These easy-to-make chocolate hazelnut bliss balls are loaded with protein, vitamins and minerals making them the perfect, healthy snack and pick-me-up!
You only need a handful of ingredients and maybe 5 minutes to make them! For these yummy snack balls, you may not even need a blender!!
Also, I want to give you two options on how to sweeten them! Try them both out to see which one you prefer!
Contents
These chocolate hazelnut bliss balls taste a bit similar to Ferrero Rochers, so I sometimes like to call these healthy Ferrero Rochers! Or maybe healthy Nutella Energy Balls… Anyways, both sound delicious, right?
Ingredients
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- hazelnuts (or hazelnut spread for no-blend option)
- cacao powder
- maple syrup or dates
- salt
- hemp seeds (optional, for more protein)
Hazelnuts: If you can, use raw hazelnuts, and ideally organic. For a “healthier” snack, you may choose to activate (and dehydrate) the nuts beforehand to lower the amounts of phytic acids.
(click the link to know more about anti-nutrients and to learn how & why to soak nuts).
Alternatively, you can also just use hazelnut spread. However, this might be a bit more expensive.
Cacao: I always choose cacao over cocoa because it’s the raw form, this means it hasn’t been processed. Cocoa is processed cacao so it has a lower nutritional value.
Maple Syrup/Dates: See instructions for both options. I like both versions but just choose one or the other, or try them both!
Hemp Seeds: If you like to increase the amount of protein in these chocolate hazelnut bliss balls, without the use of protein powder, add hemp seeds! See ‘variations’ for the quantity.
Instructions
I give you three different instructions for how to make these hazelnut bliss balls: 1) made with maple syrup & a blender, 2) made with dates & a blender, and 3) the no-blend option!
Hazelnut Bliss Balls made with Maple Syrup
Step One. Add all ingredients to a food processor or a high-speed blender and blend for about 30 seconds on a medium to medium-high speed. You may need to scrape down the sides as you go.
Stop processing as soon as you get that crumbly but sticky texture (you should be able to press it into balls that hold together). Be careful not to over-process because hazelnuts tend to release their oils very quickly.
Step Two. Scoop out spoonfuls (I used a heaped teaspoon per bliss ball) of the cacao-hazelnut mix and press it into balls. Roll in hemp seeds, shredded coconut or even chopped hazelnuts.
Hazelnut Bliss Balls made with Dates
Step One. I prefer using Medjool dates but you may use pitted dates as well. If using Medjool dates, you need to remove the seeds first.
Step Two. Add all ingredients to a food processor or a high-speed blender and blend for about 30 seconds to 1 minute on a medium-high to high speed until it comes together.
Step Three. Scoop out spoonfuls (I used a heaped teaspoon per bliss ball) of the cacao-hazelnut mix and press it into balls. Roll in hemp seeds, shredded coconut or even chopped hazelnuts.
No-Blend Option
Step One. In a bowl, mix hazelnut spread, cacao, maple syrup and salt (optional) until you achieve something like a sticky dough.
Step Two. Scoop out spoonfuls (I used a heaped teaspoon per bliss ball) of the cacao-hazelnut mix and press it into balls. Roll in hemp seeds, shredded coconut or chopped hazelnuts.
FAQs & Trouble-Shooting
My bliss balls are way too oily!
This means you’ve over-processed them. But don’t worry about it. In fact, if they’re a bit oilier it makes it easier for the hemp seeds/coconut to stick to the snack balls.
My bliss balls won’t stick together, what to do?
If you haven’t blended them for over a minute, keep blending! This will encourage the hazelnuts to release more of their oils. If it’s still too crumbly, add a bit of coconut oil.
Can I add more protein to these hazelnut energy balls?
Yes, you can. Hazelnuts are already a good source of protein but you can add another protein-rich ingredient like hemp seeds or other nuts.
Yes and no. Yes, these bliss balls are healthy because they’re loaded with protein, essential minerals and vitamins that add nutritional value.
However, I’m always careful about saying “healthy” because this word can mean many things.
So at the same time, I have to say no, they’re not necessarily healthy because they also contain sugar (even if it’s natural, that doesn’t matter, sugar is sugar).
Therefore, treat them as a special treat or dessert, not as something you can simply scoff down!
Substitutions
Hazelnuts: You can of course use other nuts in this recipe too, especially when you sweeten these chocolate hazelnut bliss balls with dates.
Cacao: Instead of cacao powder, you may choose to use cocoa powder which is simply processed cacao. For caffeine-free, you could try substituting cacao with carob powder!
Variations
Protein Hazelnut Bliss Balls: For more protein, add ½ cup/60g hemp seeds. You could also add 1 tablespoon of your favourite protein powder.
“Healthy Ferrero Rocher”: When you form the bliss balls, add one hazelnut per ball to go in the centre (just like Ferrero Rochers). And instead of rolling them in something, cover them with melted chocolate!
Equipment
For the blender versions, use a food processor with an S-blade or a high-speed blender. I used a Thermomix for the energy balls in the photos.
Storage
Keep these vegan bliss balls in an airtight container in the fridge for 2 weeks. They may even last longer than that!
My Top Tip
Process the hazelnuts first for about 10 seconds before adding the remaining ingredients. This results in a smoother texture!
📖 Recipe
Equipment
- 1 food processor or high-speed blender (optional, depending on recipe)
Ingredients
- 250g/ 2 cups raw hazelnuts
- 2-3 tbsp raw cacao powder
- ¼ tsp salt
- 2 tbsp maple syrup OR
- 10 Medjool dates or 18 small pitted dates
- 60g/ ½ cup hemp seeds optional, for more protein
Instructions
Bliss Balls made with Maple Syrup
- Add all ingredients to a food processor or a high-speed blender and blend for about 30 seconds on medium to medium-high speed.Stop processing as soon as you get that crumbly but sticky texture (you should be able to press it into balls that hold together).
- Scoop out spoonfuls (I used a heaped teaspoon per bliss ball) of the cacao-hazelnut mix and press it into balls. Roll in hemp seeds, shredded coconut or chopped hazelnuts.
Bliss Balls made with Dates
- If using Medjool dates, you need to remove the seeds first.
- Add all ingredients to a food processor or a high-speed blender and blend for about 30 seconds to 1 minute on medium-high to high speed until it comes together.
- Scoop out spoonfuls (I used a heaped teaspoon per bliss ball) of the cacao-hazelnut mix and press it into balls. Roll in hemp seeds, shredded coconut or chopped hazelnuts.
No-Blend Option
- In a bowl, mix 250g/8.8oz hazelnut spread, cacao, maple syrup and salt (optional) until you achieve something like a sticky dough.
- Scoop out spoonfuls (I used a heaped teaspoon per bliss ball) of the cacao-hazelnut mix and press it into balls. Roll in hemp seeds, shredded coconut or chopped hazelnuts.
Notes
- Storage: Keep these vegan bliss balls in an airtight container in the fridge for 2 weeks. They may even last longer than that!
- My Top Tip: Process the hazelnuts first for about 10 seconds before adding the remaining ingredients. This results in a smoother texture!
