Delicious fruity energy balls flavoured with immune boosting goji berries and lucuma powder. These goji berry bliss balls are not only vegan, gluten and refined sugar free, but they’re also super simple to make.
Energy balls are all the rage now. Look in any self-respecting modern “healthy” cookbook and you’ll find at least one recipe for them. There’s a good reason for this. They are easy to make and utterly delicious. I’ve made quite a few over the last few years and these goji berry bliss balls are the latest.
When I need a sugar hit, I find one, or possibly two, energy balls gives me just what I need. They stop me dashing off to the shops for a far less healthy sugar fix. I like to call them bliss balls rather than energy balls, as that really is the effect they have – on me at least. But as well as being delicious, both in taste and texture, they usually contain all sorts of beneficial nutrients.
The Chinese have used goji berries in traditional medicine for over 2000 years. They contain all sorts of phytonutrients, vitamins and trace minerals, including Vitamin A and Iron and are said to be good for boosting the immune system, supporting healthy circulation and preventing fatigue.
Goji Berry Powder
Indigo Herbs sell a whole range of high quality and mostly organic super foods via their online shop. I used two versions of goji berries in my recipe. I’ve been buying and eating dried goji berries for many years now, but I’d never come across goji berry powder before.
I was quite excited at the prospect and immediately fancied making goji berry bliss balls and rolling the balls in the goji berry powder. I was expecting it to be red, but it’s actually more amber in colour. Once I got used to the idea, I decided it looked rather fetching. Unlike some powders I’ve tried, it tastes good. It’s slightly sweeter than I was expecting, but has a subtle bitter tone which is typical of goji berries.
Lucuma Powder
I’ve had a packet of lucuma powder lurking in my cupboard for some time now. I bought it the last time I was in Totnes. So it’s now time to try it out.
For those who are unfamiliar with lucuma (and I include myself in this category), it is an Andean “superfood” made from the fruit of the lucuma tree. It’s meant to be particularly rich in beta-carotene, niacin and iron.
This pale yellow powder is quite sweet and is used extensively in raw products as a sugar and flour substitute. It also makes the best ice cream ever – apparently! Dipping my finger into the powder, it tastes remarkably like Hunza apricots and it’s quite delicious.
Goji Berry Bliss Balls
In these goji berry bliss balls I’ve included oats to help balance any sugar spikes from the dates and maple syrup. Normally, I use cashew nuts when I make energy balls, but I substituted some of them with macadamia nuts this time as I had some lying around that needed using up. Macadamia nuts are particularly oily, so although I added a little coconut oil to the mix, it wasn’t really necessary.
Like all of the energy balls I’ve made, these goji berry bliss balls are super simple to make. I chuck all of the ingredients into a blender, my power blender* to be precise and blitz for 20 seconds. If you don’t have a power blender you can make these just as well in a food processor, though the texture will probably be less smooth.
All that’s needed after this, is to roll the mixture into balls and coat with the goji berry powder. The bliss balls will keep in a cool place for a week, assuming you can hang onto them that long. No chance of that happening here. CT’s verdict was “lush”. He particularly liked the their chewy, fudgy personality.
Next Sunday, 26th March is Mothering Sunday. Why not whip her up a batch of these goji berry bliss balls for a delicious and healthy treat. Put them in a pretty box or on an attractive plate and they are good to go. I’ve given bliss balls to my mother on a few occasions and she’s now a big fan.
Other Recipes for Energy Balls You Might Like
- Chilli chocolate chip cookie dough energy balls
- Christmas bliss balls
- Coconut bliss balls
- Peanut butter chocolate oat truffles
- Raw chocolate truffles
- Roasted hazelnut bliss balls
If you’d like even more ideas for bliss balls, you’ll find plenty of recipes on my Energy Bites board on Pinterest.
Keep in Touch
Thank you for visiting Tin and Thyme. If you make these goji berry bliss balls, I’d love to hear about it in the comments below. Do you have any recommendations or advice for making energy balls?
I’d very much appreciate it if you could rate the recipe. If you post pictures of your creations on social media, please use the hashtag #tinandthyme so I can see them.
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Choclette x
Goji Berry Bliss Balls. PIN IT.
