These apricot bliss balls are my go-to when I need a quick, healthy snack that works for lunchboxes, toddlers and that mid-afternoon cuppa. They're no-bake, naturally sweet, and made in minutes - just like my much-loved Peanut Butter Bliss Balls and Weetbix Bliss Balls that are always on repeat in our house.
A Quick Look At The Recipe
✅ Recipe Name: Apricot Bliss Balls
🕒 Ready In: 10 minutes
👪 Makes: 16 bliss balls
🍽 Calories: 127 per ball
🥣 Main Ingredients: dried apricots, rolled oats, coconut, chia seeds, coconut oil and rice malt syrup
📖 Dietary Info: nut-free | refined sugar-free | gluten-free option | vegan
⭐ Why You'll Love It: No-bake, naturally sweet and freezer-friendly, these apricot bliss balls are a lunchbox hero, toddler-approved snack, or the perfect little pick-me-up with a cuppa.
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I make these all the time and my kids love them, as do I!
- Yolanda
Everyone loves bliss balls - because they're quick, no-bake and actually keep hungry kids going. Unlike most recipes that rely on dates, these use dried apricots and coconut for natural sweetness, a soft chewy texture, and a flavour kids love.
They're the kind of snack that feels better than store-bought but takes almost no effort. Pair them with my Salted Caramel Bliss Balls for something a little richer, or pop a couple of Double Chocolate Bliss Balls into lunch boxes for extra variety.
Why You're Going To Love This Recipe
- No-bake, no drama. Just blitz, roll and you're done - no oven, no mess.
- Naturally sweet. Dried apricots bring the sweetness, with no refined sugar needed.
- Perfect for lunch boxes. These travel well and don't turn into a crumbly mess.
- Freezer-friendly win. Make a batch now and thank yourself later.
- Kid-approved. A wholesome snack even fussy eaters will actually eat.
- Thermomix or conventional. Choose your method!
Jump to:
Bliss Ball Ingredients
Made with simple ingredients and no unnecessary additives, these nut-free apricot bliss balls are a firm favourite around here.
- Chia seeds - Help everything stick together and add a little texture boost.
- Coconut oil (melted) - Adds healthy fats and helps the mixture bind smoothly.
- Rice malt syrup - Provides gentle sweetness and brings the mixture together (maple syrup or honey also work).
Variations
These apricot energy balls are super flexible - tweak them to suit your pantry (or your kids):
- Gluten-free option - Simply swap the rolled oats for puffed rice or extra coconut to make them gluten-free and school-safe.
- Citrus twist - Add 1 teaspoon of orange or lemon zest for a fresh, zesty lift.
- Chocolate lovers - Stir through 1-2 tablespoons of cocoa powder, or dip the finished balls in melted dark chocolate (very popular, trust me).
- Seed boost - Add sunflower or pumpkin seeds for extra crunch and goodness.
- Vegan-friendly: Use rice malt syrup or maple syrup instead of honey.
If you love mixing up flavours, these also pair perfectly with my 'Lamington' Bliss Balls or zesty Lemon Bliss Balls for a bit of snack variety.
How To Make Apricot Bliss Balls
Ridiculously easy. Just blitz, roll, and you'll have a batch ready in minutes - no oven, no stress.
Note: Scroll to the recipe card at the bottom for the ingredients quantities and full detailed method.
- Prepare Your Ingredients: Place the dried apricots into your food processor and pulse until finely chopped.
- Add Everything Else: Add the rolled oats, desiccated coconut, chia seeds, melted coconut oil and rice malt syrup (or your chosen sweetener). Blend until it starts to come together.
- Check Texture: If the mix is too crumbly to roll, add a teaspoon more rice malt syrup or coconut oil (or water) and pulse again. You want it sticky enough to hold together.
- Roll Into Balls: Scoop generous teaspoons and roll between your hands into bite-sized balls. Store in an airtight container in the fridge.
Recipe Tips
- Soft dried apricots = better bliss balls. Firmer dried apricots may need extra liquid to bind.
- Check the texture first. If it's crumbly, add a little more syrup, coconut oil, or a splash of water.
- Size to suit. Make them smaller for lunchboxes or slightly bigger for a proper energy hit.
- Chill before packing. Refrigerating helps them firm up and survive lunchboxes.
- Storage. Keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- Freeze-friendly. Freeze on a tray first, then transfer to a container for up to 3 months.
- Best eaten cold. Straight from the fridge is peak bliss ball territory.
- Batch it. Double or triple the recipe - they'll be perfectly thawed by morning tea.
Apricot Bliss Balls FAQs
Yes! They're already nut-free. To make them gluten-free, simply swap the rolled oats for puffed rice or extra coconut, or use rolled oats that the certified GF.
No - fresh apricots are too watery and the balls won't hold together. Dried apricots are essential for binding and texture.
Absolutely. Add 1-2 tablespoons, then check the texture - you may need a tiny splash of liquid so they still roll nicely.
You can use a strong blender, but it's trickier and you'll need to stop and scrape often. A food processor or Thermomix are easiest.
More Healthy Bliss Ball Recipes
Bliss balls are endlessly versatile - feel free to substitute ingredients based on what you have on hand, or boost the flavour with your favourite nuts and seeds.
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Apricot Bliss Balls
Ingredients
- 190 g (1 cup) dried apricots
- 70 g (¾ cup) rolled oats
- 20 g (¼ cup) desiccated coconut
- 1 tbs chia seeds
- 2 tbs coconut oil melted
- 2 tbs rice malt syrup or maple syrup or honey
Instructions
Conventional Method
- Place apricots into a food processor and chop finely.
- Add the rolled oats, coconut, chia seeds, coconut oil and rice malt syrup and mix together.
- Check the mixture and if it's too crumbly to roll into balls, add a little more rice malt syrup and mix again.
- Roll into balls and store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days (or in the freezer for up to 3 months).
Thermomix Method
- Place apricots into the Thermomix bowl and mix for 5 seconds, Speed 8. Scrape down the sides of the bowl.
- Add the rolled oats, coconut, chia seeds, coconut oil and rice malt syrup and mix together for 10 seconds, Speed 6.
- Check the mixture and if it's too crumbly to roll into balls, add a little more rice malt syrup and mix again for 2-3 seconds.
- Roll into balls and store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days (or in the freezer for up to 3 months).
Notes
- Taste & Adjust - Before rolling, press a little in your hand - if it's dry, add more syrup or coconut oil (or a splash of water).
- Refrigerate First - Chilling helps them firm up and keeps them intact in lunch-boxes.
- Store Airtight - Keep in fridge for up to 5 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
- Double or Triple the Batch - These freeze beautifully - great for meal prep and 'grab n go' snacks - they'll be thawed by morning tea time!
Sandy says
I just made a double batch of these for the first time and they are so easy and super delicious. My boys love them as well and think they are candies! When I doubled the recipe I was about 30g short of apricots, so I substituted a few dates in place of the apricots and it worked perfectly. The consistency was great first time round. I'll definitely be making these often for easy go-to-healthy-snacks.
Ligia says
Did this today for a birthday celebration instead of the Brazilian brigadeiros that I used to do. Much more nutritious, easier to bake and roll into balls. Will keep this recipe and repeat in the future. Great flavour, thanks!
Adonica says
Can you make these with fresh apricots over dried?
Lucy says
Hi Adonica, I haven't personally tried this as fresh apricots would have too much liquid for the recipe to work as is. You could try but you'd also need to up the dry ingredients to compensate.