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Sweet and creamy, strawberry bliss balls are the perfect healthy snack for berry-loving kids! This recipe uses simple ingredients, like cashews, dates, hemp seeds, and coconut, for plenty of healthy fats and natural sweetness without any added sugar. But it’s the freeze-dried strawberries that add a punch of strawberry flavor to every bite! Perfect for lunch boxes, after-school snacks, or any time of day!
Delicious Strawberry Energy Balls!
Energy balls are one of my go-to healthy snacks because they are so easy to make, last forever in the freezer, and taste like dessert! These strawberry bliss balls are no exception.
The dates add a caramel-like flavor that makes these taste similar to strawberry jam, and cashews add a nutty, buttery flavor similar to shortbread or sugar cookies.
My kids love these healthy bliss balls, and since they use freeze-dried fruit, you can make them any time of the year!
For more berry-infused snacks, try these Strawberry Banana Oat Bars and Frozen Greek Yogurt Bites too!
Why We Love This Recipe
- One batch makes about 27 delicious strawberry bliss balls
- They store well in the freezer for months at a time
- Everything is mixed together in a blender or food processor – scoop, roll, and go!
- Formulated by a Registered Dietitian (and mom) to be nutritionally balanced for kids
- Made without any grains, gluten, dairy products, or eggs for those with intolerances
- Super simple no bake treat you can make in just a few minutes
- Loaded with healthy fats from the cashews, coconut, and hemp seeds
Ingredient Notes
- Raw cashews: These will soften up and make the filling nice and creamy.
- Pitted dates: For natural sweetness and added fiber. You can use regular pitted dates or pitted Medjool dates.
- Unsweetened shredded coconut: I add these to the filling, and I roll the balls in extra coconut to make them less sticky.
- Cashew butter: This is a good source of plant-based protein and healthy fats.
- Hemp seeds: Hemp seeds are a nutritional powerhouse and a great ingredient to add to your child’s diet. They contain protein, antioxidants, fiber, and omega-3 fatty acids, all of which support your child’s overall health.
- Vanilla extract: For flavor.
- Pinch of salt: A little salt will highlight the sweetness in these energy bites.
- Freeze-dried strawberries: These have a much more concentrated flavor than fresh strawberries and are also way less messy!
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Place cashews in a blender and blend until finely chopped. Next, pulse 1/4 cup of the freeze-dried strawberries until broken down into fine pieces. Add dates, remaining ¼ cup of freeze dried strawberries,1/4 cup of the coconut, cashew butter, hemp seeds, vanilla, and salt; blend until mixture is well-combined and starts to clump together. You may need to add a tablespoon or so of water until the mixture is sticky enough to bind together and form into balls (I added 2 tablespoons of water).
- Use a small cookie scoop or tablespoon to scoop out the mixture. Roll into approximately 1-inch balls.
- Pour remaining 1/2 cup coconut flakes into a bowl, and roll each ball in coconut. You may wish to press some extra finely chopped freeze-dried strawberries into the surface of the balls as well. Chill until firm, about 30 minutes. Enjoy or store in the fridge or freeze for later!
Keep scrolling to the recipe card below for the full printable recipe!
RECIPE TIPS
- If your dates are firm and hard, you may need to soak them into boiling hot water for 5-10 minutes to soften them before blending.
Recipe FAQs
Fresh strawberries are very moist, making these bliss balls very loose and sticky. If you want to use fresh berries, try adapting my blueberry bliss ball recipe, which uses fresh blueberries.
Yes! Although most bliss ball recipes are relatively high in calories with dates, cashews, and other nutritionally dense ingredients, they are typically better than the processed store-bought snacks. Children also require healthy fats to support their basic biological functions. In fact, fat should make up 30-40% of the diet for children between ages 1-3.
The combination of fat and fiber in these bliss balls will help energize your kids, fill their tummies, and nourish their growing bodies. It’s still important to not overdo it though and stick to 1-2 balls as a snack.
The freezer is your friend. These bite size balls last for months in an airtight container in the freezer. To pack them for lunch, pop them into a little container or add them to a bento box and serve. They’ll soften throughout the day and become perfectly tender for your little one by lunchtime.
Storage Guidelines
- Store the leftovers in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 3 months. For lunches, place them in the lunchbox directly from the freezer. They’ll soften a little bit, which makes them easier for young kids to eat.
Serving Suggestions
I recommend serving these strawberry date balls as a snack between meals or along with a meal. For snacks, it’s best to pair them with an extra dose of fiber and protein to increase that feeling of fullness.
- Small yogurt cup (low sugar)
- Cottage cheese
- Cheese
- A little strawberry banana smoothie
- Fresh berries
- Sliced banana
- Apples or orange slices
- Veggie sticks with dip or high protein hummus
Recipe Variations
- Use different freeze-dried fruits: You can also make these with freeze-dried blueberries, apples, peaches, and more.
- Change the nut butter: Cashew butter has a fantastic flavor that really adds to these strawberry protein bites, but you can also use peanut butter, almond butter, or even sunflower seed butter for a nut-free option.
- Make chocolate strawberry bliss balls: For a more dessert-like option, chill the strawberry balls and then drizzle some melted chocolate on top and place in the fridge or freezer to harden. You can also add mini chocolate chips to the filling.
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More Tasty Bites
- Blueberry Bliss Balls
- 3-Ingredient Peanut Butter Oatmeal Balls
- Sunbutter Energy Balls
- Pressed Fruit Bars
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Strawberry Bliss Balls
Ingredients
- 2 cups raw cashews
- 1 cup pitted dates
- 3/4 cup unsweetened shredded coconut, divided
- 2 tablespoons cashew butter
- 1 tablespoon hemp seeds
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
- 2 tablespoons water (or more as needed)
- 1/2 heaping cup freeze-dried strawberries, plus more for sprinkling on top
Instructions
- Place cashews in a blender and blend until finely chopped. Next, pulse 1/4 cup of the freeze-dried strawberries until broken down into fine pieces. Add dates, remaining ¼ cup of freeze dried strawberries,1/4 cup of the coconut, cashew butter, hemp seeds, vanilla, and salt; blend until mixture is well-combined and starts to clump together. You may need to add a tablespoon or so of water until the mixture is sticky enough to bind together and form into balls (I added 2 tablespoons of water).
- Use a small cookie scoop or tablespoon to scoop out the mixture. Roll into approximately 1-inch balls.
- Pour remaining 1/2 cup coconut flakes into a bowl, and roll each ball in coconut. You may wish to press some extra finely chopped freeze-dried strawberries into the surface of the balls as well. Chill until firm, about 30 minutes. Enjoy or store in the fridge or freeze for later!
Notes
- If your dates are firm and hard, you may need to soak them into boiling hot water for 5-10 minutes to soften them before blending.
