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Who doesn’t love bliss balls? I sure do. They’re such a great snack. Especially the ones in this bliss balls recipe, as they’re healthy too.

Store-bought bliss balls can be good, but generally contain ingredients that are less healthy. Why is this bliss balls recipe better? These balls contain vitamins, minerals, protein, healthy fats and fibre. Nutrients that actually nourish your body. The bliss balls in this recipe are also gluten-free, dairy-free, refined sugar-free, and vegan. 

Let’s have a look at the ingredients.

Medjool Dates

Dates are what’s keeping all the ingredients in the bliss balls together and give them a sweet taste. I used Medjool dates in my recipe as they’re soft, large, and have a nice caramel-like taste. You can use regular dates as well. Just soak them in some water for a couple of minutes to soften them.

Dates are a great source of potassium, calcium, magnesium, and vitamin B6. They’ve got a low glycemic index. This means that, although they’re high in natural sugar, they also contain a good amount of fibre. This slows the release of these carbohydrates and doesn’t spike your blood sugar levels through the roof. 

Brazil Nuts

Most bliss balls contain cashews or other less nutritious nuts. When you make your own, you can add nuts that meet your specific nutritional needs. 

I’ve made these bliss balls thyroid supporting, by adding Brazil nuts which are a great source of selenium. Selenium is a nutrient we don’t get enough of in our diets but is super important for thyroid function. The soil in Australia is very depleted of selenium. Eating just 3 Brazil nuts per day makes sure you get enough of this nutrient. 

Besides being essential for thyroid function, selenium is also vital for our immune system and cell growth. So make sure to add some of these nuts in your diet. 

Brazil nuts also contain high concentrations of magnesium, copper, zinc, and are an excellent source of healthy fats and protein.

Walnuts

Another healthy nut you can sneak into your bliss balls without anyone knowing: walnuts. 

Walnuts contain antioxidants that can help fight oxidative damage in your body. They’re high in protein, omega3 and support good brain function. Eating walnuts nourishes the beneficial bacteria that live in your gut. This promotes the health of your gut and may help reduce disease risk. 

Chia Seeds

Don’t be fooled by the size of these teeny-tiny seeds. They’re incredibly nutritious and have even been labeled as a super food! 

Chia seeds are rich in antioxidants, and they provide protein, iron, and calcium. They’re an excellent source of omega3. The omega 3 fatty acids help raise HDL cholesterol, the “good” cholesterol that protects against heart attack and stroke. 

The soluble fibre in chia seeds absorb liquid and expand in your stomach. This makes you feel full longer and won’t get you snacking shortly after.

ABC Butter

A good nut butter will give your bliss balls a nice flavour, add healthy fats, and some extra protein. We need protein in our diets as it’s an important building block of muscles, bones, cartilage, skin, and blood. You also need it to produce hormones and enzymes. And you use it as an energy source too.

I used ABC butter in this recipe, but you can add any nut butter you like. 

So what’s ABC? ABC stands for almonds, Brazil nuts and cashews. They’ve been mixed into a butter and give the bliss balls a nice nutty taste. The reason I chose ABC butter is that it adds a nice variety of nutrients as it contains the three different nuts. 

Make sure to pick a “clean” nut butter with no added ingredients besides the nuts. Definitely no added sugar or anything artificial.

To read more about avoiding hidden sugars in your diet, read this blogpost.

Desiccated Coconut

In this recipe I used some desiccated coconut to add into the balls, but also a bit of extra coconut to roll the balls in. It makes them look nice but adds some extra healthiness too. 

Coconut contains a variety of minerals, like manganese, copper, selenium, phosphorus, potassium, and iron. It is high in fibre and high in medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs), which are a saturated fat. MCT’s are absorbed intact in your small intestine and used by your body to produce energy.

Cacao Powder 

For some extra yumminess, I’ve added some cacao, because… who doesn’t love chocolate?

There are some great health benefits in cacao too. It’s a good source of protein, potassium, and zinc. It also contains fibre, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, copper, and manganese.
Cacao is rich in polyphenols, which have significant health benefits, including reduced inflammation and improved cholesterol levels. 

Bliss Balls Recipe

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Enjoy your guilt-free healthy snacking!