These sugar free coconut balls are naturally sweetened with coconut, cinnamon, and stevia. A no-bake, low-carb snack you can’t go wrong with!
It's snack attack time and Fat Bombs are all the rage! We can't live without snacks during the work week. We start early in the morning, and have breakfast and lunch. But probably like you, by mid-afternoon we are in need of a little pick-me-up before our workout, or before the drive home to make dinner and do all the things. Sure, we love energy balls, too, but this meal prep recipe has a special place in our hearts. This is where recipes like Sugar-Free Coconut Balls 'roll' in. (Yeah, we just went there!)
Why Make Sugar-Free Coconut Balls?
These healthy, no-bake bites are just the thing to keep your energy up and your sugar cravings away. The natural sweetness of coconut is incredible and coconut butter makes them delectable and satisfying. They are quick and easy to make, keto-friendly, paleo-friendly, vegan and gluten-free. How often do you find a recipe that checks off ALL of those boxes? This is the definition of healthy meal prep--er, snack prep. It's a bit of a unicorn of a recipe, something that works for almost anyone you know and a must for any coconut lover!
Sugar-Free Coconut Balls Ingredients
- 1 cup coconut butter
- 1 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
- ½ tsp. cinnamon
- Stevia powder to taste
How to Make Sugar-Free Coconut Balls (Fat Bombs)
This couldn't be simpler. Melt the coconut butter, along with the cinnamon and stevia powder to taste in a double boiler. What's that? It's simply a heat-safe bowl you can place over the top of a pot of water on your stovetop. Heat the water in the pot until it boils and then the bowl rests over top (it has to be the same diameter as the pot). We use a double boiler here because it gently melts ingredients. Please, do not microwave these ingredients in order to melt them, or you'll just end up with a mess. And a mess does not coconut balls make!
Transfer to the fridge to let it chill and set up, and then roll into balls. Once you've rolled them into balls, pop them back into the fridge to set for about 20 to 30 minutes. Then, finally, roll the balls in shredded unsweetened coconut. Delicious!
Coconut Oil Vs. Coconut Butter
You might be familiar with coconut oil, but not coconut butter. The latter contains ingredients that the oil does not. Namely, coconut butter is made from the fruit of the coconut, or the meat, along with the oil. It's pureed and you can use it like a spread—think of it like a tropical peanut butter of sorts.
How to Serve Coconut Balls
If you are like us your snacks also double as desserts, so come meal prep time on Sunday you can count this recipe as a double win. To go the dessert route, serve alongside some sliced mango or pineapple, or both. Or maybe even papaya. They are also really good with berries, too.
How to Store Sugar-Free Coconut Balls
There are no two ways about it. These little treats need to be refrigerated to stay firm. You don't want them at room temperature because they will get gloppy and melt.
Tips for Coconut Balls
- Keep these bites chilled. There is nothing more terrible than melted Sugar-Free Coconut Balls all over the bottom of your lunch box. An ice pack, please!
- A little stevia goes a LONG way. If you've never worked with it before, add a teensy bit (like ¼ teaspoon or so) to see how it tastes. Or skip it entirely!
- Instead of cinnamon, try nutmeg or cardamom with these coconut balls.
- We also like ½ teaspoon of vanilla extract or, if you're really loving the tropical vibe, ½ tsp. of coconut extract just makes this taste even better.
More Energy Ball Recipes:
- Mint Chocolate Energy Bites
- Cinnamon Apple Protein Bites
- Protein Peanut Butter Energy Bites
- Cinnamon Almond Butter Protein Balls
Ingredients
- 1 cup coconut butter
- 1 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- stevia powder to taste
Instructions
- Combine coconut butter, cinnamon, and stevia in a glass bowl over a double boiler and heat until everything melts.
- Transfer the bowl to the refrigerator for 20 to 30 minutes until firm but still pliable. Remove from the refrigerator and roll into 12 balls.
- Return the balls to refrigerator for another 20 to 30 minutes to set.
- Sprinkle the shredded coconut onto a plate. Remove the coconut balls from the oven and roll them in the coconut.
- Keep refrigerated in a covered, airtight container for up to 14 days or freeze for up to a month.
Cyndy Lunsford says
Is coconut butter the same as coconut oil?
Sarah Kesseli says
Hi Cyndy - they are not the same. Coconut butter comes from the meat of the coconut and is much thicker. This is coconut butter: https://www.amazon.com/Artisana-Organics-Coconut-Certified-Handmade/dp/B012Q04O6M/ref=sr_1_5_s_it?s=grocery&ie=UTF8&qid=1519083630&sr=1-5&keywords=coconut+butter
Sam says
I have tried making this 3 times however all three times it has not set in the form to be able to roll the ingredients into balls its still liquid all 3 times. Is there a trick to this or is an ingredient missing that binds it together?
Sarah Kesseli says
Hi Sam - We are so sorry! Somehow "milk" was added to the recipe and that should not have been included. We truly apologize for the error on our part!
Steveb says
Could we add protein powder or do you have a suggestion into how we can incorporate it in?
Sarah Kesseli says
Hi Steve - We have not tested it any way other than the recipe listed, but if you give it a try let us know!
Evelyn says
Any suggestions on how to do this without a double broiler? I'd like to try this recipe using some different flavored extracts. 🙂
Sarah Kesseli says
Hi Evelyn, you could mix together the coconut butter and a tsp or so of coconut oil and melt slowly in the microwave in 20-second increments, mixing in between.
Jacquie says
When I add up the ingredients I’m only getting 2 today carbs for the entire batch. How are you getting 6g for one? Is it a particular brand you are using?
Sarah Kesseli says
Hi Jacquie, the total carbs are 6.3g and the net carbs are 1.9g. The coconut butter has 64g carbs total, the shredded coconut has 10.7g carbs total, cinnamon has 1g carb total. If you total those up and divide by 12 balls you get 6.3g carbs per bite.
Mairy says
I added the cup of coconut to the melted mixture, refrigerated and the rolled in balls then coconut,mine came out fabulous