Need a little pick-me-up? Some pre or post-workout fuel, or a bite-size sweet treat? These creative and tasty healthy bliss balls (also known as energy balls) are great as a snack and will provide you with the energy, protein and nourishment you need. You will find keto, gluten-free, vegan, high-protein and Paleo bliss balls in this collection.
What Are Bliss Balls?
Bliss balls, also known as energy balls or protein balls, are small, bite-sized snacks made from a mixture of nuts, seeds, and dried fruits, and come in all sorts of flavours and variations to suit your fancy. You can throw in some cacao powder, coconut, or chia seeds to spice things up, or keep it simple with some good ol’ almonds and dates.
Bliss balls are one of my favourite snacks on the go. I love how easy they are to personalise with flavours and ingredients you love and how portable they are once you make a batch. Better yet, they are a no-bake treat so there’s very little effort or wait time involved before you can take a sweet bite and savour the moment.
Benefits Of Bliss Balls
As you might have guessed, bliss or energy balls are energy-dense, meaning they’re often made with ingredients that will give you a burst of energy that is also long-lasting. As well as natural sugars and carbohydrates, these balls will often contain fats and protein to make them satiating. Think dried fruit paired with nut butter and protein powder for a perfect energy ball formula.
Many recipes feature added ingredients and superfood powders, raw cacao, maca, collagen, turmeric, chia seeds, hemp seeds and acai berries to boost nutrition and customise the flavour.
Bliss balls are fantastic, healthy options for so many people who need a little pick-me-up throughout the day – hikers, growing kids, breastfeeding mums, and early morning gym-goers. Let’s not leave out those of us who just like a little something sweet to pick us up in the afternoon!
How To Make Bliss Balls
Making bliss balls is super easy and requires minimal effort. You can keep them very simple with only 3 ingredients or go wild with as many nuts, seeds, nut butter and dried fruit options as you like. Here’s a basic recipe to get you started.
Want to Save This Recipe?
Enter your email & I’ll send it to your inbox. Plus, get great new recipes from me every week!
By submitting this form, you consent to receive emails from Cooked & Loved
Ingredients
- 1 cup almonds or cashews, walnuts, hazelnuts
- 1 cup dried fruit I used 1/2 dates and 1/2 dried apricots
- 1/2 cup seeds I used 1/4 cup pumpkin seeds and 1/4 cup sunflower, you can also add chia seeds, sesame seeds etc
- 1/4 cup nut butter such as almond butter or peanut butter
- 1/4 cup unsweetened shredded coconut optional
- 2 tablespoons cacao powder
- A pinch of salt
- Optional: I like adding vanilla extract
Instructions
- In a food processor or blender, pulse the nuts and seeds until they are finely chopped.
- Add the dried fruit, nut butter, shredded coconut, cacao powder, and salt. Pulse until the mixture comes together and forms a sticky dough.
- Using your hands, roll the mixture into small balls, about 2 tablespoons each. I recommend wearing gloves to avoid the mixture sticking to your hands.
- Optional: Roll the balls in some extra shredded coconut, cacao powder, or crushed nuts to coat.
- Place the bliss balls on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to firm up.
Notes
Nutrition
The Best Healthy Bliss Balls To Try
Whether you’re Paleo, keto, vegan or gluten-free, here are 15 tasty bliss ball recipes, featuring a variety of flavours and ingredients to satisfy any craving.
1. Orange & Cacao Paleo Energy Balls
With four different nuts and seeds, these balls pack a serious nutritional punch. With brazil nuts, you get your daily dose of selenium. Sunflower seeds and pumpkin seeds provide magnesium, iron, B vitamins, and plenty of protein. Almonds bring in that creamy flavour you love, paired with orange zest and antioxidant-rich raw cacao. Finish these off with a fresh dusting of more raw cacao for a chocolate-y treat. Get the recipe on the blog.
2. Lemon Drizzle Paleo Energy Balls
I was inspired to make these by a flavour of Nak’d Bar which is a fantastic raw fruit, nut, and seed bar. Naturally, I decided to take a shot at DIY-ing it, and this flavour is amazing. Zesty with a hint of immune-boosting vitamin C, raw cashews make these extra creamy. I love adding a few drops of lemon essential oils and rolling these in desiccated coconut for an extra boost of healthy fats. Recipe from my blog.
3. Cookie Cough Balls
Who doesn’t love eating raw cookie dough? Guilty! Of course, it’s not necessarily safe or healthy. These bliss balls change the game. Creamy cashews. real vanilla extract, and raw cacao nibs are the main ingredients, replicating the flavour of your favourite recipe for chocolate chip cookies. These ones are for those of you serious about your sweet tooth! Recipe from The Little Green Spoon.
4. Vegan Protein Peanut Butter Bliss Balls
These protein-packed peanut butter bliss balls are melt-in-your-mouth delicious, made with whole foods and feature a surprising, undetectable ingredient (intrigued?). Each ball has 7 grams of protein. These are vegan-friendly and great post-workout. Recipe from Nutritiously.
5. Chocolate Dipped Coconut Almond Bliss Balls
If you want to take things up a notch, this is the recipe for you. We’re not messing around with that chocolate dip! This will truly feel indulgent like biting into a piece of your favourite candy. The inside is a hearty blend of shredded coconut and coconut oil. Garnish with extra coconut and crushed almonds for a bit of added crunch. Recipe from Nyssa’s Kitchen.
