Apricot & Coconut Bliss Balls

I like knowing what I am eating. By making my snack foods, I am aware of their ingredients. Homemade bliss balls are the perfect snack for the lunch box, afternoon tea, or something to grab when you have a long day of sailing.

My bliss balls do not require any oil to hold them together, as I use psyllium which works beautifully to bond all the ingredients. I don’t have a sweet tooth; therefore, my recipe has no added sweetener. Add a little honey if you want them sweeter.

Table of Contents

Ingredients

3/4 cup of oats
1/2 cup desiccated coconut
300g dried apricots
1/4 cup psyllium husks
1/4 cup pistachios, roughly chopped
6 brazil nuts, roughly chopped
1/4 cup chia seeds
1/2 – 3/4 cup orange juice
extra coconut for coating

Method

Add oats to a food processor, process until fine, and put into a mixing bowl.

Add the coconut, psyllium, pistachios, brazil nuts and chia seed to the bowl.

Put the apricots into the food processor and chop them up. Add 1/2 a cup of orange juice and blend well.

Add the apricot/orange mix to the mixing bowl and mix well. Add a little more orange juice if needed. The dough should be pretty firm. Once well blended, use wet hands and roll the mix into 25 – 30 balls.

Coat the balls in the extra coconut, and refrigerate. They will keep for about two weeks in the refrigerator.

About the Ingredients

Apricots – are high in beta-carotene, fibre, vitamin C and potassium. They also protect against free radical damage.

Oats – High in fibre, helps lower cholesterol and is high in antioxidants.

Psyllium Husk – fibre and can help manage cholesterol levels.

Chia Seeds – massive amounts of nutrients with very few calories! Excellent source of fibre and antioxidants. High in protein and omega-3 fatty acids and helps lower the risk of heart disease.

Brazil nuts – High in selenium. Brazil nuts include anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties. They will increase your bliss, hence Bliss Balls! This bliss is due to selenium which has been scientifically proven to lift mood and prevent depression.

Coconut is rich in many essential nutrients, including dietary fibre, manganese, copper and selenium.

Pistachios – are loaded with all kinds of nutrients, such as vitamin B6, thiamine, potassium, copper, magnesium and iron. Helps lower cholesterol.