Bliss balls, energy balls, protein balls or cookie balls – whatever you want to call these goes, we actually call them plain old cookie balls here at our house. All I know is they can be made in a flash and are a delicious treat for you or your kiddos!
Not only can they be made to be a healthy and delicious alternative to sweets, but they are also incredibly versatile. So long as you keep true to the base of dates, raisins, and nuts, you can make them pretty much any way you want. Want chocolate chips, go for it! Coconut flakes, yes, please! Want a little Oreo for some added crunch? Do it!
The key to this really comes from the natural sugars that are in the dates and raisins. I don’t think there’s a better combination for the “wet” ingredients of this masterful flavor profile. Then adding any roasted nuts (preferably unsalted, but you can try salted too, just go easy or skip the pinch I call for in the recipe). I’ve tried other dried fruits like dried mango or cranberry, and those are ok, but not nearly as easy to breakdown and get the lovely texture dates provide. Just be sure to take your pits out of them and check even the ones that say they are pitted, sometimes they miss a few.
I first started making these addictive cookie balls the Summer I discovered my intolerance to gluten. They are incredibly easy to make, and please pretty much any crowd, even of the pickiest sorts. It’s a treat in ways other desserts just can’t compete – cuz they taste too good to be true!
The world is your bliss ball!
– said no one ever before now
The funny thing about these though, are that my kids actually love them more than I do. My son especially! He fell in love with these around the time he was learn how to walk. Talking wasn’t his thing, he’s more the shy stoic type, but boy would he get rowdy and excited for these when I made them. I think that’s the real reason I love making these, because they still light up his face like a fourth of July fireworks show – full of awe and love!
This recipe is one of my personal favorites, with a nutty, sweet, and salty flavor combination that just doesn’t quit. I keep them in a jar in the refrigerator for a couple of weeks, if they last that long, and they stay as tasty as the day they were made.
We hope you enjoy them and even try getting creative with your own favorite combinations!
Gluten-free No-Bake Pistachio Bliss Balls
Equipment
- Food Processor
- Kitchen Scale
Ingredients
- 106 g Pitted Medjool Dates, (about 8)
- 50 g Seedless Raisins
- 84 g Raw Cashews
- Pinch Sea Salt
- 32 g Cashew Butter
- 24 g Pistachios, Shelled and unsalted
Instructions
Mix In A Food Processor
- In your food processor, add the dates and raisins first, to get the base of the dough started. Process until the dough starts to form a big ball.
- Add the raw cashews and salt and pulse until well combined.
- Add pistachios and pulse until the consistency is even and yet still has some bite.
- Add and pulse a very generous spoonful of cashew butter to help bind the dough.
- Using a spoon, scoop out tablespoon size balls, one at a time, and roll in between the palms of your hands until the dough comes together.
- Place the balls in an airtight container and eat fresh or refrigerate before serving if your crowd likes something cool!
Video
Nutrition
Hello there!
I’m Ali, the creator of C&C, and I love food.
Unfortunately, not all food loves me back as I’m gluten-intolerant. That is why I’m sharing all of our family’s favorite, go-to recipes as well as the new ones we keep dreaming up, so that you can enjoy gluten-free food as much as we do together!
If you make this recipe, please tag @crunch_crumb on Instagram so we can find out how it went!