6. Nutella Collagen Bliss Balls
Who doesn’t love Nutella? Unfortunately, this “nut butter” is loaded with sugar, oil, and other junk. These bliss balls take that flavour on the all-natural way with almond butter and blended hazelnuts. Plus, these feature a boost of collagen for extra protein and some love for your hair, skin, and nails! Recipe from Amazing Paleo.
7. Cinnamon Roll Bliss Balls
Dreaming of piping hot cinnamon buns? Opt for a longer-lasting energy source with these scrumptious bites, coated in a tasty dusting of cinnamon. Cashews, hazelnuts, and collagen pair up for a superfood boost with plenty of protein and healthy fats to keep you going, even through the most draining days. From The Toasted Pine Nut.
8. Raspberry Coconut Bliss Balls
These pretty little things are full of fresh berry flavour from raspberries, perfect for welcoming the warmer months with a little something that feels like dessert. Frozen raspberries will work just fine, lending their juicy, subtle sweetness and lovely pink colour. Give these a generous coating of coconut and you’re good to go. Recipe from Well Nourished.
9. Blueberry Nuffin Energy Balls
Skip the long cafe lines for your pre-work blueberry muffin. All that flour and sugar isn’t doing your energy levels (or your bank account) any favours! Instead, try these. The combination of nuts, dates, dried blueberries, vanilla, and lemon extract is refreshing, encompassing everything you love about your favourite morning treat… without the massive sugar rush! Recipe from The Healthy Maven.
10. Apple Pie Energy Balls
Nothing says “home” like apple pie. Get a taste of that wherever you are with these paleo bliss balls that’ll transport you right back to your grandma’s kitchen during Thanksgiving dinner. With just four ingredients, this indulgent little bite couldn’t be easier to make! Recipe from Paleo Grubs.
11. Keto Cookie Dough Collagen Protein Balls
In minutes, you can whip together these nutrient-dense, raw, collagen-filled keto protein balls for ANY time you need a quick and satisfying treat! Loaded with healthy fats and collagen, these no-bake keto fat bombs are super addicting. Recipe from Tessa The Domestic Diva.
12. Coffee Caramel Bites
Instant coffee generally isn’t a very ‘fancy’ choice, but for these… it totally is! This is better than your sugar Starbucks caramel macchiato when it comes to nutrition and sustaining energy. For a paleo version, make sure to read the substitutions and use almond flour instead of teff flour, and coat with coconut or sesame seeds instead of teff grain. Recipe from Wholesome Patisserie.
13. Chocolate Mint Energy Balls
Who doesn’t love a bit of peppermint for a naturally energising burst of flavour? Paired with chocolate and coconut, these are seriously addictive but perfectly guilt-free. Use peppermint extract or essential oil for the best results. From Living Well Mom.
14. Pumpkin Spice Snickerdoodle Bliss Balls
Pumpkin spice and snickerdoodle? Yes, please. These are packed with cinnamon, fibrous pumpkin puree, vitamin E-rich walnuts, and pumpkin spice. You can enjoy these year-round. Give them a good coating of cinnamon sugar for the best results. Recipe from My Modern Cookery.
15. Matcha Pistachio Bliss Balls
Going green? I think so! Pistachios and matcha come together for a delightfully grassy and earthy bliss ball in this recipe. The matcha powder is the perfect addition to an energy ball because of its natural caffeine content, lending you a slow and steady burst of mental clarity that won’t leave you crashing later. Recipe from Downshiftology.
16. No-Food Processor Protein Balls
These healthy no food processor protein balls just require a mixing bowl. So easy to make, the recipe is gluten-free and can easily be made dairy free and vegan. Just choose a plant-based protein powder and a vegan sweetener! Recipe from Nourish Every Day.
Boost your energy and curb your sweet tooth all at once! I hope you loved the variety of flavours and possibilities with these energy bliss ball recipes. Indulge wisely!
My family loved this. Make weekly now
Hey Irena,
Love the recipes! Escpecially the Matcha Bliss Balls
We’d love to send you some of our matcha to try!
Regards,
Jared – Matcha Me
I love making energy balls and bars so I have healthy snacks on hand and these all look so good, I don’t even know where to start!
I was just thinking to make them this week and you read my mind !! Awesome !
So many balls!!!! Lovely round up of all the balls. Okay, my inner teenager can’t stop giggling, but I know these are all delsih!
YUM! I needed some new energy ball inspo. Thank you!!
These all look so delicious! Can’t wait to try!
These all look so amazing! Where to start?
Those chocolate dipped ones and the cinnamon roll balls are calling my name right now. So many fun ideas and flavors!
All these energy balls look incredible! So many yummy choices.
These all look so good and I love all the different flavor combos!
I am a big fan of energy balls…they are quick, easy, and nutrient dense! Even better, the flavor combos are endless, love these ideas!
Yum! I love these 1-2 bite snacks to hold me over in between meals. Such great ideas on this page!
Going to make those cookie dough bites for the girls lunchbox this week! Thanks!
Aw, such a fun collection! The variety is inspiring!