These Peanut Caramel Bliss Balls are a delicious caramel peanut butter-like treat, made using just a few whole food ingredients! Great as a healthier snack option, these protein balls have no refined sugar. They’re dairy free too! Fast to make and so yummy to eat, these bliss balls may just become your favourite afternoon snack.
Made with whole foods – no peanut butter!
This nutritious bliss ball recipe has two key ingredients, peanuts and Medjool dates. It’s the Medjool dates that give these peanut bliss balls their caramel flavour and chewy texture. In terms of nutrition, peanuts are a great plant-based source of protein. They’re high in healthy fats and fibre, and rich in vitamins and minerals. Dates are also full of essential vitamins and minerals including B-vitamins and calcium. They too are a natural source of fibre, aiding digestion and a feeling of fullness. Dates are considered healthy in moderation, but remember they are high in naturally occurring sugar.
That naturally occurring sugar makes these bliss balls a treat and best for children over 18 months old. These bliss balls are toddler-approved, my Baby LJ (now nearly 2!) loves them! I do chop them in half for him though, to make devouring their chewy goodness more manageable 😁.
If you’re looking for a more indulgent treat for older family members, I’ve added chocolate to this recipe to make Chocolate Peanut Butter Slice.
Ingredients in Peanut Caramel Bliss Balls
You’ll need only five ingredients to make this delicious bliss ball recipe:
Peanuts – Use unsalted roasted peanuts. The type of peanuts used is really important to the final taste! Blanched/boiled peanuts won’t produce the same result.
Medjool dates – You’ll need pitted dates. Buying fresh whole Medjool dates and pitting them yourself is more economical, and easy to do. You can normally find them refrigerated in the fruit and vegetable section of the supermarket.
Coconut – Desicated.
Vanilla paste – Vanilla paste has a slightly stronger taste than extract, but you can substitute it if needed.
Salt – Just a half teaspoon is used to offset the sweetness of the dates and enhance flavour.
How to make Peanut Caramel Bliss Balls
You’ll need a high-powered food processor to chop the dates, with a small amount of water added to soften them. Add the remaining ingredients and blitz until finely chopped. Then roll into balls and chill before serving.
This is a seriously easy sweets recipe! You can have these date bliss balls prepared in about 5 minutes, depending on how fast you can roll them!
Thermomixer? Chop the dates with a small amount of water to soften them. Add the remaining ingredients and blitz until finely chopped. Then roll into balls and chill before serving.
You’ll find the recipe card below, with ingredient amounts and detailed steps for both regular and thermo cooker methods.
Storing
Store these Peanut Caramel Bliss Balls in the fridge or freezer. In the fridge, keep in an airtight container for up to 5 days. In the freezer, keep in an airtight container for up to 3 months.
Looking for another delicious treat? Try these chocolate tasting Cacao Bliss Balls! They use cacao powder and nibs instead of chocolate, and so are considered a little healthier than regular store-bought snacks 😊.
Peanut Caramel Bliss Balls
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Ingredients
- 2 cups Medjool dates pitted (270g) (Note 1)
- 3 tbs water hot
- 1 3/4 cup roasted peanuts unsalted (280g)
- 2/3 cup desiccated coconut (60g)
- 1 1/2 tsp vanilla paste
- 1/2 tsp salt
Thermo Cooker Instructions
- Put the dates and water into the mixing bowl. Chop for 20 seconds, speed 5, MC on. Mid chopping, pause if needed to scrape down the mixing bowl. Once finished, scrape down the mixing bowl. Chop for a further 10 seconds, speed 5, MC on.
- Add the peanuts. Chop for 20 seconds, speed 5, MC on. Scrape down the mixing bowl. Repeat.
- Add the coconut, vanilla paste and salt. Chop for 10 seconds, speed 7, MC on. Scrape down the mixing bowl and agitate if needed. Repeat twice.
- Use a tablespoon to scoop mixture and roll into balls. Best served chilled!
Conventional Instructions
- Using a food processor, blitz the dates and water together until finely chopped.
- Add the peanuts. Blitz again until finely chopped.
- Add the coconut, vanilla paste and salt. Blitz until well combined.
- Use a tablespoon to scoop mixture and roll into balls. Best served chilled!