Lime Coconut Energy Bites
on May 20, 2020, Updated Sep 05, 2024
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These no-bake lime coconut energy bites are easy to make in minutes with just 4 simple ingredients.
About the Recipe
This recipe is vegan, gluten-free and has no added oil or sugar. They travel well so are perfect for hiking, camping or lunch and snacking on-the-go. The lime and coconut give them a zesty tropical flavour and they’re quick and easy to whip up for a healthy snack or dessert!
The lime juice and zest really brightens these up! You can also try citrus in these No-Bake Lemon Pie Bars or for a similar recipe without lime, these No-Bake Cashew Coconut Balls and Cinnamon Date Coconut Balls are yummy too.
Ingredients
This list is not complete. Please see the recipe card at the end of the post for the complete ingredient list with measurements and detailed instructions.
- Dates: Any variety works, just make sure they’re soft and moist for best results. It’s important to use soft, moist dates in this recipe. If your dates are on the dry side, soak in hot water for 15 minutes then drain well before using.
- Coconut: Use fine or medium unsweetened shredded (desiccated) coconut.
- Cashews: Use “raw” cashews. They should have no added ingredients such as oil or salt. You can substitute almonds.
- Lime: You’ll need 1-2 limes to create the lime juice and lime zest. Orange or lemon can be used instead of lime for a variation.
Step by Step Instructions
Step 1. Make the lime juice and zest and set aside.
Quick Tip: You can use a citrus planer, fine grater or just a sharp knife to make the zest. Try to avoid the white bit and just get the outermost peel of the lime to avoid any bitterness.
Step 2. Add the cashews to your food processor and break them down into a coarse, grainy flour. It’s ok if there are some large bits left behind but they should be most broken down.
Step 3. Add the dates and process into a crumbly but sticky dough. You should be able to press the dough into clumps between your fingers.
Step 3. Add the shredded coconut, lime juice and lime zest and process into a thick, sticky dough that sticks together when you press it between your fingers.
If the dough is too crumbly (this can happen if your dates were too dry), add 1-2 tbsp warm water and process again. That should do the trick.
Step 4. Use your hands to roll the dough into balls. Feel free to coat the balls in shredded coconut for an extra treat!
FAQ
Yes. Just keep in mind it the balls will be sweeter and higher in sugar.
The balls can be stored in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks or freezer for up to 2 months. They’ll hold up well out of the fridge for 1-2 days if kept cool.
More Energy Balls
Lime Coconut Energy Bites
Ingredients
Instructions
- To make the lime zest, use a fine grater or citrus planer on the lime to accumulate 1 tsp of zest (the outer peel). Slice the lime in half and squeeze or use a citrus juicer to make 2 tbsp of juice in a small bowl or container.
- Place the cashews in a food processor and mix until broken down into a coarse, grainy flour. A few larger pieces left behind are ok.
- Add the dates and process until it forms a crumbly but sticky dough. Add the coconut, lime juice and zest and process until you the mixture sticks together when you press it between your fingers.
- Use your hands to roll the mixture into 15 balls.
Notes
Nutrition
This recipe was originally published on April 17, 2014.
Just made they are beautiful 🙂
Would love to try these but I am not sure what raw cashews are exactly, can you explain? Also are there only one kind of dates(I have never eaten them before).
I just made these and they are lovely. I could see rolling them in crushed pistachios, or even a few hemp seeds to up the protein. Or drizzled with chocolate. Or just eaten straight from the food processor by the spoonful.
Just saying.
Oh crushed pistachios would be delicious! Great idea! It would look pretty too 🙂 I love eating it straight from the food processor, lol…mmmmm. Thanks for letting me know!
I made these this weekend with a little extra lime juice and a splash of vanilla, and they are fantastic! They’ll definitely be in regular rotation in my kitchen. Thanks for sharing!
Dude. We may need to go into business together and put together ‘The Ultimate Snack and Energy Bites Cookbook’ – seriously!! I’m loving the tropical feel of these – and I’m dreaming of the beach! SO delish!
PS – pretty pics!!!
If we use pre-made cashew butter would it still be 1 cup? Thanks!
I’m not sure it would work with cashew butter, you need the nuts to be solid still. You could try looking up a recipe for homemade cashew butter and see how much 1 cup of cashews makes, then adjust from there but I think it will be too soft.
I just made them, and they are DELICIOUS! I mixed in some roasted pistachios and almonds with the cashews to give more variety in the nuts. Thanks for posting this recipe!
These look so so good! I am thrilled it’s the weekend, because I cannot wait to try these!
I found this on Pinterest. What a great idea! Do you think you could substitute a different type of nut instead of cashews? I’m wondering if almonds would work.
Thanks! You can definitely substitute almonds, I’ve actually made with both and they’re good either way 🙂 Enjoy!
These look amazing! I just might have to try them VERY soon! Thank you!
Definitely! Let me know how they are if you make them! Thanks for stopping by 🙂