Raw Vegan Cranberry Almond Bliss Balls Recipe

Raw Vegan Cranberry Almond Bliss Balls Recipe

Today we are making a Raw Vegan Cranberry Almond Bliss Balls Recipe! No bake energy bites, made of all wholesome ingredients, gluten and dairy free power balls are some of my favorite healthy snacks and a speciality on this blog – and this is yet another delicious combination that you need just 15 minutes and a blender to create!

The best part is that these cranberry almond energy bites are made of just four ingredients consisting of a handful of dried ingredients using dried fruit and raw nuts: coconut, dates, almond flour and cranberries!

Chocolate bars?! I don’t know her! I’ve converted over to living off of energy bites … just kidding! Yes, chocolate bars are amazing. But sometimes you just want something that’s not a vegan-version-of-popular-chocolate-brands (I see you, recently released vegan Reeses’ Pieces Cups). Sometimes, you want to make a recipe at home that you can feel good about, without any refined sugar. That’s where this great recipe slides into the picture – the perfect snack!

You can eat this sweet treat as an afternoon snack, a pre-workout energy boost with the natural sugar and healthy carbohydrates in here, pack them for a long flight, for meal prep or even add some into a holiday season snack gift box for a friend!

Cranberries & Dates

Let’s talk about the few key simple ingredients in these power balls, starting with cranberries. These little red gems bring a delightful tartness to the party, perfectly balanced by the nutty goodness of almonds. Whether you’re on a raw vegan diet or just looking for a healthy snack, these cranberry bliss balls have got you covered.

Now the dates! This natural sweetener not only is a great snack when you have a sweet cravings, but also brings a delightful texture to our bliss balls and add a hint of caramel-like richness. They’re nature’s candy and an excellent source of fiber, making these treats not only scrumptious but also good for your digestive health. Dates provide the perfect binding for these bliss balls, ensuring that every bite is a burst of wholesome goodness.

Almond & Coconut

Now, onto almond flour, a versatile ingredient that adds a nutty depth to the recipe. Almond flour is the secret behind the satisfying texture and subtle richness of these bites, with their underlying buttery taste. It’s gluten-free and packed with healthy fats and protein, making it a fantastic addition for those following a plant-based or gluten-free diet. Almond flour also helps with balancing the softness of the dates and the chewiness of cranberries. This ingredient is a must-have in your pantry!

Last but not least, let’s dive into the world of coconut. Coconut flakes or desiccated coconut introduce a tropical twist to the mix. Their natural sweetness pairs perfectly with the tartness of cranberries and the earthiness of almonds. They also add a hint of exotic flair! Coconut is not just a flavor booster; it’s a source of healthy fats and offers a touch of paradise in every bite. It’s that one ingredient that brings the whole recipe together, creating an overall harmonius blend of flavors and textures.

Why You’ll Love This Cranberry Almond Bliss Balls Recipe

3-Ingredient, No Bake Bites: If you have some dates, almond flour and dried cranberries on hand, then you can make this easy recipe for energy balls in just 15 minutes! No bake, raw vegan energy bites are the best snacks to make and keep on hand for an easy snack made with nutritious ingredients.

This is especially true if you have a sweet tooth and reach for snacks during the day (please tell me you also open the refrigerator and kitchen cupboards multiple times a day, expecting something new and random to show up in there?!) You just need a blender or food processor to make this no bake snack recipe, and can buy these ingredients in bulk at bulk grocery stores to make it cheaper in the long run.

Substitutions

Almond Flour: If you don’t have almond flour or even almond meal on hand, you can make your own by grinding blanched almonds or even whole almonds. (Although it will show specks of the brown coating in the flour). Take the almonds and add them into a spice grinder or blender until a powder forms. Grinding raw cashews, macadamia nuts, walnuts or pecans can make a own homemade nut flour to use as well.

Medjool Dates: Along with many health benefits (and dates also make great snacks), these help to add a soft texture, to help the dough all stick together, and to add sweetness! This way, there is no other added sweetener in this recipe, like maple syrup. I recommend to use very soft, pitted Medjool dates. These have a natural caramel-like flavor, and it helps the dough become … well, a dough! I love Natural Delights brand of fresh Medjool dates.

Cranberries: Substitute with dried cherries. Look for brands without added sugar in the ingredient list, for a fully refined sugar-free recipe. These add a delicious flavor from the tartness of the berries.

Shredded Coconut: I used shredded, unsweetened coconut flakes for rolling in, using the long versus shorter type of shredded coconut. You can buy very small shredded coconut, versus longer flaked coconut. I find that the taste of longer flaked coconut is also better. However, you can also use sweet coconut flakes instead, which usually has some type of refined sugar added.

Raw Vegan Cranberry Almond Bliss Balls Recipe Notes

• For chocolate lovers, make chocolate bliss balls by pushing in a few mini vegan semisweet chocolate chips into each ball after rolling in coconut! This recipe won’t be all refined sugar-free and using fully natural ingredients in that case. However, you can substitute mini chocolate chips with raw cacao nibs as well, for a healthy “raw” chocolate chip.
• You can make a double batch of these and shape them into granola bars instead of energy bites!
• Add in a drop of vanilla extract if desired, for taste.
• I love to drizzle some sunflower seed butter for a nut-free option (for anyone with food allergies, these are super customizable!), or a nut butter like natural peanut butter, almond butter or cashew butter on top of these bites before devouring them in one go!
• Rolling these no bake energy balls in hemp seeds, chia seeds or flax seeds are an easy way to add in more healthy fats!

More Recipes You’ll Love

No Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Bites

Tropical Energy Balls

Chocolate Pumpkin Spice Energy Balls

If you make this Raw Vegan Cranberry Almond Bliss Balls Recipe, then leave a comment and star rating! Don’t forget to tag your photos @peanut_palate on Instagram. Enjoy!