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Coconut Apricot Energy Balls are a deliciously chewy way to satisfy your sweet tooth. And they’ll give you the energy to fuel you through a busy, active day or the afternoon slump. These easy, healthy no-bake snacks have just 6 ingredients and take only a few minutes to make. Energy bites, protein balls, whatever you call them, these portable, poppable little snacks are the perfect thing to keep on hand, especially since they are an allergy-friendly snack that’s gluten free, nut free, and dairy free.
Coconut Apricot Energy Balls
It’s funny how your tastes change throughout your life. As a kid, I wanted no part of anything coconut. My mom used to make Magic Bars, and I made her make mine special without coconut. Now you’ll find me putting coconut in everything from Almond Joy Cookies to Pineapple Coconut Granola.
Anf these no-bake energy balls. While they are made with a base of dates and dried apricots. Those just provide the chewy bite and fruity sweetness that allows the topical coconut flavor to really pop.
They are quick and easy to make, packed with nutritious ingredients (only 6!), and they can be assembled in practically no time without even needing to turn on an oven or a stove. Plus they are convenient to grab on the way out the door or pack in lunchboxes! Perfect for allergy-safe schools and camps, these have no nuts, peanuts, gluten, dairy, or eggs!
You can just form the balls and pop them in your mouth right away. But I love the little bit of texture and the adorable look of the balls when they are rolled in some extra shredded coconut. They kind of look like donut holes even though you know that they are actually nutritious snacks.
Ingredients
- Dried pitted dates
- Dried apricots
- Unsweetened shredded coconut
- Pepitas (raw pumpkin seeds)
- Chia seeds
- Dried ground ginger
Equipment
I typically use my food processor. However, a high-powered blender such as a Blendtec with the Twister Jar is a great option because that jar has a lid with built-in blades for scraping down the sides. If you haven’t gotten your hands on a Blendtec yet, you can check them all out and use my Blendtec Ambassador code CUPCAKESANDKALECHIPS for 25% off, plus I earn a small commission on any purchases.
Directions
- Add all of the ingredients to your food processor or blender and process into a thick paste. Stop the machine and scrape down the sides as needed.
- Using about a tablespoon at a time, roll the mixture into balls. You can roll the balls in additional shredded coconut if desired.
Tips for Success
Choosing the coconut
You can use the bags of sweetened coconut you find in the baking section of the grocery store, but this adds quite a bit of extra sugar.
Gluten free energy balls
While all of the ingredients in this recipe are naturally gluten free, if you are highly sensitive please do read the labels. Occasionally some seeds or dried fruits are processed on shared equipment or in the same facility where cross-contamination can be a risk.
Make ahead and storage
- Since these are made entirely with dried fruit, they can be kept in an airtight container at room temperature for several days to a week.
- You can make a bunch and keep them in the refrigerator for a couple of weeks.
- Or store them in the freezer even longer. Make a double batch! They will keep for several months in an airtight container or plastic freezer storage bags. Take them out the night before you plan to pack them in a lunchbox or eat them
Once you know the basic technique, you can make them with an endless variety of flavor combinations. Some of our favorites are:
- Cinnamon Apple Energy Balls
- Banana Chocolate Peanut Butter Energy Balls
- Cranberry Energy Balls
- Banana Chocolate Chunk Energy Balls
- Skinny Strawberry Shortcake Bites from House of Yumm
- Dark Chocolate Coconut Almond Energy Bites from Joyful Healthy Eats
- Chocolate Brownie Energy Bites from The Lemon Bowl
- Plus all of my energy ball recipes!!
More no-bake snacks you’ll love
- DIY Banana Snacks for Kids – totally customizable with whatever you like or have on hand.
- No-Bake Coconut Cookies – you won’t believe this sweet treat is made with healthy ingredients.
- Apricot Chia No-Bake Energy Bars – these easy snack bars are totally allergy safe.
- Strawberry Banana Coconut Smoothie – a fresh and fruity, dairy free treat.
Apricot Coconut Energy Balls
Ingredients
- 1 cup pitted dates
- 1 cup dried apricots
- 2 Tablespoons chia seeds
- 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/2 cup pepitas pumpkin seeds
- 1/2 cup unsweetened shredded coconut plus additional for rolling, if desired
Instructions
- Combine all of the ingredients in a food processor and pulse until it forms a thick paste, scraping down the sides as necessary.
- Using about a tablespoon of the mixture, roll into balls. If desired, roll balls in additional coconut.
Did you make this?
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I workout after work, these would be great to help out with a little snack beforehand!
Bleu cheese. My mother would lap it up, both in dressing and crumbled form, and I thought it was disgusting – but now I can’t get enough! These look fantastic, and could probably fool my toddler into thinking they were donut holes! Thanks for sharing at Merry Monday! Pinned and shared!
Oh my gosh, I am a blue cheese convert too! I thought they looked like the coconut Munchkins!
I love this recipe! I’m always looking for good energy snacks as alternatives to store bought energy bars that tend to contain not-so-great ingredients. My blog focuses on simple ways to be healthy, and this recipe fits the bill!
We love energy balls and bars for healthy snacks. Thanks!
Yum these look great! And sounds like a great flavor combination! I’ll have to try these soon!
It’s been one of my favorite flavor combos!
Hi Brianne, these sound fantastic. I just discovered while cleaning out my fridge that I have a bit of a pumpkin seed stash and need to start making things with pumpkin seeds, so these fit perfectly. Thanks for sharing. Pinning to make this weekend.
Lynn
Haha, I sometimes find random nut and seed stashes, which is sometimes how I come up with my recipes! Enjoy!
Healthy sweet recipe, looks tasty. Thanks Brianne for sharing post 🙂
Gotta love a healthy way to satisfy the sweet tooth! Thanks!