Cranberry Bliss Balls

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

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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.

๐Ÿ‘‰ Ready to learn how to make bliss balls with cranberries? Let’s do it!


๐ŸŽฅ Recipe video

Watch me make these cranberry energy bites! ๐Ÿ‘‡

YouTube video

๐Ÿ‘‰ 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

๐Ÿฅฃ How to make (step-by-step photos)

1๏ธโƒฃ 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.


2๏ธโƒฃ 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.

Chop cashews

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

3๏ธโƒฃ 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

โ“ 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.


๐Ÿ’ก 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.

๐ŸงŠ How to store

  1. Refrigerator storage: Store in an airtight container on the counter for up to 3 days, or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
  2. 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

๐Ÿ‘‰ 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
NOT SURE WHERE TO START WITH PLANT-BASED EATING?

Get my 4-Day Plant-Based Meal Plan to start your journey on the plant path.

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

Cranberry Bliss Balls

Kristina Todini, RDN
Cranberry Bliss Balls, a simple plant-based snack ball recipe with dried cranberries, cashews, dates, and chia seeds. Great as a snack, quick breakfast, or sweet treat!
5 stars (2 ratings)
Prep Time 10 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Course Breakfast + Brunch
Cuisine Gluten Free, Vegan
Servings 10 balls
Calories 122 kcal

Equipment

  • 1 food processor or high-powered blender

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

Instructions
 

  • Chop cranberries: Chop cranberries into small pieces and add to the bowl with the blended ingredients.
    1 cup dried cranberries
  • Blend ingredients: Blend cashews in food processor or blender until completely chopped. Then add chopped cranberries, dates, chia seeds, maple syrup, vanilla, and a pinch of salt and pulse with the chopped cashews until completely mixed. Remove mixture to a mixing bowl or plate.
    1 cup dried cranberries, 1 cup raw cashews, 2 pieces medjool dates, 1 tablespoon chia seeds, 1 tablespoon maple syrup, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, 1 pinch salt
  • Roll into balls: Using your hand, roll about 1 tablespoon into small balls.
  • To store and serve: Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator or on the countertop until ready to eat.

Video

YouTube video

Notes

  • Sweetener tip*: If using sweetened dried cranberries you can omit the maple syrup.
  • Prep ahead: Make this recipe up to five days ahead of time and enjoy throughout the week.
  • Leftovers and storage: Store in an airtight container on the counter for up to 3 days, or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Freeze in a freezer-friendly container or bag for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator for 24 hours before eating.

Nutrition

Serving: 1ballCalories: 122kcalCarbohydrates: 16gProtein: 3gFat: 6gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0.002gSodium: 6mgPotassium: 102mgFiber: 1gSugar: 11gVitamin A: 1IUVitamin C: 0.1mgCalcium: 16mgIron: 1mg
Keyword cranberry bliss balls, snack balls
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