Apricot Balls with Dates, Cashews, & Coconut
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!
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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.
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!
- 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
- Combine cashew nuts, apricots, coconut, and dates in a food processor bowl and pulse the mixture until crumbly.
- 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.
- Shape dough into ~ 20 1-inch apricot energy balls and place on a tray or plate lined with parchment paper.
- 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.
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
- These Apricot Energy Balls are gluten-free, vegan, paleo, MIND diet, Mediterranean diet, and DASH diet friendly.
- Each ball (or bite) has 100 calories, 9 grams of carbohydrates (5 grams of sugar, 1 gram of fiber), and 6 grams of fat (only 1 gram of saturated fat).
- These apricot balls are a good source of plant-based iron, magnesium, heart-healthy monounsaturated fats, potassium, and vitamin A.
Apricot Energy Balls Video-See How Easy They Are to Make!
Healthy Apricot Balls with Dates, Cashews, and Coconut
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
- Zest fresh citrus like a pro with a microplane grater~I use this all the time too add a burst of flavor to foods, without adding a lot of salt/sodium.
- This shredded coconut is a staple at our house. Not only is it perfect in these energy bites, I also love to sprinkle it on yogurt, add it to smoothies, and use it to make the most amazing raw coconut caramel pecan caramel frosting ~ SO good!
- I love these glass storage containers for storing my energy bites, plus, pretty much everything!
Nutrition
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Did you make this recipe?
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Let’s Chat!
- Have you tried the Cashew Apricot Date and Nut Bites from Trader Joe’s?
- Where would you hike with these Apricot Balls?
- Any yummy new finds from Trader Joe’s???