Goji Berry Bliss Balls – The Recipe
Goji Berry Bliss Balls
Equipment
Ingredients
- 75 g cashew nuts
- 50 g macadamia nuts
- 50 g rolled oats (porridge oats) gluten free
- 75 g dates
- 25 g goji berries
- 1 pinch Himalayan pink rock salt or sea salt
- 1 tbsp lucuma powder
- 2 tsp coconut oil melted – or 1 heaped tsp if unmelted
- 2 tsp maple syrup*
- 4 tsp goji berry powder
Instructions
- Place all ingredients except the goji berry powder into a power blender or food processor and blitz until a smooth dough has formed. I used the mini jug of my Optimum G2.3
- Take walnut size pieces and roll into balls.
- Spoon the goji berry powder into a shallow bowl, then roll the balls in it until coated.
Notes
Nutrition Estimate
Sharing
I’m sharing these goji berry bliss balls with Cakeyboi for Treat Petite.
This is a sponsored post in collaboration with Indigo Herbs. I was not expected to write a positive review and all opinions are, as always, my own. Thanks to my readers for supporting the brands and organisations that help to keep Tin and Thyme blithe and blogging. The post contains affiliate links. Buying through a link will not cost you any more, but I will get a small commission.
Kate | Veggie Desserts says
They look delicious. I have some goji berries so I’ll give them a try!
Choclette says
Thanks Kate. I’ve become rather a fan of energy balls 🙂
Kat (The Baking Explorer) says
I’ve always wanted to make energy balls and this looks like the perfect recipe! I am definitely in need of healthy treats to keep me away from naughtier options! Thanks for linking up to #TreatPetite
Choclette says
When I’m desperate for something sweet and yummy, I tend to turn to energy balls these days. Delicious and sort of healthy too – win win!
Cathy @ Planet Veggie says
I love energy balls but haven’t made any for ages – I’m not sure why! Yours are a beautiful colour.
Choclette says
I go through phases of making them too. The colour is from the goji berry powder, which I was expecting to be red, but actually quite like as is.
Stuart Vettese says
These look so healthy and delicious in equal amounts Choclette. Thanks for linking in with #TreatPetite
Choclette says
Thanks Stuart. Time I made another batch methinks 😉
Elinor Kugler says
Ooh, these look SO healthy! YUM! I too eat a bliss ball or 2 whenever I need a sugar fix! They’re ready in no time and taste divine! 🙂
Choclette says
Absolutely Elinor. I’m so very glad I discovered them 🙂
Emma @ Supper in the Suburbs says
I need to start using my blender for more than just smoothies! These bliss balls look delicious. I could snaffle a couple right now!
Choclette says
Thanks Emma. The blender gives bliss balls in minutes – it’s fantastic.
Jacqueline Meldrum says
Those look so good Choclette and I love the flavours. I’ve not tried energy balls in my small jug yet. Shared : )
Choclette says
Thanks Jac. The small jug worked brilliantly and the dough was so much easier to get out than in the big jug.
Michelle @ Greedy Gourmet says
I don’t think cashews and macadamia nuts feature nearly enough in recipes. Maybe one day they’ll have their day. Will have to google what lacuma powder is. These balls look like the perfect-pick-me-up when the mid-afternoon slump hits.
Choclette says
Thanks Michelle. Macadamia nuts especially don’t get featured much. I do like to spread the word a bit, so I’m glad you’ve now been introduced to lacuma 🙂
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
You can never go wrong with an energy bite! Always have to have them stocked!
Choclette says
I really should make them more often. They work so well and stop me craving sugar.
Janice says
They sound just amazing, I love the slight sharpness that goji berries give to recipes.
Choclette says
Goji berries certainly have a distinct flavour and these are delicious, but I think it’s the thought of the energy boost that really appeals to me 😉
Diana says
Goji berries are one of my favourite ingredients at the moment, these energy look amazing I need to try your recipe!
Choclette says
Thanks Diana. I normally only use goji berries in smoothies and in porridge, so it’s nice to give them their own spot in the sun for a change.
Angie@Angie's Recipes says
These energy balls are loaded with great stuff, Choclette.
Choclette says
Thanks Angie and they have the benefit of being super tasty too.