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    Home » Recipes » All Recipes

    Published: Apr 30, 2015 · Modified: Feb 3, 2022 by Alexandra Azary · This post may contain affiliate links

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

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    Healthy Apricot & Coconut Date Balls - a recipe for natural-sweetened energy bites to curb those random snacking cravings. {Gluten-Free, Vegan} | www.brighteyedbaker.com this recipe

    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.

    Healthy Apricot & Coconut Date Balls - a recipe for natural-sweetened energy bites to curb those random snacking cravings. {Gluten-Free, Vegan} | www.brighteyedbaker.com

    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.)

    Healthy Apricot & Coconut Date Balls - a recipe for natural-sweetened energy bites to curb those random snacking cravings. {Gluten-Free, Vegan} | www.brighteyedbaker.com

    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 - a recipe for natural-sweetened energy bites to curb those random snacking cravings. {Gluten-Free, Vegan} | www.brighteyedbaker.com

    Healthy Apricot & Coconut Date Balls - a recipe for natural-sweetened energy bites to curb those random snacking cravings. {Gluten-Free, Vegan} | www.brighteyedbaker.com

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

    Healthy Apricot & Coconut Date Balls - a recipe for natural-sweetened energy bites to curb those random snacking cravings. {Gluten-Free, Vegan} | www.brighteyedbaker.com
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    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
    • 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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    1. Alison Clements says

      May 23, 2016 at 3:17 pm

      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.

      Reply
      • alexandra says

        May 24, 2016 at 8:33 am

        Ooh, the cherries and blueberries sound like an awesome idea! Glad you liked how they turned out! :)

        Reply
    2. Matthew says

      February 24, 2016 at 10:37 am

      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

      Reply
    3. Sandra Rose says

      May 01, 2015 at 2:19 pm

      These are exquisite. What nice flavor choices that wake up the tastebuds!

      Reply
      • alexandra says

        May 05, 2015 at 3:46 pm

        Thank you! ♡

        Reply
    4. Ilona @ Ilona's Passion says

      April 30, 2015 at 8:02 am

      What a healthy and so delicious apricot balls. So yum!

      Reply
      • alexandra says

        May 05, 2015 at 3:48 pm

        Thanks Ilona!

        Reply

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    Profile photo of Alexandra (Alex) Azary, author of Bright-Eyed Baker.

    Hey There - I'm Alex! Thanks for stopping by! Here's what you can expect to find on Bright-Eyed Baker: lots of baked goods and other sweets made from scratch, plus the occasional coffee recipe, mixed drink, or kitchen how-to post. My goal is to show you that from-scratch baking - gluten-free, dairy-free, or otherwise - doesn't have to be intimidating, no matter how busy life gets. Learn more about me.

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