Chia Bliss Balls – Yummy Vegan Treat!

If you love baking and developing recipes like I do, you will know that striking a balance between eating healthy and satisfying that sweet tooth is always an interesting challenge. Chocolate to me, is what kryptonite is to Superman! So while finding that sweet spot between healthy and indulgent can be tricky, I’m always on the look out for a solution. This is why I’m really excited to bring to you today one of my absolute favourite alternatives for that nagging craving we all get from time to time. Without further ado, please say hello to Chia Bliss Balls!

These Bliss balls are amazing. They are packed with protein and have no added sugar, yet they never fail to satisfy my chocolate cravings. There are different versions that exist out there are, but this is mine. I modify it a little every time I make them but the basic recipe stays the same. These were made out of Chia seeds, Dates, Almonds and cocoa powder. Yep, just four ingredients and only takes 5 minutes to make. And yes that means they are also a vegan treat. How much better can it possibly be?

Ingredients minus the Cocoa Powder

Chia seeds are something that have gotten quite popular in the last few years. They have been labelled a “super food” and with good reason too. One ounce of Chia seeds have 4.7 grams of protein, 9 grams of fat, 11 grams of fiber, 12 grams of carbohydrates and other minerals and vitamins (Source: WebMD and several others). It is  meant to keep you full for longer, which is perfect for someone prone to the munchies (like me!). I add it to all kinds of things – my bread dough, breakfast Oats, Salads, Smoothies (my sister taught me that) and of course – Bliss balls. 

Dates have a natural sweetness and stickiness that work perfectly for treats like Bliss balls. They are also high in minerals, vitamins and fiber. Even though they are also high in sugar content they still have numerous health benefits as well.

You all know how nutritionally dense almonds are as they are packed with protein, fat, vitamins, carbs and essential minerals. And even the unsweetened cocoa powder is well known for its anti-oxidants and its ability to boost endorphin levels to keep us all happy!

I don’t mean to sound like your personal dietitian or nutritionist, but my point is that these are an amazing treat that you can truly enjoy without ever feeling the need to hit the gym and run five miles afterwards.

The trick to making these bliss balls is to process them (in your food processor) for a little bit longer than usual. Some recipes call to add water to bind them together and you may need to do this if the ingredients are too dry.

I processed the ingredients for about 2-3 minutes (with breaks in between) and the dates break down and act as the glue to hold everything together. If this doesn’t happen – add water, a teaspoon at a time while processing.

Take a little in to your hand and squeeze to see if it’s ready.

Chia Bliss Balls

Author: Dini from giramuks kitchen

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Ingredients

• 8.5 oz Dates
• 3 oz Chia Seeds
• 2 oz Raw Almonds
• 3 tablespoons Cocoa

Instructions

1. Add the nuts in to the food processor and pulse until they are coarsely chopped.
2. Add the rest of the ingredients in to the processor and mix on low speed for about 2 minutes (stop to scrape down sides if needed) until the ingredients come together to form a "dough".
3. If needed you can add a little water (I did not need it) a teaspoon at a time to get a dough like consistency. (See notes)
4. Turn out the sticky "dough" in to a bowl.
5. Roll the "dough" in to small balls.
6. You can re-roll these in cocoa powder if you like.
7. Store in an airtight container, in the fridge.

Recipe Notes

The ingredients need to be processed for at least 2 minutes. It will be a dry mix at first but will slowly start to stick together to form a dough. You can check it by taking a little of the mix in to your hand and squeezing it. If it holds or sticks together then it's ready. If it is already finely chopped but not holding together - add a little water while processing.

These are great for kids too and are a wonderful alternative for their sweet cravings. You can even get them to help you with forming the balls, an experience that will get them to enjoy the treat even more!

My husband loves eating these and in our house they disappear pretty fast! But the best thing is that they are so easy and cheap to make, so new batches are never too far away.

Do you have a version of bliss balls you like to eat? Tell me about it below! And click the links at the top of the page to follow me on facebook, twitter and instagram or subscribe below for all the latest recipes from Giramuk’s kitchen!