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.
I just found your recipe the other day and fell in love with it So delicious! And so easy! I’ve already made two batches. Thank you so much!
These are perfect! I licked the pan before putting them in the freezer lol. I love how rich and hearty they are. Delicious guilt-free dessert.
Update: everyone in my fam kept begging for more so today I just made a double batch 😂
We love hearing that, makes our day!
Greetings from Cape Town, South Africa – this recipe is AMAZING! Not only was it easy to make but they taste delicious! They were an instant hit in our household too. Thank you so much!
These are just absolutely heavenly!! Yummy scrumptious balls of chocolate and coconut with the kiss of maple or honey or BOTH and a bit of oats is just healthy deliciousness!!
So happy to hear that!
This tastes so good! I find that if you use the 2 Tbsp round measuring spoon then it makes 8 balls. Thanks for sharing this recipe.
I’m so happy to read this! Thanks for your positive feedback!
These are amazing! Will make again.
These are SO delicious. I loved these even better than literally any chocolate dessert. Very satisfying. I need to make a double recipe next time Haha! thanks for the recipe; it’s also so easy to make!
Thanks for sharing Suzy!
Hi, I just made these and they’re still freezing. They taste awesome. Is there any way I could alter the recipe so that they stay in tact and solid at room temperature at least for a few hours? I plan to take them to a Christmas party for the kids and the chocolate balls might stay out for a few hours.
Hi Bianca! They should be fine as is for your Christmas party. I would just take the out of the freezer just before leaving. You don’t have to worry about them melting all over the place.
It’s great
1/2 cup coconut oil??? I’m sorry but nothing about this is healthy. In fact quite the opposite doing serious damage to the endothelium.
I am not asking you to eat 1/2 cup coconut oil at one sitting, right, Lynn?! What is more important is to develop healthy relationship with food. Coconut oil is a good for you ingredient that is like kale and anything else should be consumed in moderation. If you don’t like this recipe, do not make it. Plus for future, consider that everyone has their own definition of “healthy”. Keto, vegans, carnivores, Ukrainians, Americans etc. Life needs common sense which is slowly leaving our society.
Olena. I just got the newsletter so I haven’t yet tried the coconut balls. But I will. They sound yummy. I was so glad to see you stand up to Lynn. We are not only losing our common sense, we have become a people that have to voice our disapproval of everything. I also believe, if it doesn’t sound like something you would enjoy. Don’t make it and keep your opinion to yourself. Well done. Happy Holidays.
Omg I just made these and added unflavored protein powder to the recipe… holy amazingness!!! And I’m sure if you used a bit less oil and maybe some but milk they would be equally delicious and maybe a bit less fattening if that’s the worry… I’ll possibly do that next time bc I will be maki JB these again for sure!!!
Glad you liked these Michelle!
amen to that! Love this recipe and love coconut oil!
Is the oatmeal a necessary addition to this recipie? Thanks!
I have tested this recipe with oats. They add texture and carbs to the balls.
Hi Shana, Have you tried toasting the oatmeal. I made these by lightly toasting the oatmeal & coconut. I find it adds more flavor and texture in this recipe and other no bake cookies.Thanks Michelle for sharing this recipe.
Oh what a great tip!! Thanks for sharing, definitely going to try that next time.