Ultimate Bliss Balls Guide | No Food Processor Needed!

This is your ultimate guide for making bliss balls without a food processor. Learn what goes into making them and get some inspiration for creating your own recipes with ingredients that are already in your pantry.

I've included a few links to some of my favorite protein and superfood powders in case you want to check them out, but you're encouraged to use whatever you have on hand. I've only linked products I actually use and love!

Note: I've included some Amazon affiliate links, so I may get a small commission from any qualified purchases at no additional cost to you. Thank you!

Now let's get on to the good stuff!

Peanut butter pumpkin spice bliss ball

Bliss balls are bite-sized snacks that are perfect for grabbing on the go or filling in for breakfast or dessert. You will find endless ways to get creative making them once you have a basic understanding of how to put them together.

All bliss balls require a few components. As long as you include an ingredient from each category, you can mix and match to come up with your favorite flavor combinations! I've focused on sweet recipes here, but you can also switch it up and make savory bliss balls. I highly recommend checking out Caitlin's recipes over at From My Bowl.

The Ingredients

Here's a list of the parts you will need for the perfect bliss ball recipe every time. I've listed several examples of each component to give you some ideas. Find recipe inspiration at the bottom!

Solids

The texture and substance of your bliss balls. These should be cut up into small pieces if they aren't already - aim for pea-sized pieces. Choose items that are primarily dry and shelf stable. Fresh fruit and squishy ingredients don't work as well and will give your bliss balls a shorter expiration.

• Chopped nuts

• Dried fruit (try: goji berries, figs, blueberries, crushed banana chips)

• Cacao nibs

• Rolled oats

• Crushed pretzels

• Seeds (try: chia, hemp, sunflower, pumpkin)

• Shredded coconut

• Puffed grains (try: rice, quinoa, amaranth)

• Baking chips (try: chocolate, peanut butter)

Powders

Adding powders to your bliss balls helps them stick together and gives them more of a baked goods feel. This is a great way to add extra protein to your bliss balls too. Depending on the binders you choose (see below), a powder may not be completely necessary, but I find this leads to a better final consistency.

Note: If using flour, make sure to choose a flour that can be eaten raw. This means no all-purpose or wheat flour!

• Flour (try: coconut, almond, oat)

• Protein powder (I like Orgain and Vega)

• Cacao powder

• Flaxseed meal

• Powdered peanut butter

• Small amounts of dried herbs and spices (try: cinnamon, nutmeg, cayenne, dried mint)

Binders

The glue that holds your bliss balls together. Use the thicker examples here for the majority of your binding, then add a splash or two of the liquid options if needed. If you use a fruit or veggie puree, be sure to consume or throw them in the freezer to avoid spoilage.

• Nut and seed butters (try: peanut, almond, sunflower, tahini)

• Jams and jellies

• Date paste or finely chopped dried dates

• Mashed bananas

• Pumpkin puree

• Plant milks (use sparingly)

• Maple syrup (use sparingly)

• Honey (use sparingly)

Superfood Boosters (Optional)

Not mandatory, but fun and healthy! Use these sparingly so as not to overwhelm the other flavors of your bliss balls. Pair more heavily flavored superfoods such as ashwagandha, with more strongly flavored bliss ball recipes.

• Maca (I like red and yellow)

• Matcha

• Ashwagandha

• Spirulina

• Camu camu

• Moringa

• Turmeric

• Chlorella

• Maqui

Putting It All Together

Once you decide which ingredients you want to use, it's time to start mixing everything together! I like to set out a station with all my possible ingredients and come up with combinations as I go.

Grab one big bowl for mixing and a small plate for coating your bliss balls. You will also need a large plate or tray to set your completed bliss balls. I use a baking tray lined with a silicone sheet.

Bliss ball ingredient station

To Assemble Your Bliss Balls:

1. Mix your choice of dry ingredients together first. This includes solids, powders, and any superfood powders.

1. Add your binder(s) of choice. Start with thicker binders such as nut butters or date paste and add around 1/2 the amount of dry ingredients you used.

2. Mix everything up! If it's too wet, add a spoonful or two of a powder. Coconut flour is amazing at soaking up excess liquids. If it's too dry, add a splash of plant milk.

3. Your dough will be ready when everything just sticks together, but is drier than a paste. See in the picture above that all ingredients are combined and there is no loose powder or pieces, but the mixture is still fairly dry.

4. Roll a large spoonful between your palms to create balls. It should stick together and hold its shape. A small amount of residue on your hands is fine, but it shouldn't leave behind a ton of paste on your palms.

5. Optionally roll your bliss balls in a coating. This helps prevent them from sticking to each other or their container and makes them look like little desserts. :) Use any ingredients from the Solids category for this!

If they're a little soft or melty after being rolled, throw the tray into the freezer to help them set. These bliss balls can be stored in the fridge for up to 1 week, or in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Recipe Inspiration

I try to keep a container full of different bliss balls in my freezer at all times so I always have them on hand when I need a quick breakfast or am craving something sweet. Here's my latest batch and a list of the ingredients used for each! No measurements since I eyeball everything and keep adding ingredients until I get a consistency I like.

Top to bottom: Coconut berry crumble, peanut butter pumpkin spice, mocha energy balls

Coconut Berry Crumble

• Rolled oats

• Chopped dried dates

• Coconut flour

• Flaxseed meal

• Chia seeds

• Triple berry jam

• Cinnamon

• Pinch of salt

• Yellow maca powder

• Coated in: hemp seeds and pumpkin seeds

Peanut Butter Pumpkin Spice

• Chopped walnuts

• Vanilla bean protein powder

• Coconut flour

• Flaxseed meal

• Chopped dried dates

• Hemp seeds

• Peanut butter

• Pumpkin pie spice

• Cinnamon

• Nutmeg

• Pinch of salt

• Splash of oat milk

• Ashwagandha powder

• Coated in: hemp seeds and pumpkin seeds

Mocha Energy Balls

• Cacao powder

• Cold brew protein powder

• Chopped walnuts

• Chia seeds

• Cacao nibs

• Flaxseed meal

• Peanut Butter

• Splash of oat milk

• Red Maca powder

• Coated in: hemp seeds

If you try any of these or have another favorite bliss ball recipe, I'd love to hear it! Thanks for reading and let me know if there are any other recipes you would like to see here.

Much love,

A