Recipe: Apricot Coconut Bliss Balls

These apricot coconut bliss balls are so easy to make with only a handful of ingredients. The combination of chewy dried apricots, coconut and oats gives them plenty of texture without needing refined sugar, while a little orange zest adds a fresh brightness that works beautifully with the apricots. They're also wonderfully simple to make with little helpers because there is no baking involved. Once everything has been blended together, the kids can help roll the mixture into balls and coat them in coconut.

These are the best kinds of recipes to prep with the kids on the weekend for busy weeks ahead, because they don't require much planning and can be made well ahead of time. Keep a container in the fridge and you'll have something wholesome to reach for when the afternoon hunger arrives, whether that's after school, before heading out to the park or alongside a cup of tea when (if!) you get a moment of downtime to yourself!

Makes: approximately 12–14 bliss balls
Prep time: 15 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 cup dried apricots

• 1 cup rolled oats

• ¾ cup desiccated coconut, plus extra for rolling

• 2 tablespoons almond butter or smooth peanut butter

• 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup

• 1 tablespoon chia seeds

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• Zest of ½ an orange

• 1–2 tablespoons water, as needed

Method
1. Place the dried apricots, rolled oats, coconut, almond butter, maple syrup, chia seeds, vanilla and orange zest into a food processor.

2. Process until the mixture is finely chopped and begins to come together. It should be sticky enough to hold when pressed between your fingers. If it feels a little dry, add the water one tablespoon at a time and process again.

3. Take small handfuls of the mixture and roll between your palms to form balls. If you're making these with children, this is the wonderfully messy part where perfection really doesn't matter.

4. Roll each ball in a little extra desiccated coconut, gently pressing it onto the surface so it sticks.

5. Place in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to firm up before serving.

Storage
Keep the bliss balls in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week. They can also be frozen for up to 3 months, making them an easy snack to prepare ahead of time.
For a slightly different version, try adding a pinch of cinnamon, swapping the orange zest for lemon zest, or stirring through a small handful of finely chopped pumpkin seeds for a little extra crunch.