Coconut Balls Recipe (Tropical!)

Coconut Balls Recipe

Here’s to the important things I need to do today. Step 1: Make THIS RECIPE. Hi, all! Today’s no bake treat is an Indian-flavours-inspired Mango Coconut Balls Recipe. Cashews, mango and coconut recipes cocoare staples in Indian culture (big coconut lover over here!), especially in desserts (hello, mango lassi, cashews in kheer or burfi, coconut chutney and more)! These little snack balls are packed with energy and flavour, using dried mango, shredded coconut, cashews, dates and coconut flour. I love the unique flavour of coconut flour here – although it doesn’t work well in every recipe, it’s perfect for adding a coconut flavour here.

The dates and dried mango act as liquid binders, versus adding a liquid sweetener like agave. The dry ingredients are there to balance these out and create a moist and shapeable dough. In addition to being easy to make, these also last a long time, so you can make them well in advance and bring them to work, school or as a snack in your work-from-home routine (like me)! This recipe took me a total time of about fifteen minutes, so it’s something I was even able to make on my lunch break while working from home.

Low Waste Bulk Shopping

I love homemade energy balls (as you can see from the many snack ball recipes you’ll find on this website)! Mainly because they’re way healthier, cheaper, have less packaging and you can customize the flavour. Where I live, we have a grocery store known as Bulk Barn. These locations are where you can find baking and cooking supplies in bulk, as well as some niche food items you may not find elsewhere. Every shopping aisle is made up of multiple end of end containers, and each contain a different ingredient. For example, the baking aisle has a chocolate section with multiple colors and flavours of chocolate – think mini semi-sweet chocolate chips, mini dark chocolate chips, white chocolate chips, peanut butter chocolate chips, dark chocolate chunks, unsweetened baker’s chocolate, multi-colored chocolate firms and so much more. It’s a go-to place for any avid baker!

Every couple of months, I end up making a trip around here. Whenever I only need a little bit of one ingredient, I check out the Bulk Barn because I can fill my bag with exactly how much I need (many times, I may only get a few tablespoons of a new spice to try it out, without buying an entire bottle elsewhere which is the best part)! I love the concept because you can also bring your own reusable bags for a low-waste shopping option.

Why You’ll Love This Coconut Balls Recipe

Tropical Flavours: I love the flavours of mango and coconut in the same recipe. Aside from these being two prominent flavours in Indian desserts (and growing up around many mango or coconut related sweets, aka reminding me of my family), the flavours just complement one another so well. Add in cashews for that almost buttery flavour, dates for a caramel-like texture and coconut flour for added nuttiness and binding power, and you’ve got one heck of a tropical flavour in one bite.

Antioxidant-Packed: A cup sugar, unsalted butter, flour? No need to check these off your baking list this time! Did I mention that every ingredient in these small balls of coconut joy is uber good for you?! I don’t need to go through each ingredient on the list to say that these are a great addition to our diets – almost all of them contain some form of nutritious vitamins and minerals. This is also a great pre-workout snack because of the healthy carb content!

Snack Ahead for the Week: These little snack bites are amazing because (a) they’re made with simple ingredients (b) you can make them in advance and pop them in a ziploc bag on the run for a busy work or school day, or leave some in the kitchen for when you feel like snacking, before you reach for an unhealthy sweet treat. Just make a double batch, they’ll be gone before the week ends!

Coconut Balls Recipe Substitutions

Cashews: Substitute in the same amount of almonds, walnuts or pecans. Grind them in a spice grinder before using.

Dried Mango: One of the main flavours in this recipe come from the dried mango! Without adding the mango, the taste will dramatically change.

Shredded Coconut: I used shredded, unsweetened coconut flakes for both the dough and for rolling in. For rolling specifically, I used the long versus shorter type of dessiccated coconut (you can buy very small shredded coconut, versus flaked coconut which is a little longer). I find that the taste of longer flaked coconut is also better and less oily tasting. You can also use sweet coconut flakes instead, but it usually has some type of refined sugar added.

Vanilla Extract: This gives a hint flavour to the dough, but not necessary. You can omit if you don’t have it.

Coconut Balls Recipe Notes

• If your blender is not high-speed, grind the cashews in a spice grinder or in your blender before using. Once they’re powdered, then add them to the food processor or blender with the rest of the ingredients. This ensures you won’t have cashew chunks left over if you add all the ingredients at once!
• Add some lemon zest for a tropical and tangy flavour.
• To change up the tropical fruits, sub part of the dried mango with dried papaya or dried pineapple!
• Pat the dough down into a baking dish to make chewy energy bars instead of balls!
• You can make your own shredded coconut by buying a fresh coconut, cracking it open and shredding the inside!
• Try making toasted coconut instead before rolling the dough in it for an extra coconut flavour!
• Use a dab of refined coconut oil on your hands to shape the dough into balls (it will stick to your hands)! If using virgin or extra-virgin coconut oil (or any other oil with a strong scent), the dough may end up with a weird flavour, so I recommend only refined coconut oil, or another neutral oil such as avocado oil.
• Alternatively, oil a small cookie scoop and use that instead for shaping the dough.
• Keep each layer of balls separated by parchment paper when storing in an airtight container to avoid them sticking to one another.
• Grind up some whole almond pieces (with a mortar & pestle or just into small chunks with one whiz in the spice grinder) to mix into the dough by hand for an added crunch.

Got a Sweet Tooth? More No Bake Easy Recipes!

Chocolate Pecan Granola: Studded with pecan chunks and a rich cocoa flavour, this breakfast chunky granola is a great recipe is made with minimal ingredients!

Matcha Chocolate Bites: This tasty treat has a double layer – one raw chocolate layer, one matcha! Flip it inside out and you have a matcha coconut center, or the other way around makes for a chocolate filled center! Tip: Drizzle some melted chocolate on these for an extra-decadent version.

Key Lime Pie Bites: This no bake recipe is like eating a healthy one-bite key lime pie!

Orange Creamsicle Bites: Throwback to eating orange creamsicles by the poolside as a child. You know, the ones with an orange flavoured coating filled with vanilla ice cream? This is a no bake, healthy version reminiscent of that!

Peanut Butter Fudge Brownie Bites: No Bake Peanut Butter Brownie Bites that are like a healthy one bite brownie made with three ingredients: peanuts, cacao and maple syrup!

Lime Chili Mango

Chocolate Coconut Macaroon Tarts

If you make this delicious Coconut Balls Recipe, leave a comment and star rating! Don’t forget to tag your photos @peanut_palate on Instagram. Enjoy!