Goji Berry Bliss Balls (vegan, refined sugar & gluten-free)

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, 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. Goji berries have been used in traditional Chinese 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.

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.

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 G2.3 Optimum Induction Blender to be precise and blitz for 20 seconds. If you don’t have a power blender these can be made 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 now on a few occasions and she’s become a big fan.

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Goji Berry Bliss Balls

Prep Time

15 mins

Total Time

15 mins

 

Delicious fruity energy balls flavoured with immune boosting goji berries and lucuma powder. Super simple to make.

Course: Snack

Servings: 20 balls

Author: Choclette @ Tin and Thyme

Ingredients

• 75 g cashew nuts
• 50 g macadamia nuts
• 50 g gluten free rolled oats
• 75 g dates
• 25 g goji berries
• pinch of Himalayan pink rock salt
• 1 tbsp lacuma powder
• 2 tsp melted coconut oil or 1 heaped tsp if unmelted
• 2 tsp maple syrup
• 4 tsp goji berry powder

Instructions

1. 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
2. Take walnut size pieces and roll into balls.
3. Spoon the goji berry powder into a shallow bowl, then roll the balls in it until coated.

Recipe Notes

Makes 18-20 balls depending on size.

Store in an air tight container. Will keep in a cool place for a week.

I’m sharing these goji berry bliss balls with Cakeyboi and The Baking Explorer for Treat Petite.

Other recipes for energy balls you might like

• 5-ingredient peanut butter energy bites via Oat & Sesame
• Chilli chocolate chip cookie dough energy balls via Tin and Thyme
• Christmas bliss balls via Tin and Thyme
• Coconut bliss balls via Tin and Thyme
• Energy bites via United Cakedom
• Mint chocolate sunflower bites via Strength and Sunshine
• No bake energy balls via Simple Food
• Pumpkin spice bliss balls via Rough Measures
• Superfood energy balls (vegan) via Little Sunny Kitchen
• Walnut fudge energy balls via Celery and Cupcakes

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 blythe and blogging. The post contains affiliate links. Buying through a link will not cost you any more, but I will get a small commission.