I am constantly trying to come up with healthy-ish after school snacks, especially for seven year old M who has a very sweet tooth. These raw, dairy free, gluten free, vegan Hazelnut and Chocolate Bliss Balls are perfect for a sweet chocolate treat that won’t ‘break the sweet bank’.
Why Bliss Balls? I can only assume because they induce a state of bliss when eaten. These get me through that late afternoon slump when I am desperate to eat something and help to avoid that full pre-dinner blow out!
These hazelnut and chocolate bliss balls also have enough chocolatey taste to satisfy a chocolate craving. Consider these a healthy truffle.
The good thing about Bliss Balls is that they can be varied so easily, don’t fancy hazelnuts, just swap them for almonds…or brazils. I have purposely made these without coconut oil, and they look very pretty rolled in coconut but as much as I love love coconut it doesn’t like me very much so I have to limit it.
I often make my bliss balls with prunes too, but remember they contain a lot of fibre so be careful how many balls you eat at once or you could regret it. I find two hazelnut and chocolate bliss balls are more than enough to satisfy so I’m not sure you could eat more in one go.
Now whilst these little beauties are ‘technically’ considered ‘sugar free’ in sugar free circles it must be remembered that they do still contain a high level of fruit sugar from the dates and the maple syrup. If you don’t mind your hazelnut and chocolate bliss balls being a little crumblier than the ones I have shown in the picture then take out the maple syrup. The recipe will be fine, I find the only benefit of the maple syrup is that it makes the mixture stick together better.
Hazelnut and Chocolate Bliss Balls recipe
Prep time:
Total time:
Serves: 12
- 50g Buckwheat flakes (or already ground Buckwheat flour)
- 60g Hazelnuts
- 100g Dates (or Prunes)
- 2 tbsp Raw Cacao Powder
- 2 tsp Hazelnut Butter
- 1 tsp Vanilla Extract (optional)
- 1 tbsp Maple Syrup (optional)
- 1 tsp Chia seeds
- Using a food processor chop the hazelnuts, you want them to be chopped rather than a fine powder
- Remove the hazelnuts from the food processor and put into a small bowl.
- If using buckwheat flakes rather than already milled put into the food processor and whiz it up until fine and it looks like flour. This will only take a couple of minutes at the most if you have a good sharp blade.
- Add the dates, hazelnut butter, vanilla extract and maple syrup to the food processor and mix until it is quite fine and coming together.
- Tip the mixture into a bowl and add about two thirds of the chopped hazelnuts.
- Using your hands mix well until it is all well combined.
- Divide the mixture into about 12 and roll into balls.
- Add the chia seeds to the remaining hazelnuts and mix and then roll the balls in the mixture to coat.
- Try not to eat all at once.
- Keep the bliss balls in a container in the fridge.
Prunes also taste great, just don't eat all 12 bliss balls at once though as you may regret it!
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I like the sound of anything sugar-free at the moment, and these definitely tick the munchies box. Lovely recipe.
Oh my these look delicious! And healthy too.
I’ve not tried any of these type of balls before because most of the recipes I’ve seen have coconut in which I don’t like, but these sound perfect!
they look amazing! I simply must try it.
thank you so much for sharing
The problem with theses is I know if I made them, I’d eat them all at once. I can’t help myself!! 😀
Look perfect for a healthy snack
I am drooling at the pictures, these little balals look simply delicious.
Oh my goodness what some delicious looking treats. x
Oh yum, these look delicious and healthy too…great recipe!
Thank you. 🙂
OOh if you could throw some of these my way I will be eternally grateful x
Haha, nothing lasts five minutes here, I literally go to cook dinner and it’s gone!
An interesting recipe. A little sweet treat. Do you know how many calories they contain?
I have done a very rough….and it is rough because it varies hugely depending on brands you use but this should be the worst case scenario just over 100 calories each. Eeek! However they are high protein energy givers. It can be reduced significantly by using different brands of Cacao powder. Hope that helps, basically if you’re counting calories move away now… x
these sound really interesting (and look delicious!). I have a real sweet tooth so will have to give them a try!
Thanks, the children love them
Well I can certainly see why you call them ‘bliss balls’. Quite healthy too.
Yes! 🙂
Thank you for sharing this as I’ve been looking for healthy snacks for my daughter’s lunch boxes and this recipe looks so yummy! Pinned for later 🙂
I hope you all like them 🙂
Great healthy snack idea! I have to loose some weight so every healthy but still sweet nibbles are welcome! Lovely recipe 😉
You wouldn’t want to eat all of these but they are a great way to satisfy a craving 😉
oh my goodness i think i a gone to heaven reading these! wow i am always looking for an alternative and these look amazing!
Thanks very much! 😀
these look fab, what a delicious little treat. My husband and children would love these!!
x
http://angelahamilton2014.blogspot.co.uk/
I hope they like them 🙂
They look gorgeous! I am the same trying to keep sugar down a bit. I am constantly nibbling whole almonds and figs or prunes when I get the sweet munchies. Though of course allowing myself some treats… xxxx
Thanks Ali, I hope you like them if you make them. 🙂 X