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This no-bake Coconut Balls Recipe teaches you how to make Raffaello balls at home. Healthy and vegan, because they are made with just 5 wholesome ingredients. So delicious that you won’t be able to resist!

Coconut Balls Recipe
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5 reasons to love coconut balls

If you love Raffaello balls, this is your sign to make them at home. Honestly, give my recipe a try. You won’t regret it at all. Let me tell you why:

  • Quick and easy, these no bake coconut balls come together in a bowl in under 10 minutes. Without having to make all the kitchen dirty and turn on the oven!
  • Subtly sweet and delicate, they taste like the delicious Raffaello bites that you buy from the store. From adults to kids, everyone’s gonna love them!
  • Healthy and guilt-free, homemade coconut balls are great as a snack or dessert that is both satisfying and good for you. The best of both words!
  • Eggless, diary-free, gluten-free and vegan, these Raffaello bites are an allergy-friendly treat that anyone can enjoy.
  • Customizable and versatile, this is a simple recipe that can be adapted to your own preferences. Whether with protein powder or chocolate chips, the options are endless!

What are coconut balls made of?

These healthy coconut balls are made with just 5 simple ingredients. From desiccated coconut to maple syrup, all ingredients are unprocessed, nutritious, vegan and gluten-free. In the following lines you will find the complete list with all the foods you need, alongside details and replacements.

  • Desiccated coconut. This is dry, finely shredded coconut used to add taste, texture and make coconut bites look just like Raffaello. Healthy. Desiccated coconut cannot be replaced with coconut flour.
  • Almond flour. As it can safely be consumed raw, blanched almond flour is a fantastic ingredient to give bulk to no-bake coconut balls. You can replace with oat flour, sunflower seed flour, or with a mix of almond flour and protein powder.
  • Almond butter. Almond butter gives healthy coconut balls a rich and delicate taste that perfectly matches with coconut. I used and recommend white almond butter, but you can replace with regular almond butter, cashew butter, or sunflower seed butter. Due to its strong taste, I do not suggest peanut butter.
  • Coconut oil. In this easy Raffaello recipe, coconut oil gives the balls their signature taste while enhancing the texture. Coconut oil can be replaced with more almond butter, if you prefer.
  • Maple syrup. The maple syrup adds natural sweetness to coconut bites without the need for refined white sugar. As an alternative you can use honey, agave syrup, date syrup or sugar-free syrups.

Customization ideas

  • Chocolate chips: White chocolate chips, dark chocolate chips, semisweet chocolate chips, milk chocolate chips or sugar-free chocolate chips. 
  • Nuts: Pieces of almonds, chunks of walnuts, pecans, cashews, hazelnuts.
  • Seeds: Pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, flaxseeds, poppy seeds.
  • Dried fruits: Raisins, cranberries, dried berries.
  • Protein powder: Replace 50 grams (½ cup) of the almond flour with your favorite protein powder. Keep on reading for more details.

Coconut balls with protein powder

If you are looking for high protein snack ideas, these homemade coconut balls are for you. My healthy Raffaello recipe can easily be twisted to make it high in protein. For this, you will need to replace 50 grams (½ cup) of the almond flour with a protein powder of your choice.

Whey, casein, or vegan protein powder are all suitable – unflavored or flavored (vanilla and white chocolate are my recommendations). However, based on your choice the dough may need some adjustments.

  • Whey protein powder: Fix a sticky dough with additional almond flour, if it is necessary.
  • Vegan protein powder and casein: Fix a thick, dry dough with additional almond butter or maple syrup.

How to make coconut balls healthy?

Make healthy Raffaello dough. Start by melting the coconut oil. In the meanwhile, place all the dry ingredients in a mixing bowl and then add melted coconut oil, almond butter and maple syrup. Start stirring, until it all comes to form a soft dough. First with a fork, and then with the help of your hands. If, after mixing, the dough is still too dry, add some more nut butter, or adjust with more almond flour if it is too sticky. 

Shape no-bake coconut balls. Shape some coconut balls, roll in more desiccated coconut and then place in an airtight food container or in a sealable bowl. Store in the fridge for a maximum of five days.

