Chocolate Coconut Balls are easy, decadent and made in one bowl with only 6 ingredients. They will be your new favorite healthier dessert!
Reader’s Review
I’ve made these several times. They are absolutely delish. I don’t change a thing.
Susan Smith
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
If you are a dark chocolate lover, these chocolate coconut balls are for you! Many of you say they remind you of haystacks, mounds bars and chocolate crackles.
Whenever I don’t have a 70-90% dark chocolate bar on hand, you can find me making these healthy chocolate balls. They are super easy to make in one bowl, and no food processor or baking is required.
Dairy-free, vegan and can be gluten-free. The balls also keep well in the freezer for when the craving hits.
Ingredients for Chocolate Coconut Balls
- Coconut oil: For this recipe you cannot substitute with any other oil. It has to be coconut oil because it is the only oil that can solidify.
- Cacao or cocoa powder: I use cacao powder. It is less processed than cocoa powder. But you can use either. Some readers have had success using carob powder.
- Maple syrup: I prefer maple syrup to honey because it mixes and tastes better. You can also use brown rice syrup, agave or date syrup.
- Coconut flakes: Use unsweetened coconut flakes. You can’t skip the shredded coconut because it “makes” the balls. You can’t replace them with coconut flour either because the flour is too “thirsty” and the recipe will not work.
- Oats: Quick oats, rolled oats or quick cooking steel cut oats work. Use gluten free, if needed.
- Vanilla extract: Use pure one for best flavor.
How to Make Healthy Chocolate Coconut Balls
- Melt coconut oil: In a medium saucepan on low heat, melt the coconut oil. Once melted, remove from heat.
- Combine the ingredients: First, mix in the cacao powder and vanilla into the coconut oil. Next, whisk in the maple syrup. Finally, stir in the coconut flakes and oats until well combined.
- Freeze the mixture: Just 10 minutes in the freezer! If using refrigerated maple syrup, chocolate mixture will harden while mixing. You might not need to place it in a freezer before rolling. Also honey might require extra time whisking as it is quite solid.
- Make the balls: Use a small cookie scoop and form the balls. Place the balls on a parchment lined baking sheet. Then pop the baking sheet back into the freezer for another 30 minutes.
Tips for Best Results
- Use small trigger scoop to help shape your chocolate coconut balls.
- Do not worry about runny consistency because it is just melted coconut oil – that will solidify in the fridge/freezer. However, adding extra oats is OK too, your chocolate balls might just be thicker.
- Reduce cocoa powder if experiencing a bitter aftertaste.
- Remember to store these in the refrigerator or freezer – they are safe to place on a cookie platter for a few hours without worrying they will melt, though!
Optional Add-In’s
- Orange zest for an orange chocolate taste.
- Pinch of salt to enhance the chocolate profile.
- Dash of espresso powder for an even more intense chocolate taste.
- Pinch of cinnamon to add a warm spicy taste (like Mexican hot chocolate).
- Maca powder for an earthy taste.
- Dried sour cherry in the center for a “chocolate covered cherry”.
How to Store
Store: Best to keep these chocolate balls in an airtight container in the fridge. They will remain fresh for up to 7 days (if they last that long).
Freeze: Freeze for up to 3 months in an airtight container. Thaw on the counter for an hour or so or in the fridge overnight before enjoying.
FAQs
A reader has reported back that they added a small amount of unflavored protein powder and these became chocolate coconut protein balls. I have not tested with protein powder, so proceed with caution and if you use a flavored protein powder, the taste will turn out different.
Unfortunately, no. Balls have to be refrigerated in order to keep their shape otherwise they will melt (coconut oil problems).
More No Bake Chocolate Desserts to Try
- Chocolate rice krispie treats
- Homemade crunch bars
- No bake peanut butter oat cups
- Date snickers
- Healthy rum balls
- Homemade peanut butter cups
Healthy Chocolate Coconut Balls
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup coconut oil
- 1/2 cup cacao or cocoa powder
- 1/4 cup maple syrup or honey
- 1 cup coconut flakes, unsweetened
- 1/4 cup quick, rolled or quick cooking steel cut oats
- 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Instructions
- In a medium pot, melt coconut oil on low heat.
- Remove from heat and whisk in cacao powder and vanilla extract. Whisk in maple syrup.
- Add coconut flakes and oats, stir until well combined.
- Place mixture in a freezer for about 10 minutes.
- Line flat sheet or platter with parchment paper. Using small trigger scoop, form and roll golf size chocolate coconut balls placing on a platter.
- Freeze for 30 minutes. Enjoy chilled straight from the freezer or fridge.
Notes
- Serve: Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 7 days. Warm up on a counter for 5 minutes.
- Freeze: For up to 3 months. Thaw on the counter for an hour or so or in the fridge overnight before enjoying.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Super easy to make. Delicious. You only need 1 to cut the sweet tooth!
That is so amazing to hear! Glad you enjoyed my recipe, Gina!
These was amazed at how good these are. Thank you so much for this recipe.
You are welcome, Sherry!
This recipe is too good! They end up being unhealthy because we eat them all.
Haha too funny. I’m laughing lol.
Really Delicious!!! A Great Recipe!! Thank You!!
Welcome, Orla!:)
Insanely delicious. Reminds me a little of the flavor of Magic Shell that you put on ice cream. Added a pinch of salt and didn’t use the oats (substituted more desiccated coconut to make up for them) since my husband and I are on the Auto-Immune Protocol diet. One of the best recipes I’ve found for those on AIP (stage 1 for adding in cocoa powder). Thank you!!
I am home from the hospital after having baby #4 and I am a clean eating mama and don’t like buying unhealthy, expensive & fatty treats especially for my Littles so this is perfect ! I have all ingredients & I’m craving something sweet .
Perfect. Hope they like dark chocolate.:)
Made this the other night, as I’ve just started to be really clean eating. I have a lot of weight to lose but instead of being on a diet, I am trying to change my lifestyle. I love chocolate and finding replacements to my old addictions are key to allow for “treats”. I’m so pleased with this cacao chocolate balls, so lovely. Recipe turned out perfect! My husband loves them. Best thing is they are in my fridge and I’m not tempted to finish them all yet comforted that they are there. I think the good fats and carbs make you really satiated which is great. Thanks for sharing and more cacao recipes would be amazing!
Good for you!!! You are right. Diets don’t work. Eat clean and add walking to it and you will see results. We don’t move enough. That’s another issue. I know firsthand.
Love this comment! We’re on the same page! Hoping that these coconut balls will help my cravings as well. Good luck!!
Looks yummy
These are perfection! Just went in the kitchen and happened to have all these ingredients and turned it into a delicious midnight snack! Thank you for this recipe, I followed it exactly!! Also, may I suggest my idea of what to call them, perhaps for sharing at parties? “Coconut – Oat Fudge Balls.” 🙂
Cheers.
Perfect. Thank you for the suggestion! Will take that into consideration and readers hopefully too.:)
Super easy and just what I was craving! Thank you for this recipe. These chocolate balls are rich but somehow not heavy. They take a while to chew (I know that sounds funny, but it’s true!) because of the oats and coconut, so you have to slow down to enjoy them. Perfect for my insatiable sweet tooth. And they were great because I already had all of the ingredients on hand. Nothing crazy or unusual, which is very appealing. 🙂
Lol I know what you mean about “a while to chew”. Which is great. Your brain has time to get the signals before you over eat. That’s great to hear!:)