Dragonfruit bliss balls [refined sugar free, perfect for Valentine’s Day]
Peeps, this is going to be a super quick post. But I have a feeling you might want to know more about these gorgeous dragonfruit bliss balls – since they’re perfect for Valentine’s Day! I mean – they’re pink, they’re quick, they’re delicious and they’re nutritious – so what’s not to like? Give them a go – and hope you have a wonderful day on Sunday, whether or not you’re celebrating Valentine’s Day.
Dragonfruit bliss balls – perfect for Valentine’s Day
I am not sure where along the way Valentine’s Day has become such a controversial day. To me, it’s simply about love. Whether or not you’re with someone, I’ve always thought it was a wonderful opportunity to show love to the people closest to you – whether that’s your partner, your kids, your parents, or friends.
Of course, even better than showing love one day of the year is to give proofs of love every day. But sometimes day to day life takes over and we lose sight of what’s most important – that there’s only love (is anyone else reading/has read The Happiness Project?). And so, having one dedicated day a year to show love is kinda nice.
And if you’d like to do something nice for your loved ones for Valentine’s Day but don’t want to go over the top, making these dragonfruit bliss balls is a nice idea – they are quick, so so pink, healthy and delicious. And you can absolutely share them with the whole family.
Do you celebrate Valentine’s Day? If so, how?
What ingredients you need for these dragonfruit bliss balls
The only unusual ingredient in these bliss balls are the dragonfruit chips. Yes, I know – not your usual grocery store fare. But, if you have a Costco membership, chances are that you’ll be able to find these pretty easily. What you’re looking for are dried pink dragonfruit chips, unsweetened.
The rest of the ingredients are more straightforward and you probably have them all in your pantry right now – nuts (raw and/or roasted), maple syrup, nut butter and desiccated coconut.
And that’s it, folks – so go check your local Costco (or search online) and surprise your loved ones! HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY ALL xx
PS: If you can’t find dragonfruit chips, you could sub in other dried fruit chips or try some of my other bliss ball recipes!
Recipe
Dragonfruit bliss balls [refined sugar free, perfect for Valentine’s Day]
Ingredients
- heaped 1/2 cup (about 60g) dried dragonfruit chips
- boiling water
- 1/2 cup roasted hazelnuts
- 1 cup raw almonds
- 2 tbsp maple syrup
- 2 tbsp nut butter (I used cashew)
- dessicated coconut (for rolling)
Instructions
- You will need a food processor for this recipe.
- Place the dragonfruit chips into a medium sized glass bowl and cover with boiling water. Leave to one side while you're preparing the rest of the recipe.
- Put the hazelnuts and the almonds into the food processor and blitz until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs.
- Drain the water from the dragonfruit chips (they should be soft by now – if not, leave them in the water a little longer) and place the drained dragonfruit into the food processor with the nuts. Blitz briefly together.
- Add the maple syrup and cashew butter into the food processor and blitz all until nearly smooth (you want a bit of texture left).
- Place about a cup of the desiccated coconut into a small bowl.
- Spoon out a small quantity of the mixture (about 1 to 1.5 teaspoons worth), roll it into a ball in the palms of your hands and then roll in the desiccated coconut. Place onto a plate or a platter, and continue rolling until the mixture has all been used up.
- Store in the fridge, and try to eat within a week.
Notes
64 Comments
Pauline
Hi Katerina, I’ve just found your blog and this post, and I would love to try your Dragonfruit bliss balls.I’ve never seen the dried chips, but then I live in tropical North Queensland where they grow in abundance and when fruiting, they are everywhere for sale. We don’t actually grow them though. I wonder if we could dehydrate them and then make these balls, in the meantime I’ll look out for these chips. Great idea, thanks so much, Pauline
Katerina
Hi Pauline, thanks so much for your comment! I dare say that would work – it’s likely to be the exact same thing. Let me know how you go!
sherry
dried dragonfruit chips? never heard of ’em but they sound exotic. we saw some dragonfruit at the grocer’s the other day; they are so gorgeous. your balls look so pretty 🙂
Katerina
Thanks so much Sherry, appreciated!
