconut Date Balls {GF, Vegan, Refined Sugar Free}
Good-for-you energy bites (perfect for snacking!) that are loaded with flavor and only take minutes to make - naturally sweetened with dried apricots, coconut, and dates.
- Yield: 20 date balls
Ingredients
- 7 ⅞ ounces (1 ½ cups) dried apricots (use unsweetened to make this recipe refined sugar free)
- 5 ½ ounces (1 cup) pitted and halved medjool dates
- 3 ½ ounces (1 cup) sliced almonds
- 2 ⅛ ounces (1 cup) unsweetened coconut flakes
- 1 ounce (⅛ cup) water
- ½ teaspoon almond extract
- shredded unsweetened coconut (or fine coconut flakes*), for rolling
Instructions
- In a food processor fitted with the steel blade attachment, process apricots, dates, almonds, and coconut flakes until texture is fine (similar to gravel). Add water and almond extract and pulse in to incorporate. Mixture should be moist enough to clump together.
- Coat a small bowl or plate with shredded coconut or coconut flakes for rolling. Roll "dough" into 1 ounce balls (about the size of a ping pong ball) and roll each in coconut to coat. Transfer to an airtight container and keep refrigerated.
Notes
*I pulsed my coconut flakes to finer pieces in the food processor to use for rolling the date balls.
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THolbrook
These were the favorite out of the 3 energy bites recipes I whipped up today - made as written except added a couple large slices of crystallized ginger. Delicious and held together beautifully. Definitely a repeater!
Alexandra Azary
So glad to hear that! The ginger sounds like a great addition!
Alison Clements
I tried adding glace cherries and chocolate-covered dried blueberries into the mix - they seemed to be an excellent addition. I also put a few drops of lemon juice in but I don't think that was an improvement - it made the taste a little too startling to be honest.
This is a lovely recipe though, and childishly easy.
alexandra
Ooh, the cherries and blueberries sound like an awesome idea! Glad you liked how they turned out! :)
Matthew
Thanks for the great recipe! It’s perfect for the natural apricots I just got from Bella Viva Orchards:
http://www.bellaviva.com/california-natural-dried-apricots
Sandra Rose
These are exquisite. What nice flavor choices that wake up the tastebuds!
alexandra
Thank you! ♡
Ilona @ Ilona's Passion
What a healthy and so delicious apricot balls. So yum!
alexandra
Thanks Ilona!