This recipe for Ginger Bliss Balls is ridiculously easy to make (as long as you don’t mind getting sticky fingers!) and so, so filling.
The idea behind this type of recipe is to tick a few boxes; it’s made with unrefined sugars, it’s no bake therefore a raw recipe and it’s packed with nutrients and slow release carbs. This is why you see lots of recipes like this on fitness websites. It’s kind of the baby sister of protein bars I guess.
What’s so good about a bliss ball then?
These are ideal for post exercise for the reason I mentioned above, the slow release ingredients in the recipe are high in fibre too so great to get your blood sugars up and keep them up until you have a meal. The nuts also give you an element of calcium which those following a diary free or vegan diet 55 Ginger Bliss Balls so I am not for once second saying that these are the answer! I also think it’s physically impossible to eat that many, they REALLY are so filling.
Another great thing about these raw bliss balls is that, as I keep mentioning, they are filling so you’ll only need 1 maybe two with a glass of water to do the job and fill you up. the fact that they are little walnut-sized balls is perfect portion control.
Dates on their own are rich in iron, potassium, calcium, magnesium, and they are the main source of fibre in this recipe. They are also rich in calories, making them a great energy source. Plus, because they are so sweet in taste, dates are a great alternative to refined sugars, hence no need to add sugar to this recipe.
Can I use fresh ginger instead of crystallised ginger?
Yes of course you can, but be prepared to need to add more dates as the fresh ginger will not have the same ‘sticky’ value to add to the recipe.
I would recommend a 1 inch piece of peeled ginger root that’s been chopped and then added to the food processor. This change of ingredient will make the Ginger Bliss Balls far more punchy in flavour with a real ginger kick. It will also lessen the over all sweetness of the balls so coating every ball with chocolate would be advised if you were hoping for this snack to hit the sweet spot.
Fresh ginger will also make these delicious bliss balls multi tasking treats. As many know, ginger is an anti-inflammatory and a great aid for the digestion. It also helps to lower blood sugars and reduce nausea or morning sickness.
If my daughter liked dried fruits these would be perfect for her Diabetes as she often needs a little carb-filled but slow release snack post exercises – if you want to read more about Bethany and her Type 1 Diabetes you can find information here Type 1 Diabetes and us: diagnosis story
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What’s the difference between cocoa and cacao powder?
You may be scratching your head and wondering what this cacao is in my Ginger bliss balls recipe. I’ll admit to wondering what the difference was myself a few years back.
In basic terms. the difference between the to two coco-related foods is the production process. Cocoa is our age-old recognisable bitter dark brown powder that is use in baking and hot chocolate. Sometimes you find cocoa is sold with added ingredients such as salt sugar and sometimes preservatives.
Cacao is produced at far lower temperatures than cocoa and this is the key to this powder being sold as a super food with additional health benefits. At the end of the day, both are sugar free (usually) and both create a healthier chocolate alternative but with cacao you are more likely to receive additional minerals, namely iron, potassium and magnesium and is has higher levels of fibre too.
If you love the idea for these gluten free ginger bliss balls then I reckon you’d be interested to find out that there are other delicious no bake recipes on this website to suit all needs. Whether you need a post exercise fix, an afternoon pick-me-up or just a cheeky sweetie I bet I have something that will interest you here in my Top 12 No Bake Recipes – all gluten free, quick and easy.
Ginger Bliss Balls Recipe
Ginger Bliss Balls
Ingredients
- 100 g cashews
- 100 g dates
- 70 g ground almonds
- 70 g crystallised ginger
- 50 g coconut oil
- 40 g buckwheat flour or coconut flour
- 2 tbsp carob powder
To coat
- 100 g 85% dairy free dark chocolate or your favourite dairy free chocolate
Instructions
- Add the cashews to the blender and blitz for a few seconds then pop all the remaining ingredients in a blender and blend until thoroughly combined (the mixture should start to clump together in the blender.
- Check the mixture clumps by scooping out a teaspoon and squeeze into the palm of your hand. If the mixture is too dry and crumbles add a few more dates to make the mixture more sticky.
- Using the teaspoon take walnut sizes clumps of mixture and roll into balls and place on a tray or plate
- Once all the mixture has been balled, heat the chocolate in the microwave, careful not to burn.
- Dip the balls into the chocolate and place on a piece of baking paper or other non stick mat.
- I tend to leave some un-coated in chocolate, it's a personal preference and gives me a choice when I go to the fridge depending on how sweet a tooth I have at the time!
