Basic Bliss Ball Formula

I regularly switch up bliss balls to ensure a variety of micronutrients and also find it fun to experiment with and make up new recipes. When I make up a recipe, I like to stick to a basic formula that provides for a variety of nuts, seeds, grains, and fats for a balanced snack that ends up as a complete protein. I based my formula off of one of my favorite recipes, The Conscious Dietitian's Protein Tahini Hemp Energy Balls. I like to whip up a batch or two over the weekend for snackage during the work week and as a portable snack for weekend adventures.

Basic Bliss Ball Formula

2/3 c. shredded coconut: to brighten the flavor

1 c. rolled oats: to balance fat and compliment nut and seed protein profiles

1/2 c. nut or seed butter: to bind the ingredients and add filling fat

2 flax or chia eggs: to bind the ingredients together and provide omega-3s

3/4 c. solid nuts and seeds: to complement the protein profile of oats

1/4 c. dried figs or dates: to sweeten and bind the ingredients

Up to 2 - 3 T spices: to flavor - cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, turmeric

2 t of extract: to flavor - vanilla or almond extract

pinch of sea salt

plant-based milk or water: to bind and moisten the mixture as needed

1/2 c. stir-ins: like cacao chunks or dried fruits

All ingredients but for stir-ins and extra liquid can be added to your food processor or blender and blended or processed until all ingredients are evenly combined and all ingredients are pulverized into fine pieces or even as far as smooth.

Add liquid at this point if needed for rolling and extra bind. Once the mixture achieves a texture that doesn't crumble when formed into a ball, pulse in stir-ins.

Scoop the mixture by the spoonful into your hands and roll into balls. I make each ball the size of a pong pong ball, resulting in about 18 balls per batch. Then freeze in a single layer on a cookie sheet, and once frozen, store in an air-tight container in the freezer.

See below for some of my recent variations:

Snickerdoodle Nut Bliss Balls

2/3 c. shredded coconut

1 c. rolled oats

1/2 c. almond butter

2 flax eggs (2 T flax, 5 T water)

1/2 c. Brazil nuts

1/4 c. sunflower seeds

8 dates

1/2 t vanilla extract

1/2 t almond extract

1 t cinnamon

1 t coconut butter + 1 t nutritional yeast (this gives it a buttery cookie flavor)

sprinkle of nutmeg (too much can make anything taste overwhelmingly like a pumpkin spice dessert)

sprinkle of sea salt

up to 1/4 c. water or plant-based milk

Turmeric-Spiced Cacao Chunk Bliss Balls

2/3 c. shredded coconut

2 c. rolled oats

1/2 c. almond butter

2 flax eggs (2 T flax, 5 T water)

1/2 c. cashews

1/4 c. pumpkin seeds

4 black mission figs

1 1/2 t vanilla extract

2 T ground turmeric + 1 grind fresh black pepper (or 2 T Gaia Herbs Golden Milk)

1 t ground ginger

1 t ground cinnamon

1/2 t ground cardamom

sprinkle sea salt

up to 1/4 c. water or plant-based milk

Almond Sour Cherry Bliss Balls

2/3 c. shredded coconut

1 c. rolled oats

1/2 c. almond butter

2 flax eggs

1/2 c. hemp hearts

1/4 c. sunflower seeds

3 black mission figs

1 t vanilla extract

1/2 t almond extract

1 t cardamom

1/2 dried sour cherries

sprinkle sea salt

up to 1/4 c. water or plant-based milk

You can also check out an older post about another recipe I made up with this formula, Cardamom Brazil Nut Bliss Balls, and why I love to make bliss balls so much.