Valerie
Oh, my gosh, these look so good! I am a fan of dragon fruit, so I would love to make this! Thanks for sharing the recipe!
http://roadesque.com
Katerina
Thanks so much, Valerie, appreciated!
Jeff the Chef
I like your take on Valentines Day. In general, I feel that VD’s emphasis is on romantic love, and that it comes from an era in which all of us were expected to be in a relationship. Don’t get me wrong – I’ve always been a relationship-oriented person. What I don’t like is a society that makes people feel pressured into being in one, whether that’s what they truly want or not. What I also don’t like is the fairytale images that society likes to thrust upon the idea of romantic love … but I digress. Things have changed. Little by little, the pressure to be in a relationship is going away, and what a relationship is, is also opening up. As these things happen, Valentines Day will have to change along with them. So, I vote that we take your approach – especially in the day-to-day that you mentioned.
Katerina
Thanks so much Jeff – I’m happy you agree! Hope you had a great Valentine’s Day.
Balvinder
I need to try this recipe out! I love different types of energy bites and I really feel like I should get dragon fruit on my next gorcery trip.
Katerina
I hope you’ll be able to find it! Thanks very much Balvinder
Allie Mackin
Oh these sound sooooo good! And yep perfect fof Valentines Day and they are super pretty to look at too! I have heard of this book but I have not read it.
Allie of
http://www.allienyc.com
Katerina
Thanks so much Allie!
Judee
I always know where to come to look for a healthy delicious looking dessert. My son is very particular and doesn’t eat refined sugar. This dragonfruit and nut dessert is perfect for him. Thanks for these wonderful recipes.
Katerina
I’m so glad, Judee! Thanks so much for your lovely comment.
lisaiscooking
I make something similar but with dried mango. Now, I have to go look for dragonfruit chips! They’re so pretty.
Katerina
Dried mango would be great in these! Thanks for sharing.
Laura
Katerina, these look amazing! Strangely, I’ve only recently tried dragon fruit, and so glad I did, it’s so tasty! These look healthy and so so yummy I can see why your kiddos love them!
Katerina
Thanks so much Laura! It’s a very intriguing fruit, I have to say!
Tasia ~ two sugar bugs
My girls are so smitten with dragon fruit and I know they will love these bliss balls! The color is just stunning!! I hope you had a lovely Valentine’s Day Katerina!
Katerina
Thank you Tasia, I really did!
Judi Graber
I don’t think I have ever seen dragon fruit in any of the stores where I shop. That must be where you get the red color. I love bite-size treats 🙂
Katerina
Thanks so much Judi, so do we!
Molly Pisula
I have never even heard of dragonfruit chips, but how cool! I love how pretty these little bliss balls are–you are right that they are perfect for Valentine’s Day. Will keep this on my to-do list for when I come across those chips!
Katerina
Thanks very much Molly – hope you’re able to find them!
Michelle | Sift & Simmer
Wowzas, these dragonfruit bliss balls are so pretty! My son loves dragonfruit so he’d be a fan of these 🙂 I just love that natural purple/pink hue!! Bravo!
Katerina
Thanks so much Michelle! Isn’t that colour stunning?
2pots2cook
So creative and great looking ! Must find dried dragonfruit chips !
Katerina
Thanks so much Davorka, good luck!
CoCo
These look so good, Katerina, and perfect for Valentine’s Day too! One of my sisters doesn’t eat refined sugar so I always appreciate your healthy recipes. It’s such a fun way to surprise her with a sweet treat. She will love these! Thanks so much for the recipes. Hugs and hope your Valentine’s Day weekend was a special one, CoCo
Katerina
Thanks very much CoCo, my Valentine’s Day was really lovely. Hope yours was too!
John / Kitchen Riffs
I didn’t know dragonfruit chips were a thing! Sound tasty — I’ll have to look for some. In part, so I can make this! What a creative recipe — thanks.
Katerina
Haha.. yes, who knew, right? Thanks very much John.
Lisa
These look delicious – I don’t think I’d be able to find dragonfruit chips very easily over here but I’m guessing any dried fruit (mango?) would work as well, even though they wouldn’t be pin k! 🙂
Katerina
Yes, I imagine any dried fruit will work! Let me know what you come up with, thanks Lisa!
