These easy Bliss Balls are chewy and lightly sweet from peanut butter, maple syrup and dried cranberries. Made with simple pantry ingredients like rolled oats, shredded coconut, pumpkin and flaxseed, this is a basic recipe but so reliable and tasty. It only takes 10 minutes to make them, in one bowl, with no prep, blender or cooking required. A delicious snack that keeps well, these are perfect for meal prep.
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As a mum, handheld snacks like these are a must-have in our house! We always need grab-and-go options, and they’re also the perfect filling treat with fiber and healthy fats to keep you satisfied between meals. I’ve made a bunch of bliss ball (also known as energy balls) and protein ball recipes this year since my son, Ollie, turned two and the toddler energy levels took our family snack-game up a notch. My Vegan Snickerdoodle Protein Balls are another delicious option if you’re prioritizing protein, or for a school-safe snack my Nut-Free Granola Bars. For a more grown-up snack, my Matcha Bliss Balls are delicious with a salty-sweet thing going on with creamy tahini.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- These bliss balls are so easy. One bowl, no blender, no mess. They’ll take you about 10 minutes.
- Made with pantry staples – nothing fancy, and no protein powder. Check out the ingredients section below for a shopping list.
- You can easily make it your own. Not a cranberry fan? Swap them out for chocolate chips or whatever dried fruit you like.
- They’re naturally sweet, packed with good stuff like oats, flaxseed, and pepitas, but still taste like a treat.
- They’re great for meal prep, too and will keep for about 4 days in the fridge.
Ingredients You’ll Need
You can find the full ingredient amounts in the recipe card at the very bottom of this post, but here’s a list of what you’ll need:
- Rolled oats
- Nut butter (almond, peanut, or cashew)
- Maple syrup or agave syrup
- Shredded coconut
- Ground flaxseed or chia seeds
- Pepitas (pumpkin seeds)
- Dried cranberries
- Vanilla extract
- Salt
Instructions
Here’s how to make these Bliss Balls – you can see from the photos it really is so easy! Jump to the recipe card for the ingredients measurements.
Step One: Add all ingredients to a large mixing bowl.
Step Two: Stir well until everything is evenly combined and the mixture starts to stick together.
Step Three: Let the mixture sit briefly to allow the flaxseed or chia to absorb moisture.
Step Four: Roll the mixture into small balls using your hands.
Step Five: Place the balls on a tray or plate and chill until firm.
Substitutions & Variations
Feel free to make it your own! Here are some go-to substitution ideas:
- Dried Fruit: You can also use raisins, chopped dried apricots, or dates.
- Nut Butter: Use whatever nut or seed butter you love. Peanut, almond, cashew. Or make it nut-free by swapping them out for my Homemade Sunflower Seed Butter or Pumpkin Seed Butter. Both are incredibly easy to make but so tasty.
- Sweetener: Maple syrup can be swapped for brown rice syrup or agave.
- Seeds: Flaxseed and chia both work here, so just use what you’ve got. I have tested this with whole and ground flaxseed. Ground is better but whole will work. It helps bind everything together and add a little nutrient boost of healthy fats (read more about the health benefits on Healthline).
- Add-Ins: Toss in some mini chocolate chips, a pinch of cinnamon, or a handful of chopped walnuts or pecans.
Storage
These Bliss Balls will be at their best for about 4 days but should be fine for up to 1 week in an airtight container in the fridge. You can also freeze them if you want to stock up – just layer with parchment so they don’t stick. They’ll last a couple of months in the freezer.
Expert Tips
Let the mixture rest for 5–10 minutes before rolling. This gives the flax or chia time to bind everything together.
FAQ
Yes, quick oats work fine. The texture will be a little softer, but the recipe still holds together well.
Yes! Just swap the nut butter for seed-based options like sunflower seed butter or tahini. Both work well to bind the mixture and still give a creamy texture. Make sure to double-check your other ingredients (like oats or add-ins) to keep everything nut-free.
Add a little more nut butter or maple syrup, one teaspoon at a time, until it sticks together easily. Sometimes oats soak up more than expected!
Serving Suggestions and More Recipes
These bliss balls are the perfect quick snack in between meals. Great as an energy boost after exercising, or for kids when you’re out and about.
If you’re looking for more wholesome snack ideas, try my no-bake Snickerdoodle Protein Balls, Matcha Bliss Balls or Breakfast Cookies (very easy but requires baking). My Vegan Bran Muffins and simple Banana Oatmeal Muffins are also delicious and healthy options if you’re up for baking.
I hope you love these Bliss Balls! Please leave a star rating or review below the recipe to let me know what you think. Or show me how they turned out by tagging me in your Instagram posts – I am @glowdiaries___ 🙂
Bliss Balls
Ingredients
- 1 cup rolled oats
- ¼ cup nut butter almond, peanut, or cashew
- ¼ cup maple syrup or agave syrup
- ¼ cup coconut shredded
- 2 tbsp ground flaxseed or chia seeds
- 2 tbsp pepitas pumpkin seeds
- 2 tbsp dried cranberries chopped if large
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
- ⅛ tsp salt a pinch
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine all ingredients and mix well until the mixture sticks together.
- Let it sit for 5–10 minutes to help the flax/chia absorb moisture.
- Roll into 1-inch balls.
- Chill for 20 minutes to firm up. Store in the fridge for up to a week.
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