Raffaello coconut balls recipe

Storage information

After making, transfer healthy coconut balls to a food container or sealable bowl and refrigerate. In the fridge, they will last for up to four days. For a longer storage, place in a zipper bag and freeze for up to three months. When you are ready to eat, remove from the freezer and allow the Raffaello bites to thaw in the fridge.

Recipe Tips

Do you also want to make healthy Raffaello balls that taste better than the ones you buy? Here are a couple of tips that you should keep in mind when preparing this recipe.

  • Choose blanched almond flour, entirely made from nuts. This is the perfect ingredient to give your no-bake bites a great taste and texture.
  • Use white almond butter, if you can. It gives healthy coconut balls a delicious, delicate flavor that will remind you of white chocolate balls.
  • Adjust the sweetness level with more maple syrup or honey, in case that you feel the need.
  • Customize homemade Raffaello bites with the addition of protein powder, chocolate chips, or small pieces of almonds.
  • Make sure to store any leftover in the fridge, in an airtight food container or sealable bowl.

FAQ – Frequently asked questions

Can I use regular flour?

No, unfortunately this easy coconut bites recipe cannot be prepared with regular flour. As it does not require baking, you will need to use a type of flour that can be consumed raw. For example, almond flour or oat flour.

Should I bake coconut balls?

No, this simple recipe does not require baking or cooking. Just mix all ingredients together, shape some balls and enjoy.

How many calories in a coconut ball?

One coconut ball provides approximately 126 calories. Remember that this is an approximation only, as precise nutritional values will depend on many factors such as size of the ball and specific ingredients used.

Can I add protein powder?

Yes, you can replace part of the almond flour with protein powder. Refer to the blog post up here for all details, tips and recommendations on how to make high protein Raffaello at home.

More no-bake healthy snacks

5 from 3 votes

Raffaello Coconut Balls

This no-bake Coconut Balls Recipe teaches you how to make Raffaello balls at home. Healthy and vegan, because they are made with just 5 wholesome ingredients. So delicious that you won't be able to resist!
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes
Servings: 15 balls
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Ingredients 

  • 90 grams (1 cup) desiccated coconut
  • 70 grams (¾ cup) almond flour, replace with oat flour
  • 80 grams (⅓ cup) almond butter, I recommend white almond butter, replace with cashew butter or sunflower seed butter
  • 30 grams (2 tbsp) coconut oil
  • 3 tbsp maple syrup, more to taste, replace with honey

High Protein Coconut Balls

  • replace 50 grams (½ cup) of the almond flour with protein powder and adjust the dough with more nut butter (if dry) or almond flour (if sticky).

Instructions 

  • Melt coconut oil.
  • In a large bowl, combine desiccated coconut with almond flour. Add melted coconut oil, almond butter and maple syrup, then stir well until you get a soft dough, first with a fork and then using your hands. If, after mixing, the dough is still too dry, add some more nut butter, or adjust with more almond flour if it is too sticky.
  • Shape some coconut balls, roll in more desiccated coconut and then place in an airtight food container or in a sealable bowl.
  • Store in the fridge for a maximum of five days.

Nutrition

Serving: 1 coconut ball | Calories: 126.2kcal | Carbohydrates: 6.1g | Protein: 2.5g | Fat: 11.1g | Saturated Fat: 5.5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.8g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Sodium: 3mg | Potassium: 81.5mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 3.2g | Vitamin A: 0.1IU | Vitamin C: 0.1mg | Calcium: 34.2mg | Iron: 0.6mg
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About Matteo

Iโ€™m the certified nutrition coach and fitness chef behind this blog. My mission is to make eating healthy easy and satisfying โ€“ for anyone and for any diet! My philosophy is simple: real food, clean ingredients and plenty of protein to feel your best.

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5 from 3 votes (1 rating without comment)

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4 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    Made those as a special treat for myself and loved them! Absolutely delicious! ?? Made the high-protein version with almond-coconut protein powder and without maple syrup.

    1. Hey dear Mel,
      thank you so much for your kind feedback! I am incredibly happy to hear that you liked my Raffaello coconut ball recipe. I usually make them with protein powder too, and they are soooo good!!
      Have a great Sunday,
      Matteo