Healthy Apricot & Coconut Date Balls {GF, Vegan, Refined Sugar Free}

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, 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 1x

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 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

1. 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.
2. 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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