Chocolate Espresso Fig Balls are a 2-bite healthy no bake dessert. Prepared with dark rich cocoa, espresso, dried figs and toasty almonds for a guilt free, no added sugar, gluten-free, dairy-free and vegan dessert.
One bite of these caffeinated bliss balls and you will be hooked and might have to go back for a second. It is completely okay as each ball rounds in at only 90 calories each. If staying caffeinated is your "JAM", try our Dairy Free Pumpkin Ice Cream Affogato and that will get you up and going.
Bliss Balls
Easy no bake dessert
No refined sugar
Freeze well
Can be made ahead
Make fantastic gifts
Vegan
Gluten-free
Dairy-free
Kick of caffeine
Quick chocolate fix
Refuel your mid-day slump
We know that around 2p or 3pm our bodies want to go into hibernation. Do you feel wiped out and ready for a nap but have a honey do list longer than Santa? We totally get it and that is why we created these delicious healthy alternative Chocolate Espresso Fig Balls.
Toasted almonds give this ball an extra dose of protein to keep you feeling full. With a good jolt of caffeine and dark cocoa you will be ready to tackle the rest of your day.
When you are sitting at your desk at work, grabbing something from the vending machine may seem like the only alternative. However, think again dear friends. If you have 25 minutes, you can make a delicious batch of portable on the go Chocolate Espresso Fig Balls. They are lightly sweet with a good caffeine buzz.
Homemade gifts
This is a gift you can feel good about giving. These little Chocolate Espresso Fig Balls are gluten-free, vegan and dairy free. Wrap them up in a little box with a big red bow and give to all your family and friends.
These little treats are way better than any store-bought truffles. If you like the idea of making no bake treats for holiday gifts, you are going to love our No Bake Cranberry Bliss Balls.
Fabulous Figs
Do you like fig newtons? They are these little cookies that have a delicious figgy chewy center surrounded by a cookie dough. Our Chocolate Espresso Fig Balls are like kicked up fig newtons minus the carbs of the cookie dough.
You will want to soak your figs in hot water for about 15 minutes and drain before mixing in the food processor to make them soft and pliable. Don’t forget to remove the little stem from the fig as well.
We used Sun-Made California Mission Dried Figs. In addition, we also added in some dried dates to make a larger batch of treats. Dates are a great way to add sweetness and chewiness to a recipe. Be sure to try our Healthy Pumpkin Muffins (Dairy Free and Sugar Free)
No Refined Sugar
Both figs and dates are naturally sweet. However, when you add a dose of espresso powder and unsweetened cocoa powder, you may want to add in a little maple syrup or honey to sweeten to your desired preference. We will leave that up to you. Adding a little pinch of salt makes the natural sweetness from the figs and dates pop.
How to Store
If you have room in your freezer, we suggest storing your Chocolate Espresso Fig Balls in a freezer safe container for up to 3 months. When you are ready to eat or have unexpected guests that pop by, just take out what you want out and place in a dish at room temperature. In about 15 minutes, they will be perfectly chewy and ready to eat.
The Magic of the Food Processor
Do you have a food processor? If not no worries as you can finely chop and use a mortar and pestle to combine the ingredients. However, if you have a food processor this recipe is a complete breeze.
First, grind the nuts. We used toasted almonds. However, you could use any nuts your little heart desires.
Next, add the soaked and drained figs, dates, instant espresso granules, unsweetened cocoa powder, cinnamon, a pinch of salt and a drizzle of maple syrup (only if you wish) and puree in the food processor.
Roll into little 1.5 inch balls and dust with a little unsweetened cocoa powder and you are done. How easy was that?!
More delicious holiday cookies and treats...
Dark Chocolate Macadamia Nut Cookies (GF, Vegan)
Chewy Black Sesame Cookies (GF)
60 Cookies From Around the World
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Chocolate Espresso Fig Balls
Ingredients
- 5.3 oz dried figs
- ¾ cup dried pitted dates
- Boiling water
enough to cover the figs and dates to soften - 1.5 cups dry roasted almonds
toasted - 2 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
- 3 teaspoon espresso instant coffee
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoon maple syrup
(optional or honey) - 2 teaspoon hot water as needed to get the mixture to blend
Instructions
- Remove the stems from the figs. Place your dried figs and dried dates in a bowl and cover with boiling water and let set for 15 minutes. (Set aside a few tablespoons of water for blending) Drain water from dates and figs. Set aside.
- In the meantime, put your dry roasted toasted almonds (or nut of choice) in the food processor and grind until fine granules. Do not over churn or your will have almond butter.
- Place your soaked and drained figs and dates into the food processor with your ground almonds. Add in unsweetened cocoa powder, espresso instant coffee, ground cinnamon, salt and maple syrup to sweeten as desired. Blend ingredients with food processor. You may need to scrape down the side of the food processor. This blending process takes about 1-2 minutes. You may need to add 1-2 teaspoons of the hot water used to soak the figs and dates to get the figgy paste moving in the food processor. Only add a very small amount of water. Your goal is a very thick paste that you can roll into balls.
- Remove blade from food processor. Roll your thick paste into about 1.5-inch balls and place on a waxed paper line baking sheet. Dust with a little unsweetened cocoa powder.
- Freeze or refrigerate until ready to serve. Chocolate Espresso Fig Balls can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months. You can keep them in the refrigerator for 2 weeks. However, we like to freeze them as we prefer their firmer texture.
- When you are ready to serve your Chocolate Espresso Fig Balls, remove from the freezer and allow to come to room temperature for about 15 minutes. Enjoy!
Preena @ A Teaspoon of Turmeric says
Beautiful presentation! I'm going to try these, looks like a great snack to stash in your purse for those moments you feel famished.