- Pop in the fridge for at least 30mins
- They’re ready!
Notes
Nutrition
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Grace says
I negated the cacao powder and chocolate coating, and instead added a small amount of chocolate chips. Soooo yum. I’ve been looking for a recipe since a local cafe had some amazing bliss balls. These taste like it! Amazing recipe. Thank you!
Glutarama says
Thank you for taking the time to pop back and leave some feedback Grace (beautiful name BTW).
Jo says
This is my favourite bliss ball recipe as the ginger with dark chocolate really wakes up the taste buds!
A really satisfying treat accompanied by a cup of green tea!
I keep them in the freezer and thaw one out each day.
I prepared my own ginger in syrup as unavailable to buy locally or on line.
Glutarama says
What lovely feedback and how clever that you make your own ginger in syrup too, I must give that a try myself. Rebecca x
Beth Sachs says
I’ve been on the lookout for a healthy but filling post work-out snack! I bet the ginger gives them a lovely warmth. Like you mentioned, I expect they are great for that mid afternoon energy slump too!
Glutarama says
Indeed they are Beth – in fact, when we’re allowed to go swimming again, I’ll be making for just that reason.
Eb Gargano | Easy Peasy Foodie says
Yum! These look delicious. I do love a bliss ball :-D Eb x
Glutarama says
Can’t go wrong with a perfectly portioned bliss ball :-D
Kat (The Baking Explorer) says
Ginger and chocolate are SO good together, I bet these taste amazing!
Glutarama says
They really are and hit the sweet spot too!
Janice Pattie says
Just the mention of ginger and I’m in! These sound great and perfect for the school holidays to fill up those hollow legs.
Glutarama says
Haha, hollow legs, my sister had those growing up and now my kids and her boys have them too!
Jacqui – Only Crumbs Remain:Recipes Made Easy says
I confess I have never made bliss balls but they do look rather yummy. I will pin to make later.
Glutarama says
Thank you Jacqui and do try them, you’ll be hooked, plus theyre so easy and versatile if you want to tweak ingredients.
Sheeba says
Love these healthy delicious bliss balls. They look delicious and are so easy to make too. I will try these after my next workout session!
Glutarama says
I’m so glad you like the idea. I had two yesterday afternoon when I realised my concentration was lapsing – I’d been at my desk for quite some time, so i had a 10min break from the laptop, two bliss balls and i was raring to go again.
Melissa Altman-Traub says
These look really good. Do you need a specific type of blender for the cashews?
Glutarama says
I have a Kenwood all in one mixer with food processor that I use but if blending just a handful of nuts I’ll actually use my Breville Soothie Maker!
emma amoscato says
Ha ha, I’m so guilty of doing that too! These look like a really great, healthy snack that still feel like a treat.
Glutarama says
I think the general consensus is that we all are (reassuring!) still haven’t made some more (promised myself I would this week) need to MAKE time! ;-)
Eb Gargano / easypeasyfoodie.com says
Ooh – yum, I love bliss balls and the like. So great to have a stash or ‘not naughty’ snacks that also just happen to taste delicious…and yes I recognise that ‘hooray, I’ve made it to the sofa at last treat’ thing!! One of the happiest moments of my day :-) Obviously all the other ones involve my children – honest! Thanks for linking up to #CookBlogShare :-) Eb x
Glutarama says
tee-he-he, trouble is the early evening sofa celebration has become quite a routine for me…so I had to think up something healthier to munch on else I’d start to look like Jabba the hutt plonked there! Actually…making a new batch today, this time using apricots :-)
Kirsty HIJACKED By Twins says
I love raw snacks like these, dates are a great ingredient! These look and sound so yummy! x #CookBlogShare
Glutarama says
…and you know what the best thing about them…QUICK! So it’s a sweet craving win-win ?
Kate - Gluten Free Alchemist says
Great flavours Rebecca. I can see why they all got eaten before you managed to photograph them xx
Glutarama says
He he, it’s not the first time that’s happened Kate! ?
Chloe says
Hi, I love these type of snacks. I’ve not found any with ginger so I shall be giving this a try with fresh ginger. I’m sure that they won’t last ?. Thanks for sharing, Chloe #FreeFromFridays
Glutarama says
It’s definitely worth a try with fresh ginger, a friend of mine was actually talking about dried ginger today…like dried mango slices…not seen this before but I imagine this would work wonderfully too. I’ll have to do some detective work ? thanks for dropping by Chloe x