Healthy Apricot Balls without condensed milk are soft, sweet and bursting with flavor. Made with only five simple ingredients, they are a perfect pick me up snack when you need a delicious and healthy treat. They are vegan, gluten-free and refined sugar free.
I’m a true believer in eating something sweet every day. Having a healthy sweet treat with tea or coffee is my mini ritual that I will not give up because a) I’m a sweet tooth, b) life is too short and, c) sweets don’t have to be bad for you.
There are so many delicious AND nutritious options that will make your coffee break more indulgent but guilt-free.
Bliss balls are a favorite of mine, especially these heavenly Healthy Apricot Balls made with dried apricots, cashews, toasted coconut. Toasting the coconut is a small step that you may be tempted to skip but I highly recommend giving it a try. It is super easy and it's a true game changer that gives these balls an unexpected depth of flavor.
For more protein ball ideas try these Chocolate Bliss Balls or these Peanut Butter Bliss Balls, too!
What are bliss balls?
Bliss balls are a perfect nutrient-packed snack made with whole ingredients. If you’re familiar with energy balls, energy bites or protein balls, bliss balls are pretty much the same thing. They are made with healthy and whole ingredients, they take 5 minutes to prepare and you can make them in a million different ways!
My apricot bliss balls are made with only 5 simple ingredients. No gluten, no dairy, no sweetened condensed milk. Only real, wholesome food blended into perfect nutritious balls.
Make sure to also check out my popular paleo Chocolate Bliss Balls and Peanut Butter Bliss Balls.
Ingredient notes
- Dried Apricots: packed with fiber and nutrients, they naturally sweeten the bliss balls.
- Raw Cashews: I like to use them in energy balls because of their mild and neutral flavor and creamy texture. Cashews are rich in protein and healthy fats.
- Shredded Coconut: use unsweetened shredded coconut. Look for it near the natural foods section or in the baking aisle at grocery stores.
- Hemp Seeds: to add extra protein and omega-3 fats to the bliss balls.
- Vanilla Extract: use real vanilla extract for best results.
How to make healthy apricot balls without condensed milk
STEP 1: Toast the coconut for a couple minutes in an empty skillet until evenly browned. Stir or toss it as you go. Let the coconut cool.
STEP 2: Place dried apricots, cashews, cooled toasted coconut, hemp seeds and vanilla in the bowl of a food processor. Pulse 10 or more times until the mixture resembles coarse sand, then process until thick and sticky dough forms.
STEP 3: Using a small cookie scoop or a spoon, divide the mixture into 10-12 scoops. Roll into balls, place in an airtight container and chill in the fridge for at least 1 hour.
Recipe FAQs
You can store these bliss balls in an airtight container for up to two weeks.
Yes! Most bliss balls can be stored for up to 3 months in the freezer. When ready to serve, you can either let them thaw a bit before eating or enjoy them frozen. They’re delicious either way!
Yes! Dried apricots are rich in vitamins, antioxidants, minerals and fiber. A cup of dried apricots provides 94% of your body’s daily need of Vitamin A. They are also high in potassium and calcium but low in fat and sodium. You can learn more about apricots and their nutritional value in this article.
Unfortunately, no. Nuts and coconut are quite hard to process and a stick blender is better suited for soft textures, such as soups, sauces or salad dressings. I would recommend investing in a good food processor such as this one from Cuisinart. If all you have is an electric mini chopper, that may work, too, though it may require a little more effort to achieve the right consistency.
Hemp seeds, also known as hemp hearts, are the seeds of the hemp plant. They are exceptionally nutritious and a great source of healthy fats, protein and other minerals. Try them sprinkled on top of yogurt, salads, oatmeal or in smoothies. I like adding them to bliss balls for a healthy, plant-based protein boost.
More healthy sweet snacks
- Peanut Butter Bliss Balls
- Chocolate Banana Oatmeal Cookies
- Almond Butter Rice Crispy Cups
- Flourless Peanut Butter Banana Cookies
- Strawberry Oatmeal Muffins
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Recipe
Healthy Apricot Bliss Balls
Ingredients
- ½ cup dried apricots about 12
- ½ cup raw unsalted cashews
- ¼ cup unsweetened shredded coconut
- 1 tablespoon hemp seeds
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Toast the coconut. Place the unsweetened shredded coconut in a small dry skillet and toast on low medium heat stirring or tossing for a couple minutes until golden brown and evenly toasted. Let the coconut cool.
- Place apricots, cashews, toasted coconut, hemp seeds and vanilla extract in the bowl of a food processor and blend until sticky dough forms.
- Divide the apricot mixture into 10-12 parts and roll into walnut-sized balls.
Notes
Nutrition
More healthy snacks
Meet the Author
Hi, I'm Agnieszka. I'm a mom of three and recipe developer, writer and photographer behind Wholly Tasteful. I love creating comforting, delicious, family-friendly recipes that you can feel good about.
Jerika says
Upon reading this recipe I already want to prepare one myself.:) This recipe complements my coffee or my tea. You're right it's a healthy snack especially if you're a sweet tooth. ( I am) lol. Thanks for this awesome recipe.:)
Anaiah says
Wow, these apricot bliss balls were a great idea! It turned out amazing. Each bite was so flavorful! I love how it is a sweet treat that only has a minimal ingredients.
Natalie says
They look delicious. Delicate and super sweet. I will definitely give them a try.
amanda says
This ball are so good, love the apricot flavor!
Andrea White says
Yummy! These are so delicious!
Jeri says
No wonder these are called bliss balls; they are so delicious! Dried apricots and cashews are two of my favorite snacks, so to combine them with toasted coconut was heavenly! I am going to make a bigger batch next time and keep them in the freezer!
Addie says
The perfect little bite!
Mia says
Better than a lara bar! I bought cashews for the first time just to make these balls. It's amazing how much rich and creamy flavor the cashews bring to this recipe. This is my new post-workout snack.