Paleo Cranberry Bliss Bar Balls

These no-bake paleo (and vegan) copycat cranberry bliss bar balls are a lot healthier, a lot easier, and a lot tastier than the original Starbucks cranberry bliss bar recipe. Made with whole food ingredients like cashew butter, almond flour, maple syrup, pea protein, cranberries, and sea salt. In addition, they only take 20 minutes to make. That's a win-win if you ask me. 

Paleo cranberry bliss bar balls are also great to make during all seasons and don't need to be saved for the holidays. They're the perfect healthy, on-the-go snack option for anyone who needs a sweet treat that's low in carbs, and high in flavour. 

On a side note, I'm currently 21 weeks pregnant and the one thing I try to make sure I have prepped every single week is energy balls. I've done peanut butter balls, cookie dough balls, brownie balls, cookies and cream balls, and now this cranberry bliss bar ball recipe, and I am obsessed with these sweet snacks. I find myself getting hungry a lot more often then I used to, and often even waking up at 3am needing a snack so I can go back to sleep. I've found that having high fibre, healthy fat, and protein rich energy balls has been a life saver for me during this time. That being said, you definitely don't need to be in this phase of life to need a quality snack on hand at all times. 

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Why You'll Love These Paleo Cranberry Bliss Bar Balls 

• Just 7 ingredients needed.
• No need to turn on your oven for these no-bake cranberry bliss bar balls. 
• Paleo, vegan, plant-based, and naturally gluten free.
• Great for a quick snack or dessert. 
• Packed with healthy fats to keep you full.
• These paleo cranberry bliss bar balls pair perfectly with a cup or tea or coffee.

What You Need To Make These Paleo Cranberry Bliss Bar Balls 

• Cashew butter. This lends a really creamy and gently nuttiness to the bliss balls. 
• Almond flour, a grain free flour to keep these lower in carbs and higher in healthy fats. 
• Vanilla protein powder. I use Vedge nutrition for all my baking, smoothie, and yogurt bowls. It's high quality, non-GMO, organic, and third party tested. Use discount code: EVANNRYAN to save at checkout!
• Maple syrup. This adds a touch of sweetness, but also a necessary sticky texture to the dough so the paleo cranberry bliss bar balls can roll into perfect little bites. 
• Dried cranberries. In order to keep these fully paleo, you'll need to make sure your dried cranberries are completely sugar free. 
• White chocolate or coconut butter. For the paleo cranberry bliss bar balls you'll want to use melted coconut butter (not oil, butter!) for the top coating. Otherwise you can use melted vegan white chocolate. 
• Olive oil, but only if you're using melted white chocolate. If you choose to garnish the paleo cranberry bliss bar balls with white chocolate you'll have to melt it with a teaspoon of oil so it's nice and drippy.

Substitutions

I know cashew butter can be expensive. I've linked a lower cost one above, but if you would rather use another nut or seed butter, my recommendation would be tahini! 

If you'd rather skip the protein powder you can use more almond flour. Start with 1/4 cup extra and build from there until you reach a texture you can easily roll.

In place of maple syrup you can use any preferred liquid sweetener.

Rather skip the almond flour? Use oat flour! Just start with a little less and build a few tablespoons at a time so your dough doesn't get too dry.

Other Energy Ball Recipes You'll Love

Viral Brownie Balls

Cookies and Cream Brownie Balls 

Cookie Dough Ball (From my weekly meal prep plans!)

Storing The Cranberry Bliss Bar Balls 

The reason I love energy balls and protein balls so much is because they store so well for so long! Pop them in a good quality meal prep container and keep them in the fridge for a few weeks, or place them in the freezer for months! Just keep in mind you'll need to take them out of the freezer for about an hour before biting into them.

Please note: All calories and macros have been calculated to the best of my ability but may vary slightly. 

 

No-Bake Cranberry Bliss Bar Balls 

Recipe makes 15 balls 

Macros per balls (using white chocolate):

179 cals - 11g fat - 14g carbs - 6g protein 

 

Ingredients:

• 1 cup or 240g cashew butter
• 1 - 34g scoop Vedge Vanilla (or Cinnamon Roll) Protein Powder 
• 2/3 cup or 80g almond flour 
• 2 tbsp or 15ml maple syrup 
• 1/4 tsp or 1g salt 
• 1/2 cup or 80g dried cranberries, chopped
• 3 tbsp or 45g vegan white chocolate (sub coconut butter/coconut manna for paleo)
• 1 tsp or 5 ml olive oil

 

Instructions:

1. To a mixing bowl add: cashew butter, vanilla protein powder, almond flour, maple syrup, salt and chopped dried cranberries. 
2. Mix everything together well forming a  dough. 
3. Lay a piece of parchment down on a plate or board that fits in the fridge.
4. Roll the cranberry bliss bar ball dough into 15 energy balls and place them on the parchment paper. Set aside.
5. Melt the white chocolate on low heat for 15-30 seconds, stirring constantly. 
6. Pour the melted white chocolate into a small bowl and stir in olive oil. Whip together until smooth and drippy. 
7. Using a spoon drizzle the white chocolate across all the energy balls. 
8. Add white chocolate decorated energy balls into the fridge to firm up, 20 minutes. 
9. Once firm, place the cranberry bliss bar balls into a tightly sealed meal prep container and keep in the fridge until ready to eat.

 

Let us know in the comments if you made this recipe and how it went for you!