Healthy World Cuisine says
Thank you. You so could put a few in a little baggie in your purse for those healthy snack attacks. If they last that long...Take Care, BAM
ioanna aggelidaki says
Yummy! 😀
Healthy World Cuisine says
Thanks a fun and easy snack to share or to take on the go.
Lesley says
What an amazing idea. I love little bites like these that are easy to pop in your mouth!
Healthy World Cuisine says
They are kind of addictive so it is a good thing they are guilt free. Take care, BAM
Jasline says
What an amazing way to make a healthy snack! So delicious!
Healthy World Cuisine says
Welcome back Jasline! Thank you. How was your trip?
Take care, BAM
Aoife.D says
These look great Bam, over here at Chez Yumbolicious we're trying to cut back on our sugar intake a wee bit, and our sweet-tooth is suffering badly, these might just be the solution we were looking for! Thanks!
Healthy World Cuisine says
Thank you. I guess back in olden times when sugar was not invented yet they used figs and dates as the natural sweetener. I love the little small bites as good for a quick pick me up with little guilt any time of the day. Take care, BAM
Healthy World Cuisine says
Reem you are bringing a little humor to my day. Thanks for that. Eat some chocolate figgy truffles treats in the morning with your coffee/tea, its the wakeup breakfast of champions. Take Care, BAM
Kathleen Richardson says
It's the addition of the orange zest that is the clincher for me, BAM. I was just making out a shopping list, so will be adding figs, dates... My grandsons will love them. I'll love them!
Healthy World Cuisine says
Hello Kathleen, I was also thinking another yummy addition instead of orange zest might be sweet tart dried cherries. What do you think ,maybe we should just give it a try. Kind of like a chocolate cherry cordial... I hope you are having a super weekend. Take care, BAM
Lisa says
I love figs..I love dates..I love nuts..I love chocolate cocoa. You should sell these..I don''t think I've ever seen any truffle like them!
Healthy World Cuisine says
Thank you Lisa for your very kind comment. Coming from you and all of your cooking experience, this means so very much to me. Take care, BAM
Barbara Bamber | justasmidgen says
I can always count on you, Bam, to come up with something healthy and more-ish for the kids, well, teeneagers here! I was reading and thinking "what about dates" and there they were. I love everything in this recipe, especially thinking it would be perfect for me when I'm craving something sweet!
Healthy World Cuisine says
Thank you Smidge. I did make it for the boys but I found myself loving them as well. They are small and just slightly sweet. A perfect treat to keep you going around that 2/3pm when we all need a pick me up with little or no guilt. Have a super weekend. BAM
nancyc says
Those all look so yummy–it's great that they're healthy, too! 🙂
Healthy World Cuisine says
Completely coincidental but you have to love that! Take care, BAM
Tandy says
Oh, yes please! I would devour these 🙂
Healthy World Cuisine says
Hi Tandy, this one would be a great one for you no added sugars. Only natural sugars. I hope you are doing well. Take Care, BAM
Sawsan@ Chef in disguise says
Count me in Bam!
I love the idea of these! and I think I will make some over the weekend
looking forward to your upcoming posts
Healthy World Cuisine says
Hi Sawson, how are you doing with the start of the new school year? Are you surviving? I am also going to be making some of your yummy after school snacks for the boys this upcoming weeks. My boys are eating me out of house and home! Take care, BAM
Sawsan@ Chef in disguise says
Hello Bam 🙂
We start next week and I totally get the "shock to the system" part of your post! I finished all the preparations for school with one last trip to finish the paper work remaining so I am maintaining my sanity so far! lol
I will be making these beautiful truffles tomorrow hopefully and I am really looking forward to more ideas and inspiration.
I hope your boys will enjoy the snacks and will have a wonderful school year
How are you coping by the way? I only have one kid in school, my son is still too young and I am hardly getting ends to meet
Healthy World Cuisine says
Between work and the kids school starting it has been busy, but I love it. I am glad they are back to a routine even if it is a busy one. I always say "Busy Kids are Good Kids! "
I have been looking over all your back to school treats and they all look so yummy but I think my boys might really enjoy your savory oregano cheesy muffins. I can freeze them and pop them in the microwave. Love that idea!
Take Care of yourself, BAM
wok with ray says
You've got my sympathy, BAM as we've gone through that before. My question is, why do we have to do all the prep for lunch, and snack when we are the one writing the checks for tuition and books? I guess that's because we are the parents, huh! Oh well. Hehe. Love those chopped almonds around the treats. Yummy! 🙂
Healthy World Cuisine says
I know we have all been there done that with the schools, it is just so much work. The quality of the school lunches is a whole other topic so currently I make all my boys sack lunches to bring to school. I just bought one of those really cool Chinese thermos pots with many layers so they can bring lots of little dim sum and other hot dishes to school. Have a super weekend. Take Care, BAM
Dawn says
I am so not ready for school to start next week - and I completely forgot about all the paper work, ugh!!!!
Healthy World Cuisine says
We lived through week one for the first week of school with my youngest teenager but this upcoming month my eldest will start and I bet that will quadruple the number of forms and checks to write...
Hannah (BitterSweet) says
Figs are so wonderful, but I always find myself at a loss when figuring out how to use them. This sure solves the problem! I especially love the idea of coating the truffles in rice crispy cereal for a good crunch.
Healthy World Cuisine says
Hannah, you are in luck. I have just landed a project where I will be creating numerous dishes using dried figs, fig sauce, fig jam and let me tell you there are so many delicious things you can make with this very healthy fruit. More to follow... Take Care, BAM