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Apricot, Cashew and Pumpkin Seed Bliss Balls

October 6, 2020 by Monique 7 Comments

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Tasty, chewy and nutritious bliss balls made with dried apricots, creamy sweet cashews and crunchy pumpkin seeds. Gluten free, dairy free and high protein, these are a lovely little healthy snack.

Published: May 2016 | Updated: October 2020

Blue rectangular plate with apricot bliss balls on top rolled in coconut, white table background

Bliss balls are a favourite healthy snack of mine, they’re perfect for a quick energy boost when you’re on the go. I also think they’re pretty nice for a healthier dessert option when you just want a little something sweet, you know? Nothing too over the top (I also really like my Lemon, Cashew and Coconut Energy Balls dessert!).

These apricot, cashew and pumpkin seed bliss balls combine some of my favourite snack ingredients. Dried apricots are deliciously chewy, high in fibre and interestingly, contain a relatively high amount of iron! Combined with creamy cashews and the crunch of pumpkin seeds, you have one tasty bite.

small white scalloped bowl filled with apricot bliss balls, white napkin and honey to side

What you need to make apricot bliss balls

Add these items to your shopping list or check your pantry and see what’s already tucked away in there:

  • dried apricots
  • cashews
  • pumpkin seeds
  • cinnamon
  • vanilla or unflavoured/natural protein powder (*you can substitute rolled oats or quinoa flakes)
  • honey or maple syrup
  • desiccated coconut, for rolling (optional)

You can make these with a protein powder or alternatively with rolled oats or quinoa flakes, depending on your preference. If you are going to use protein powder I highly recommend vanilla flavour as I think it works really well, but an unflavoured one will also do.

For a dairy free recipe, please make sure your protein powder is dairy free! So, not whey protein. Use something like brown rice protein, pea protein or hemp protein instead. There are so many good vegan protein powder options these days!

small blue rectangular plate of apricot bliss balls rolled in desiccated coconut, dish of honey in background

I really love these bliss balls because they are DIFFERENT. Pretty much all fruity protein balls like this are made with a base of medjool dates, and while I love those too, it’s nice to mix it up. Dried apricots are so underrated! They have such an amazing flavour.

One little thing to mention is that the colour of these bliss balls is going to change quite dramatically depending on whether you use standard dried apricots or natural (preservative free) dried apricots. The 100% natural ones will be a really dark orange-brown colour, whereas the standard ones are the lighter orange ones you’re probably used to seeing in the store. Both will work in this recipe, it really doesn’t matter!

White scalloped bowl filled with apricot bliss balls coated in desiccated coconut, honey stirrer to the background, light white table

Either way, these apricot, cashew and pumpkin seed bliss balls are delicious, easy to make and better still, you can freeze them. They will last for a few months in the freezer and it’s great to have a healthy snack or dessert on hand when ever you need it. (If they last that long!) When I make bliss balls I usually make an extra large batch (double the recipe) all at once then pop half in the freezer.

If you make this recipe, let me know! Leave a comment below or take a picture and share it on Instagram tag me @moniquecormacknutrition so I can see it 🙂

Apricot, Cashew and Pumpkin Seed Bliss Balls Recipe Pin
small white scalloped bowl filled with apricot bliss balls, white napkin and honey to side

Apricot Cashew and Pumpkin Seed Bliss Balls

Tasty, chewy and nutritious apricot cashew pumpkin seed bliss balls are so easy to make. Gluten free, dairy free, no added sugar and high protein.
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Course: Snacks and Bites
Cuisine: dairy free, gluten free, paleo, vegan
Prep Time: 20 minutes minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes minutes
Servings: 18 balls
Calories: 85kcal

Ingredients

  • 200 grams dried apricots approximately 1 cup, firmly packed
  • ¾ cup cashews
  • ½ cup pumpkin seeds
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • ½ cup vanilla or unflavoured protein powder – you can substitute 1/2 cup rolled oats or quinoa flakes
  • 2 tbsp honey or maple syrup
  • 2 tbsp water
  • ½ cup desiccated coconut for rolling (optional)

Instructions

  • Place apricots and cashews into a food processor and process until the apricots are blended and the cashews have formed a fine crumb.
  • Add the protein powder, cinnamon, honey and water to the processor and blend again until well combined.
  • Finally, add in the pumpkin seeds. Pulse just enough so the pumpkin seeds break into smaller pieces, but large enough so you get some crunch through the mix.
  • Scoop out heaped tablespoons of the mixture, pressing together with your fingers, and roll into balls. Roll in desiccated coconut if you like, but they won’t be too sticky so you can skip this if you prefer.
  • Pop the balls into a container and store in the fridge for up to 2 weeks, or keep them in the freezer where they’ll keep for a few months.

Notes

*Nutrition Facts have been calculated with the recipe making 18 balls, and not including the optional desiccated coconut (it shouldn’t make a huge difference as not all of it sticks to the balls, and it was difficult to estimate just how much you’d actually consume!)
*For a dairy free recipe, please make sure your protein powder is a dairy free option! So, not whey protein. Use something like brown rice protein, pea protein or hemp protein instead. There are so many good vegan protein powder options these days!
Have you made this recipe?I love seeing your creations! Take a photo and then tag me @nourish.everyday on Instagram!

Nutrition

Calories: 85kcal (4%) | Carbohydrates: 11g (4%) | Protein: 4g (8%) | Fat: 3g (5%) | Saturated Fat: 1g (6%) | Cholesterol: 6mg (2%) | Sodium: 10mg | Potassium: 191mg (5%) | Fiber: 1g (4%) | Sugar: 8g (9%) | Vitamin A: 400IU (8%) | Vitamin C: 1mg (1%) | Calcium: 26mg (3%) | Iron: 1mg (6%)

| Images by Create Cook Share |

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Filed Under: Recipe, Snacks and Bites Tagged With: bliss balls, dairy free, freezer friendly, gluten free, healthy snacks, protein balls, protein powder, vegan, vegetarian

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Vanessa

    March 23, 2022 at 11:49 am

    Thanks for sharing! Does it keep long?

    Reply
    • Monique

      April 28, 2022 at 4:11 pm

      These will keep in the fridge for a few weeks, or you can freeze them up to 3 months 🙂

      Reply
  2. Suzanne

    March 23, 2022 at 11:48 am

    This looks so good! What a great healthy snack to have on hand!

    Reply
  3. Betija

    December 22, 2016 at 3:26 am

    How brilliant. I love the way these incorporate baobab, which creates jobs for those in areas of poverty-stricken Africa where baobab trees are abundant. I can’t wait to try these. Spread the goodness and kindness <3

    Reply
    • Monique

      December 22, 2016 at 10:58 pm

      Betija, thank you for this lovely comment! I love the unique flavour of baobab and feel they add an extra little zest to these balls. And I agree it’s also brilliant that supporting baobab also gives back something more to the world 🙂

      Reply
  4. Raia

    May 25, 2016 at 7:05 pm

    These sound like a delicious, healthy snack! Thanks for sharing them at Savoring Saturdays!

    Reply
    • Monique

      May 26, 2016 at 4:41 pm

      Thank you so much Raia! They are one of my current favourite snacks 🙂

      Reply

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Monique Cormack

I'm Monique, an accredited clinical nutritionist and creator of Nourish Everyday. I share my favourite healthy recipes on this blog! When I'm not blogging I work as an expert fertility and pregnancy nutritionist.

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