It’s time to bust out your food processor! All you need is 5 ingredients and 10 minutes to make these Tropical Coconut Energy Balls. Vegan, gluten-free, and paleo-friendly!
I’ve told you how much I love my food processor* right? It wasn’t until I started making a bunch of nut butters until I realized just how freaking awesome it really is.
And then balls happened and I fell in love all over again.
And then I made a cake in it and I kind of felt like I was cheating on my Kitchenaid mixer, ya know? I am hoping she understands. It’s not you, it’s me… Except, it’s totally her. She can’t grind up nuts and dates like my good ole food processor can. Don’t worry girl, you’re still my go-to for cookies. Not to mention you’re a hell of a lot safer to clean. And you don’t tear up spatulas and cause me to yell in frustration…
Okay, I’m going to stop talking to my Kitchenaid mixer now and start talking to you all again…
Apparently it’s one of those days I am just going to act like a complete lunatic. At this point I’m hoping you’re either entertained, or you’ve skipped down to the recipe already.
If you’re looking for an easy, grab-n-go, flavorful, STUPENDOUS ball recipe that puts you on a tropical beach somewhere, look no further. Use your imagination and these Tropical Coconut Energy Balls will do just that 😉 Actually, at this time last year, I was just getting back from my brother’s wedding in the Virgin Islands. One of the most amazing times of my life, without a doubt. Those beaches are just beyond beautiful. *sigh*
Alright, let’s chat about these balls! They’re chewy, fruity, not overly sweet and the perfect little bite-sized snack.
WHAT YOU’LL NEED:
- macadamia nuts
- cashews
- dates
- diced tropical fruit
- coconut
YES, you read that right, just FIVE ingredients stand between you and these fruity little Tropical Coconut Energy Balls.
If you haven’t made snack balls like this before, let me tell you… SO. FREAKING. EASY.
First you’ll grind down your nuts. Then add/process your dates, fruit and coconut. Add a little bit of water to get at sticky consistency and process again. Then all that’s left is to roll into balls and cover in coconut! SO EASYYY.
If you’ve got a food processor, you must start making energy balls like this! They are seriously one of the best snacks to have on hand, and they’ll keep in your freezer for months. But realistically they won’t last that long and you’ll just have to make more 😀
Tropical Coconut Energy Balls
- Prep Time: 5 mins
- Cook Time: 5 mins
- Total Time: 10 mins
- Yield: 24 1x
Print Recipe
Pin RecipeIngredients
- 1 cup toasted whole cashews
- 1 cup toasted macadamia nuts
- 1/3 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
- 1 cup large medjool dates, soaked for 5 minutes/drained & pitted
- 1 cup dried diced tropical fruit mix
- 2 TBS water
- coating:
- about 1/3 cup unsweetened shredded coconut for rolling
Instructions
- Place 1/3 cup shredded coconut in small bowl, set aside later for rolling.
- In the bowl of your food processor, process nuts until a course meal, about 10-15 seconds.
- Remove lid from bowl and add pitted dates, diced tropical fruit mix, and shredded coconut. Process again until ingredients are fully combined, roughly 15-20 seconds. Add in 1-2 TBS water for smoother consistency. Ball mixture will be thick, sticky, and slightly wet.
- Using a slightly rounded tablespoon, roll mixture into balls between the palm of your hands. Roll into bowl of shredded coconut until fully coated. You should get about 24 balls.
Store energy balls in airtight container in freezer. Enjoy!
Notes
-I used raw nuts and toasted them myself at 300F for 15 minutes.
- Category: snacks
TOOLS USED for this recipe
So I must know:
- Food processor vs Kitchenaid mixer? Which one do you use more and for what/why?
Christina @ The Blissful Balance says
I was about to comment on how genius it is to add dried fruit to balls, then I realized dates are dried fruit and I use them all the time LOL why haven’t I ever used ~other~ dried fruit?! These sound so good I love the combination you’ve made!!! Summer here we come!
Ashley says
Hahahaa love it.
