Name: Cranberry Bliss Balls
Prep time: 10 min
Total time: 15 min
Ingredients: 1 cup dried cranberries (unsweetened*); 1 cup raw cashews (unsalted); 2 pieces medjool dates (pits removed); 1 tablespoon chia seeds; 1 tablespoon maple syrup; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 1 pinch salt

Jump to Recipe Leave a review

Cranberry Bliss Balls, a simple 10-minutes snack ball recipe with dried cranberries, cashews, dates, and chia seeds. Great as a snack, quick breakfast, or sweet treat!

small cranberry and nut snack balls on a white plate on a white table

Recipe Snapshot

TIME: under 15 minutes, short ingredient list
PROS: perfect for grab-and-go snack
PREP: make once, enjoy all week long
PLANTS: dried cranberries, dates, cashews, chia seeds

Love the tart taste of dried cranberries? Make them into a simple ball snack! These “bliss balls” with cranberries come together in 10 minutes and are high in plant-based protein and fiber.

👉 Ready to learn how to make bliss balls with cranberries? Let’s do it!

Table of Contents hide

1 Recipe Snapshot

2 🎥 Recipe video

3 👉 Ingredients

4 🥣 How to make (step-by-step photos)

5 ❓ Recipe questions + quick tips

6 💡 Ideas for serving

7 🧊 How to store

8 👉 More plant-rich energy bites

9 Get my meal plan!

10 Cranberry Bliss Balls

🎥 Recipe video

Watch me make these cranberry energy bites! 👇

SUBSCRIBE ON YOUTUBE!

👉 Ingredients

Cranberries: dried cranberries are the base of this recipe; I chose unsweetened, but if using sweetened you may not need the additional maple syrup
Dates: dates are added to provide a sticky texture to the balls, and also include some sweetness
Cashews: add crunch and protein to the balls; you can substitute other nuts or even larger seeds like pumpkin seeds
Chia seeds: add fiber and nutrients, and also help the balls stick together because they become gel-like when wet
Flavorings: a touch of maple syrup (optional), vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt
Recommended tools: food processor or high powered blender

bowls of dried cranberries, cashews, chia seeds, dates, vanilla, maple syrup, and salt on a table for cranberry balls — Ingredients: cranberries, cashews, dates, chia seeds, vanilla, maple syrup, salt

🥣 How to make (step-by-step photos)

1️⃣ Step One: Chop dried cranberries

Before making the balls, first chop the dried cranberries into smaller pieces so they mix together more easily with the other ingredients.

To do this, simply add the cranberries to a cutting board and then use a knife to quickly chop until all cranberries are in smaller pieces.

2️⃣ Step Two: Blend ingredients

Next it’s time to blend all ingredients in either a food processor or high powered blender.

Start by first adding the cashews and blending on high under they are completely chopped and in smaller pieces.

Then add the chopped cranberries, pitted dates, chia seeds, maple syrup, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt. Then blend until all ingredients are chopped and mixed together.

blended cranberry bliss ball ingredients in a food processor — Blend all ball ingredients

3️⃣ Step Three: Roll into small balls

Finally it’s time to make the cranberry balls.

To do this, remove the mixed ingredients to a plate or bowl. Then scoop out 1 tablespoon of the mixture and roll into a ball with your hands.

Place the balls on a plate or in a container for serving. Then enjoy!

small cranberry bliss snack balls on a white plate on a white table

❓ Recipe questions + quick tips

Yes, absolutely! Any nuts will work well in this recipe, in particular almonds and walnuts are tasty with cranberries. Larger seeds like pumpkin seeds are a great nut-free alternative, but smaller seeds won’t chop and hold the ingredients as well.

No, you do not have to use dates in these cranberries balls. I’ve made them both ways and like the sticky texture and slightly sweet taste that they add, but you can just use the dried cranberries if you’d like.

Yes, the maple syrup can we left out of the recipe. However, it does add a small amount of liquid to the recipe that helps the ingredient hold together so if you find the ingredients too dry to mold into balls then add a small amount (1 tablespoon) of water to help create a stickier texture.

💡 Ideas for serving

Eat as a snack. Make a batch of the cranberry balls at the beginning of the week and eat as a snack throughout the week.
As a breakfast on the go. Need a quick on-the-go breakfast alternative? Eat 2 of these balls with a piece of fruit.
Keep as a nutritious sweet treat. Enjoy a ball or two after dinner as a whole food alternative to sweet desserts.

🧊 How to store

Refrigerator storage: Store in an airtight container on the counter for up to 3 days, or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Freezer storage: Freeze in a freezer-friendly container or bag for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator for 24 hours before eating.

cranberry, date, and cashew snack balls on a white plate

👉 More plant-rich energy bites

Want more easy plant-based energy ball recipes? Try my Green Matcha Energy Balls, No-Bake Brownie Bites, Coconut Lemon Balls, and Chocolate Peanut Butter Granola Bars.

a screenshot of Fork in the Road's 4-day plant-based meal plan

want to kickstart going plant-based?

Get my meal plan!

Subscribe and I’ll send you my FREE 4-day plant-based meal and prep plan.