These apricot balls with cashews, dates, and coconut, are a delicious no-bake treat! They’re super quick and easy to make with wholesome ingredients including, apricots, cashews, coconut, citrus zest, dates, and spices. Gluten-free, paleo, and vegan~they’re perfect for hiking or anytime you need a quick energy boost!

Apricot balls with dates and coconut in a blue polkadot cup.

This post contains affiliate links for products I recommend and personally use. If you purchase a product through these links, I may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you so much for your support!


  • SO EASY TO MAKE! – Once you’ve gathered your ingredients, you can be eating these Apricot Energy Balls in ten minutes. Wow!
  • HEALTHY AND DELICIOUS! – These apricot balls are one of my favorite go-to healthy treats that taste amazing, especially with the spices and citrus zest!
  • PORTABLE INSTANT ENERGY – If you love to hike, like I do, or play sports where you need some mid-game fuel, pack a Stasher bag of these apricot balls for a quick energy boost!

The inspiration behind these apricot balls with dates, cashews, and coconut

Last week, after our ski trip to Revelstoke, I needed groceries for my 2 starving teenagers (LOL!), so I headed to Trader Joe’s to stock up on pantry staples. While I was picking out the trail mix, I saw a bag of Cashew Apricot Date & Nut Bites with Coconut & Citrus and knew I had to try them. It was a total impulse buy. Who can relate???

I tried them on a hike to the top of Cowles Mountain, and not only were they absolutely delicious, but they also gave me the perfect boost of energy my weary body desperately needed.

Four photo collage with pictures of EA Stewart and her dog Kai hiking Cowle's Mountain in San Diego.

After I tried the Trader Joe’s version, I knew I had to experiment with making my own apricot balls with dates, coconuts, and cashews at home, and you know what? I nailed the recipe on my first try!

Ingredients to Make Apricot Balls with Dates, Coconut, & Cashews

This recipe is SO easy to make! Check out the easy ingredient list below. And, be sure not to omit the citrus zest-it adds so much flavor!

Healthy Energy Bites with Dates
  • Cashew Nuts
  • Dried Apricots
  • Unsweetened Shredded Coconut
  • Dates
  • Orange Zest
  • Lemon Zest
  • Cinnamon
  • Ginger
  • Salt

How to Make Apricot Energy Balls with Cashews, Dates, & Coconut

  1. Combine cashew nuts, apricots, coconut, and dates in a food processor bowl and pulse the mixture until crumbly.
  2. Add citrus zest, spices, and salt. Pulse to combine ingredients well. Then process until the mixture starts to stick together and pulls away from the sides of the food processor bowl.
  3. Shape dough into ~ 20 1-inch apricot energy balls and place on a tray or plate lined with parchment paper.
  4. Enjoy right away, store in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, or store in the freezer for up to 1 month.
Apricot balls on white parchment paper

Not only are these Apricot Balls a nourishing snack to pack on a hike, but they’re also a perfect treat in the afternoon with a cup of tea or a healthy after-dinner dessert.

Apricot Energy Balls with Dates, Cashews, and Coconut Nutrition

Apricot Energy Balls Video-See How Easy They Are to Make!

Blue bowl with polkadots filled with apricot energy bites.

Healthy Apricot Balls with Dates, Cashews, and Coconut

These healthy apricot balls with dates are a delicious no bake treat! They're super quick and easy to make with wholesome ingredients including, apricots, cashews, coconut, citrus zest, and spices. Gluten free, paleo, and vegan~they're perfect for hiking or anytime you need a quick energy boost!
4.39 from 31 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes
Servings: 20 balls

Ingredients

  • 2 cups cashew nuts, raw, unsalted
  • 1 cup dried apricots
  • 1/3 cup shredded unsweetened coconut
  • 1/4 cup chopped dates
  • Zest from 1 orange , ~ 1 teaspoon
  • Zest from 1 lemon , ~ 1 teaspoon
  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1/8 teaspoon salt

Instructions

  • Combine cashew nuts, apricots, coconut, and dates in a food processor bowl. Pulse ingredients until mixture is crumbly.
  • Add citrus zest, spices, and salt to mixture. Pulse ingredients to combine well, and process on high speed until mixture starts to stick together.
  • Line a tray with parchment paper. With clean hands, shape mixture into ~ 20 1-inch balls.
  • Store in refrigerator in a sealed container for up to 3 days. Or, store in freezer for up to 3 weeks.

Notes

Recommended products & kitchen tools…

Nutrition

Serving: 1energy bite | Calories: 102kcal | Carbohydrates: 9g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 17mg | Potassium: 181mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 235IU | Vitamin C: 0.2mg | Calcium: 9mg | Iron: 1.1mg
EA Stewart, RD | Registered Dietitian Nutritionist
Course Dessert, Snack
Cuisine American, Gluten Free, Mediterranean, Paleo, Vegan
Keyword energy bites, no bake dessert
Add to Recipe Collection
Did you like this recipe?Please leave a 5-star review and rating letting me know how you liked this recipe! Any questions about the recipe or ingredients? Let me know! Your rating and comments are so appreciated as they help me understand how I can serve you best. Thank you!

Did you make this recipe?

Please leave your comments, and if you loved it, give it a 5-star rating! And please share this post with your friends and family, or take a photo and tag me on Instagram @thespicyrd.Thanks so much for your support!

And don’t forget to sign up for my newsletter, Delicious News, to get new gluten-free recipes, integrative nutrition articles, free meal plans, reader discounts, and more delivered straight to your inbox!

Let’s Chat!

  1. Have you tried the Cashew Apricot Date and Nut Bites from Trader Joe’s?
  2. Where would you hike with these Apricot Balls?
  3. Any yummy new finds from Trader Joe’s???