Apricot Bliss Balls are the perfect 10-minute treat. They are naturally sweet, delicious, and a great snack, breakfast, or dessert! You don't even have to turn on your oven to make them! If you're needing a quick and healthy snack that you can just grab and go, this is it! Use up your apricots in a new and delicious way.
I'm all about these apricot energy balls. They're perfectly sweetened with an excellent chew - and the kids actually like them as well! What more could you want out of a simple and easy snack?
All you have to have is a food processor to make these beauties. The shredded coconut adds a great texture to pair with the softness and chewiness of the rest of the treat.
While you can make these to snack on at home, they're also great for the kids to pack in their school lunch or to have them waiting for them as an afterschool snack.
Be sure to check out my Keto Protein Balls and Peanut Butter Bliss Balls for other great snack recipes.
Ingredients
Dried apricots - These are great to have around the house as a quick snack. Just make sure to find dried apricots that don't have sugar added.
Hemp hearts or oats - Use whatever you'd like. I like the texture of hemp hearts as it tends to give a chewier texture with lower carbs.
Shredded coconut - I like to use unshredded shredded coconut because it doesn't have any added sugar in them, but sweetened coconut would be fine if you aren't concerned about added sugar.
Almond butter - You can use peanut butter if you'd like or any nut butter. Macadamia nut butter is especially delicious.
Sweetener - Just a little bit of sweetener is all you need, as the apricots add quite a bit of natural sweetener.
Coconut oil - You could also use avocado oil as well.
How to make Apricot Bliss Balls
Making these delicious bliss balls is a fast and easy process. You'll be snacking in no time at all.
Step One: Add all the ingredients into the food processor and pulse until mixed well. It will be sticky at this point. That's good!
Step Two: Form the mixture into balls and place them on parchment paper.
Step Three: Serve and enjoy!
The great thing about making these apricot balls is that they're literally ready to eat once you make them! It's easiest to form balls if you chill the mixture a bit first but you don't have to.
Variations
Homemade almond butter - You can make your own almond butter by processing whole almonds, almond meal, or ground almonds until it turns into nut butter. Then just add the rest of the ingredients to the food processor.
Add orange zest - If you want to add a bit of orange zest to your apricot bliss balls, do so! You can also add a tiny bit of orange juice as well. You can always alter and add more or less the next time.
Crush up raw cashews - For a bit more texture, you can toss a handful of cashews into the food processor. I would add them at the end so that they don't get blended up all the way and become a paste.
Add maple syrup - For some natural sweetness, adding maple syrup is delicious. It will make sticky dough though, so just be prepared. You can reduce the amount of almond butter in the apricot bliss bars to account for the added liquid.
Pour in a splash of vanilla extract - For a hint of vanilla flavoring, add a little bit of vanilla. This is a great substitute because it easily adds great taste.
Chia seeds - Add in some chia seeds for extra protein.
Protein powder - Protein powder can make the bliss bars dry so make sure to add a little extra nut butter if they are too crumbly to form into balls.
Nut free - Swap out the almond butter for sunflower seed butter.
Chocolate - Craving chocolate? Try this chocolate bliss balls recipe.
Common Questions
How do I store energy bites?
To keep them fresh and delicious, be sure to store them in an airtight container. You don't have to store them in the fridge, although I think that they have a bit better texture when they're chilled.
Can I freeze apricot bliss balls?
If you want to place them in the freezer, go for it. My trick to keeping them fresh is to wrap them in saran wrap and then store them in a plastic bag.
To thaw them quickly, just set them out at room temperature for about 10 minutes or move them to the fridge to start the thawing process. It should only take a few minutes for them to be soft and chewy.
Are these gluten-free and vegan?
Yes, they are! If you're using rolled oats, make sure to pay attention to the type of oats and that they're certified gluten free. Just don't add any type of dairy to this gluten free balls, and you'll be all set!
Why are they called energy balls?
This is because the ingredients in them give a ton of excellent energy. There are fiber, vitamins, and healthy nutrients that can help you kickstart the day while also fueling your body for what it needs.
📖 Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup dried apricots
- 1 cup hemp hearts or oats
- 1 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
- ½ cup almond butter
- ½ cup Joy Filled Eats Sweetener (or see alternatives in recipe notes)
- ¼ cup coconut oil melted
Instructions
- Process the ingredients in a food processor until the apricots are very finely chopped and the dough comes together into a ball.
- Chill the dough for an hour or two. Form small balls. Store in the refrigerator.
Kathy O says
I made these with peanut butter as I am allergic to almonds. It was a great way to use up a batch of dried apricots that I had on hand. There are delicious. To pass myself they have to be stored in the freezer. The servings that I put in the fridge were too easy to access and quickly eat.
As a chocoholic - Chocolate Bliss Balls are next.
These are so much better than eating store bought treats - I know what is in them. 🙂
Ali says
Where do you find apricots without added sugar?
Taryn says
Online or a well stocked health food store.
Brandy says
I really enjoyed these apricot bliss balls. They were super tasty. Definitely found myself snacking on them throughout the day! I will be making again!
Renee says
I made these for my mom's birthday this year and she absolutely loved them. Thanks for the great recipe!
Patty in CO says
These sound terrific, but I didn't see anywhere if these are THM S or E or crossover or ? Could you please clarify?
Taryn says
The nutrition facts are in the S range. I think using dried fruit has been debated quite a bit. I don't recall what the official determination is. Personally, I would have 2 as an S snack.
Patty in CO says
Thank you so much....I tend to agree with you on the fruit....I think everything in moderation is the key, at least for me....just made a batch with a little less than a cup of apricots (because that is all had) and a mix of the hemp hearts and oats...and your sweetner (BTW, I love that sweetener recipe) and these are so awesome and a great way to use dried fruit....also so healthy for the kiddos....my grandkids are gonna demolish these! Thank you for all your hard work!
Taryn says
I'm so glad you like them!
Jane johnson says
Would love to rte, but can't. Taryn, why do you frequently list ingredients that are not available in every part of the country? How about posting possible substitutes. Also be mindful of allergies......especially since nuts are a very common allergy. Thanks
Taryn says
Hi Jane, which ingredient is not readily available? I always offer variations and substitutions within the blog post.
Also, I do offer a substitution for nuts within the blog post. Did you read the entire post? I think your questions were addressed.