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, and spices. Gluten free, paleo, and vegan~they’re perfect for hiking or anytime you need a quick energy boost!
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Wanna’ know the inspiration behind these apricot balls with dates, cashews, and other yummy stuff???
Trader Joe’s, of course.
Last week, after our ski trip to Revelstoke, I needed groceries {for my 2 starving teenagers-ha!} so I headed to Trader Joe’s to stock up on bananas, yogurt, eggs, OJ, organic coffee {for me!}, cheese, ready-to-eat salads, and trail mix.
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.
Total impulse buy.
Who can relate???
Anyhoo, I tried them out on my hike to the top of Cowles Mountain, and not only were they absolutely delicious, they also gave me the perfect boost of energy my weary body desperately needed. Enter these super easy to make Apricot Balls…
Back to these yummy, healthy Apricot Balls…
After I tried the Trader Joe’s version, I knew I had to experiment with making my own apricot balls at home, and you know what? iT doesn’t happen a lot, but I nailed it on the first try!
This recipe for Apricot Balls is SO easy. All you need are cashew nuts, dried apricots, dates, shredded coconut, citrus zest, and spices, along with a food processor, and 10 minutes to spare.
Not only are these Apricot Balls a nourishing snack to pack on a hike, they’re also a perfect treat in the afternoon with a cup of tea, or, a light and healthy after dinner dessert.
Bonus! These apricot balls are a good source of plant-based iron, magnesium, heart healthy monounsaturated fats, potassium, and vitamin A.
Healthy Apricot Balls with Dates, Cashews, & 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
Want more healthy energy bite recipes that are super easy to make? These are a few of my favorites…
Let’s Chat!
- Have you tried the Cashew Apricot Date and Nut Bites from Trader Joe’s?
- Where would you like to snack on these Apricot Balls?
- Any yummy new finds from Trader Joe’s???
Hi There! I’m EA, a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN) in sunny San Diego. I create easy, DELICIOUS gluten free recipes & low FODMAP recipes for a wide variety of diets: anti-inflammatory, low carb, Mediterranean, paleo, vegan, vegetarian, & more. I offer nutrition coaching for wellness nutrition, digestive health (celiac disease, IBS, IBD, SIBO), autoimmune disease, & healthy aging. Learn more about my nutrition philosophy and my nutrition coaching services, sign up for my newsletter, or get in touch~I’d love to connect with you!
13 comments
I just made them today according to your recipe. I too love the Trader Joe’s version. I did buy the coconut nectar that was listed on Trader Joe’s ingredients for theirs, and I am glad I did because it added some sweetness needed, and I think it held them together nicely. I probably added 1/4 up the coconut nectar. I think next time I will reduce the amount of cashews and increase the amount of dates to achieve more what the Trader Joe’s consistency is. I may try soaking the cashews also a bit, so they are not as crunchy.
I can’t wait to try your recipe. I just had the trader joe’s ones for the first time and they were magical.
Also, I love Cowels Mountain! I’ve hiked two times in the last month. When it dries up from the rains, I’ll do it again!
Hi Ginger! I hope you love them as much as I do 🙂 I’m sure Cowles Mountain is dry now with the Santa Ana weather we’ve been having. Have you done any of the other peaks in Mission Trails Regional Park? This Kwaay Paay Peak trail is another one of my favorites. I hope you’re having a wonderful week!
I snag ideas from health food store finds, too. I’m always looking at the various pots of dips and their ginormous price tag, and think. “I’m going to make you”. Sometimes I do, but often times I don’t. I’m glad you did. These look fab. That citrus pulls it all together.
I’m so excited about making these soon! Cashews are one of my favorite nuts and I love the flavor of dried apricots so this just sounds perfect. Also starting to collect some healthy snacks to have near by when I’ll be spending a lot of time breastfeeding in a couple more months!
I bet the citrus zest adds so much flavor. I must try these!
Hi, I’ll take 12 please and thank you. Sign me up! I have to say, I have to be careful with energy bites because I can overdo it on snackables… but these look delicious!
This looks delicious ! I haven’t tried them just bc I’m not a huge coconut fan but I’m sure if I made them with something else in its place I’d be on board!! And I love cowles mnt! That’s one of my fav hikes! Can’t wait to see you soon!
These look great, EA!
Energy bites are my jam! I love this tropical combo – it sounds and looks delish!
Thanks so much Brittany! I usually go for chocolate, pb, or caramel energy bites, but this combo is one of my new favorites for sure!
These look delish!
Thanks Amy!