Erin @ The Almond Eater says
Ohhh I have a similar recipe to this using dried mango, so I imagine these are delicious and addicting. Life would be sad without a food processor–definitely most used kitchen appliance!
Ashley says
Oohh mango I’ve been wanting to try that too! And yes, my life (in the kitchen) is much more fulfilling with a food processor. 😀
rachel @ athletic avocado says
oh my goodness this is taking me to the tropics! These little energy bites sound delish! Love the combo of coconut and pineapple 🙂
Ashley says
BGB meetup in the tropics. I’ll bring the bites. Leggo. <3
Jess @hellotofit says
Ahh don’t ask me that question; it’s too hard to answer!!! I love BOTH, but probably used my KA more when I baked. Now, I use the food processor more!
Ashley says
Lol it really is a hard question! They are both great, but I think I typically do use my food processor a bit more too. You can just do SO much with it.
Shashi @ RunninSrilankan says
OOh these sound delicious! Loving the cashews and dried diced tropical fruit mix in these – perfect for a post or pre workout snack!
Ashley says
Thanks Shashi! They really are the perfect snack 🙂
Annmarie says
I LOVE coconut and macadamia nuts – cannot wait to give these delicious little nuggets of energy a try 😉
Ashley says
Nuts are just the best. And cashews are my favorite 😀
Stella @ Stellicious Life says
I LOVE balls, the only problem is stopping, somehow 2-3 slide down before I realize I’m the one making the balls disappear from the plate 😉 Lovely photos!
Ashley says
Haha, right?! Thanks so much Stella 🙂
Megan @ Skinny Fitalicious says
Anything with coconut is my jam. And don’t worry…I have those days when I feel like a bit of a lunatic too. It’s part of being a blogger and completely normal. Now let’s go to the beach!
Ashley says
Lol thanks Megan! Glad I am not alone 😉
Beverley @ Born to Sweat says
don’t you just love it BALLS happen? (especially tropical balls…) Life changing!
i dont have a kitchenaid mixer but it would have to be prettyyyy good for me to want to part ways with my food processor.
Ashley says
No parting ways necessary here, there’s room for all the love 😉
Natalie @ A Fit Philosophy says
Because who doesn’t love recipes that are made in 10 minutes! And because who doesn’t love balls!?!? These look super delish and perfect for summer right around the corner!
★★★★★
Ashley says
Haha my thoughts exactly Natalie!
Erin @ Erin's Inside Job says
The only thing I’ve ever made in my food processor is almond butter and I make it at least once a week because I have a problem haha. I really need to branch out and use it for some other things!
Ashley says
lol problem? naahhhh. Definitely branch out though! You can make pizza dough, cookies, I even make my carrot cake in it! 😀
Kristy @ Southern In Law says
This looks so so delicious! I’ll be honest, I use my food processor way more than my mixer simply because it’s on the bench and my mixer is up high in the cupboard and I’m a bit lazy, hahaha!
Ashley says
Lol, totally understandable. Those things are heavy!
Sam @ PancakeWarriors says
I’m legit obsessed with my food processor. We are trying to figure out which one to buy for our commercial cooking. Is the one you mentioned above the one you use for everyday?
These energy bites – omg give me them all. These would be so perfect after a tough workout!! Love love love!
Ashley says
The one I list is the one I use, yes! It is such a beast and the Breville products seem to be made really well. Definitely recommend!
And energy bites are totally the best workout snack 😀 Thanks Sam!
Emily says
Mm… yes! Seeing all those ingredients made me want to go to Hawaii or Florida. 🙂 I need to try one of your nut butter recipes. They look AMAZING!
Cassie Autumn Tran says
As of now, I use my food processor every other day! Today I’m using it AGAIN to make a delicious green curry recipe! It’s amazing! Anyways, these energy balls look so vibrant and flavorful! I love the little bites of tropical fruit with the coconut and macadamia nut crunch too!
Ashley says
Oh green curry sounds amazing. I have yet to venture into recipes like that with my food processor, but I’ll definitely have to check some out, thanks Cassie!