These Chocolate Cranberry Bliss Balls are the perfect little snack! Made with sweet-tart dried cranberries, rich cacao, and creamy almond butter, they’re bursting with flavor. These quick and easy no-bake treats are gluten-free, vegan, and refined sugar-free.
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Chocolate Cranberry Bliss Balls Recipe
Looking for an easy, dairy-free and gluten-free snack you can whip up in 15 minutes? Say hello to your new favorite: Chocolate Cranberry Bliss Balls! Whether you call them energy balls, protein balls, raw balls, or power bites, these hearty little treats pack a flavorful punch and are way better (and more budget-friendly) than store-bought versions.
I made these on repeat when I was postpartum and I’m so excited to share my go-to snack recipe. These bliss balls are fudgy, chocolatey, and nutty, with chewy bursts of sweet-tart dried cranberries to balance the richness. Their dense, thick texture makes every bite so satisfying. They’re everything you want in a snack — sweet and salty, decadent, and nourishing.
With healthy fats, protein, and fiber from almond butter, hemp seeds, and oats, they’re delicious and satiating. Plus, they’re free of refined sugars and artificial colors, flavors, and additives, making them a wholesome indulgence.
It’s a breeze to make them. Just mix the ingredients, roll into balls, and enjoy — no baking required! They’re perfect for meal prep, so you’ll always have a stash ready for a quick snack or “healthy” dessert.
Versatile and portable, these bliss balls fit right into your day. Grab them for a quick breakfast on-the-go, to tackle the mid-day slump, refuel post-workout, or pack them as the ultimate travel snack.
Kids and adults alike will love these chocolate cranberry bliss balls. Make a batch today and savor the bliss in every bite!
Looking for more easy dairy and gluten free snacks? Try the Best Gluten Free Dairy Free Protein Bars, N’Oatmeal and Raisin Cookies, Vegan Gluten Free Banana Bread, or these Gluten Free Pizza Rolls.
Ingredients
See the recipe card below for ingredient quantities.
- rolled oats – check the label to make sure they’re gluten-free.
- hemp seeds
- raw cacao powder
- sea salt
- almond butter – I used a smooth, creamy almond butter but they should still come together fine with a ‘crunchy’ type. Just make sure the oil is well-combined so the nut butter is drippy/runny.
- maple syrup
- dried cranberries – I used dried cranberries sweetened with apple juice to keep the bliss balls refined sugar-free.
- sesame seeds – optional, for rolling.
Ingredient Substitutions
- If you prefer, you can use cocoa powder instead of cacao powder.
- Use any runny nut or seed butter of your choice.
- Instead of dried cranberries, try dried cherries or fresh pomegranate arils.
How To Make Chocolate Cranberry Bliss Balls
Step 1. Combine Dry Ingredients
Add oats, hemp seeds, cacao powder, and sea salt, and mix.
Step 2. Add Liquids
Add maple syrup and almond butter and mix.
Step 3. Add Dried Cranberries
Add cranberries. I cut mine first.
Step 4. Shape the Bliss Balls
Use a 1 TBSP cookie scoop to scoop out balls of dough. Form balls with wet hands.
Then, roll bliss balls in sesame seeds (optional).
Step 5. Serve
Serve fresh or store in the fridge to firm up a bit or for later use.
Tips & Tricks
Nut Butter Consistency
Use a runny/drippy nut or seed butter with the oil well-combined which will help the balls come together easily.
Dough Consistency
If your mixture is a little too dry, add more maple syrup. If the mixture is too wet, you can add some more oats or hemp seeds, or refrigerate the formed bliss balls to let them set.
Adjust the Sweetness
If using cranberries sweetened with regular sugar, you may want to decrease the maple syrup a bit. If you want sweeter bliss balls, add more maple syrup.
Flavor Variations
You can use different nut or seed butters to create other flavors. If you’re using something like tahini, you may want to increase the sweetness. It’d pair great with dates. Experiment with other dried fruits for even more flavor combinations.
Add Protein Powder
Feel free to amp up the protein with a few TBSPs of your favorite protein powder. Remember to adjust the dough consistency if needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Since these bliss balls contain oats (a grain) they are not compliant with the elimination stages of the AIP diet.
If you’re looking for no-bake AIP treats, try my Chocolate Covered Eggs, Best Protein Bars, or Dairy Free Chocolate Mendiants which can all be made Modified AIP compliant.
Storage Instructions
- Fridge: Store bliss balls in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week.
- Freezer: Store bliss balls in a freezer-safe container in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight.
As the creator of an online dairy-free and gluten-free baking school, I understand how challenging it is to find dairy and gluten-free snacks that taste as delicious as their conventional counterparts. That’s why you’ll love my Chocolate Cranberry Bliss Bites! They’re super hearty, full of flavor, and naturally gluten-free and vegan. If you do, I would appreciate it if you would give the recipe a rating and review. Be sure to snap a picture of the finished product and share it with me on Instagram by tagging @healmedelicious and using the hashtag #healmedelicious.
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Chocolate Cranberry Bliss Balls Recipe
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 15 bliss balls 1x
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
These Chocolate Cranberry Bliss Balls are the perfect little snack! Made with sweet-tart dried cranberries, rich cacao, and creamy almond butter, they’re bursting with flavor. These quick and easy no-bake treats are gluten-free, vegan, and refined sugar-free.
Ingredients
- 1 cup gluten free rolled oats
- 1/4 cup hemp seeds
- 1/4 cup raw cacao powder
- 1/4 tsp sea salt
- 1/2 cup almond butter
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
- 1/4 cup fruit juice-sweetened dried cranberries, chopped
- sesame seeds (optional, for rolling)
Instructions
- In a large bowl, add rolled oats, hemp seeds, cacao powder, and sea salt, and mix together.*
- Add almond butter and maple syrup and mix together.**
- Add dried cranberries and stir together.***
- Use a spoon or cookie scoop to scoop out 1 TBSP-sized balls of dough. Wet hands and roll dough between your palms to form balls.
- Roll each ball in sesame seeds, either fully or partially, as desired (optional).
- Serve or store until ready to enjoy.
Notes
*Alternatively, you can make the dough in a food processor and pulse all the ingredients together.
**For sweeter bliss balls, add more maple syrup.
***I used apple juice-sweetened cranberries. If using cranberries sweetened with regular sugar, you may want to decrease the maple syrup a bit. Or, if using unsweetened dried cranberries, you may want to add more maple syrup.
Please note that I don’t provide nutritional information for my recipes as I am not a health or nutrition coach. However, if you’d like to get this information, I recommend plugging this recipe into a free online nutrition calculator.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Snacks
- Method: No Bake
- Cuisine: American
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