Neil
I’ve pinned this recipe for next year Katerina. These look delicious. I’m afraid that what with Covid and the fact everything is shut here, Lynne and I don’t much feel much like celebrating anything. Christmas was cancelled and so this year was Valentines day. Hopefully next year though…..
Katerina
I’m sorry to hear that, Neil. Hopefully this will pick up for you later this year, fingers crossed!
Sophie
They look absolutely delicious! And I’ve never tried dragonfruit like this either so it looks like a fun recipe to try out.
Katerina
Thanks very much Sophie!
Lovely
These looks so yum and damn cute!
xoxo
Lovely
http://www.mynameislovely.com
Katerina
Haha, thanks so much Lovely, much appreciated.
Jill
I’ve never heard of dragonfly chips! What a fun Valentine’s Day treat!
Jill – Doused in Pink
Katerina
Yes, me neither until I spotted them at Costco a few weeks back, Jill! Hope you can find them too.
Laura Bambrick
I’m going to be on the lookout for dragonfruit chips! These bliss balls look absolutely scrumptious and I love the pretty color of them too!
Katerina
Thank you so much Laura – hard to believe the colour is all natural, isn’t it!?
jodie filogomo
I think I’ve seen dragonfruit chips at the store recently. This is something that would be perfect for us for a snack. Again, you have the best ideas Katerina,
XOXO
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
Katerina
Thanks so much Jodie, I really appreciate the compliment. Hope you and Rob are having a lovely Valentine’s Day!
Julia Rees
These look so delicious as well as so pretty, and I love that they’re healthy too!
The perfect guilt-free treat for Valentine’s Day
Julia x
https://www.thevelvetrunway.com/
Katerina
Thank you so much Julia, much appreciated. Happy Valentine’s Day!
Renuka Walter
Whoa! That’s a perfect ‘sweet’ surprise for a Valentine’s Day celebration! Thanks for the recipe, Katerina! 🙂
Katerina
Thanks so much Renuka, glad you think so!
Carrie @ Curly Crafty Mom
These look good and so colorful! Dragonfruit is something I haven’t had often, I think I’ve had it in a smoothie or two in the past.
Carrie
curlycraftymom.com
Katerina
I have to say the chips taste a lot stronger than fresh dragonfruit, Carrie, so worthwhile trying out if you can find them. Thank you and hope you’re having a lovely day!
Auggie
So interesting and delicious! I love that we only need dragonfruit chips to get the beautiful color. Perfect easy recipe for Valentine’s day indeed.
Katerina
Thank you so much Auggie! Hope you’re having a great day!
Holly
This looks like a very healthy snack to munch on without much guilt. How clever to use the beautiful color dragon fruits. I have not come accrosed the dried dragon fruits and better look out for it. Just love the purple hue on these balls. Pretty!
Katerina
Thanks so much Holly, I’m so pleased you like these!
Healthy World Cuisine
How fun! Have not seen dragon fruit crisps before but now will be on the lookout. Delicious and healthy snack for any time of the day. Happy Valentine’s Day!
Katerina
Thanks so much Bobbi! Enjoy your Valentine’s Day!
angiesrecipes
I love the natural purple colour from the dragonfruit. Can’t stand any food colouring. These bliss balls a bless 🙂
Katerina
Yes, I’m with you on that one, Angie! Why use artificial food colouring when you can get this gorgeous hue naturally!
Kathrine Eldridge
I have never tried dragonfruit so I am intrigued. These are perfect for Valentine’s Day!
https://www.kathrineeldridge.com
Katerina
Thanks so much Kathrine! Hope you have a great one on Sunday!
David @ Spiced
Dried dragonfruit chips? Awesome! I can say with near certainty that I’ve never come across these in the store. (Although rumor has it that Costco is trying to build a location in our area. Fingers crossed!) I love the color of these bliss balls – and the name, too! I’m with you on Valentine’s Day. For some reason, it’s become controversial, but that’s probably because people just like to protest stuff. Hah. For me, I’m all in – it’s a great excuse to open a bottle of wine and share it with a loved one!
Katerina
I love that attitude, David! Hope you have a fantastic Valentine’s Day!