If you're into vegan, grain-free, raw, sugar-free, or gluten-free baking and blogging, you've by now noticed the plethora of different bite/ball recipes proliferating on the internet. And it is so NOT just a bunch of people jumping on the bandwagon. Oh. My. Gosh. They are so fun, so easy, and so delish. Infinite options and countless variations to choose from. You can customize and adapt these to your own particular tastes and cravings. Most of these recipes rely on two basic ingredients, some kind of dried fruit (usually dates, apricots, or figs) and nuts (cashew, peanut, walnut, pecan, almond, etc). Usually these will keep just fine for about a week on the counter or in the fridge.
When there are no instructions listed, that means just throw everything in the processor and blend away! Also- wherever it says "dates" I am talking about dried, pitted dates. A great resource for tons of ball/bite recipes is CCK's Fudge Babies page- check it out!!! Additionally, I have found great ideas at Diet Dessert and Dogs, Custom Fit, and Daily Bites. Or, just think of your favorite dessert and try to deconstruct it to it's most basic ingredients, then start playing around with the proportions of flavorings, nuts, and dried fruit! If you like Larabars, you'll be happy to know that many of these recipes were inspired by different Larabar flavors. Feel free to add in salt and/or vanilla extract where you see fit. You do not need sweeteners with these as they are already quite sweet due to the fruit.
Cashew Coconut Balls
3/4 cup cashews
1 1/3 cup dates
1/2 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
drop of vanilla
pinch of salt
Chocolate Peanut Butter Balls
1/4 cup peanuts
2/3 cup dates (or I have done this with raisins!)
2-3T cocoa powder depending on how dark you want 'em!
Nutella Balls
1/4 cup hazelnuts (toasted!)
2/3 cup dates
2-3T cocoa powder, or try adding in some homemade nutella too!
Apricot Balls
1 cup cashews
1 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
1 cup dried apricot
Cherry Balls
1 cup almonds
1 cup dried cherries
1/8th tsp vanilla
Nut-free Chocolate Chip Coconut Balls
1/2 cup dates
2T unsweetened shredded coconut
pinch of salt
drop of vanilla
2T dark chocolate chips/shavings, or try cocoa powder
Cinnamon Buns
1/4 cup cashews
1/4 cup almonds
1/4 cup walnuts
10 dates
2T raisins
1/2-1 teaspoon cinnamon
Banana Bread Bites
1 cup almonds
10 dates
half banana
sprinkle of cinnamon
Pecan Pie Balls
1 cup pecans
1 1/2 cup dates
dash of cinnamon
1/8 tsp vanilla
Cookie Dough Bites
1/2 cup cashews
2/3 cup dates
1/4 cup dark chocolate chips/shavings
pinch of salt
Cranberry Balls
1/2 cup walnuts
12 dates
1/4 cup dried cranberries
Double Chocolate Brownie Balls
1/4 cup walnuts
1/4 cup almonds
2/3 cup dates
3 tablespoons cocoa
3 tablespoons dark chocolate chips/shavings
pinch of salt
