The best coconut balls with only 3 simple ingredients. My homemade no-bake coconut truffles are vegan, gluten-free, healthy, paleo-friendly, and easy to make. These homemade Raffaello are ready in 15 minutes and the recipe will fix all coconut cravings.
No-Bake Raffaello Coconut Balls
Yes I know, I am posting another dessert with coconut. But if you adore coconuts as much as I do, you will understand me! 😀 When I was a kid I loved eating Bounty and Raffaello candy! If you never heard of the latter before, it’s a popular coconut candy from the Italian manufacturer Ferrero. Each Raffaello praline contains a white milk cream, a spherical wafer, and one almond in the middle. It’s seriously SO delicious!
Of course, I had to make my own homemade version which is vegan! And here they are, my favorite coconut truffles. I was working on this recipe for quite a while, as I was never 100% satisfied, but now I am very happy with the result! Hopefully, you will love it as much as I do.
I tried to make the recipe as easy as possible for you (therefore, my version doesn’t contain a wafer), yet it’s super delicious! You don’t even need a blender or food processor to make these Raffaello balls, just one bowl.
If you have a craving for coconut, simply eat one of these coconut bliss balls, and you’ll feel instantly happier! They are the perfect snack on the go and I always make sure to also keep many of them in the refrigerator and/or freezer!
3 Simple Ingredients
Did you know that coconuts contain healthy fiber and lauric acid which is so beneficial for our health? Yes, they also contain a lot of fat, but it’s a healthy fat that won’t make you fat. To learn more about lauric acid and its health benefits, check out this article.
The three ingredients used in these coconut truffles are:
- Coconut Butter – It’s also known as coconut manna! Made from desiccated coconut (also known as shredded unsweetened coconut). I often make my own coconut butter. Read below how it can be done. You could also replace a part of the coconut butter with cashew butter.
- Shredded unsweetened coconut – You could also use coconut flakes and process them in a food processor or blender for a few seconds.
- Maple Syrup – Any other liquid sweetener like agave syrup, brown rice syrup, date syrup, etc. is fine. If you use 100% pure maple syrup, the coconut balls will be paleo-friendly!
You can put an almond inside each coconut ball (optional) if you want a similar taste to Raffaello candy.
If you make your own coconut butter, you actually just need two (2!!) ingredients for this recipe. Can it be easier and less complicated? I don’t think so!
All ingredients with measurements and nutrition facts are in the printable recipe card below.
Homemade Coconut Butter
It’s not necessary to make your own coconut butter for this recipe, but I often get asked how I make coconut butter. So, here are my instructions:
Simply process about 3 cups of shredded unsweetened coconut in a food processor until it turns into coconut butter and has a creamy texture. Scrape down the sides of your food processor from time to time.
You can add a little coconut oil to make the process easier and faster! It takes about 20 minutes to make your own coconut butter, therefore, I would recommend using store-bought coconut butter for this simple recipe.
How To Make Coconut Balls?
It’s seriously so easy to make this simple dessert. Check the step-by-step photos below:
- Put the melted coconut butter (you can melt it in a double boiler or in a microwave) into a bowl. Add maple syrup, the shredded unsweetened coconut, and stir with a spoon.
- Place the bowl in the freezer for about 5-10 minutes so that the mixture gets firmer. Then shape 8 coconut balls with your hands. You can also add one almond in the center of each ball (optional).
- Finally, roll the coconut truffles in shredded unsweetened coconut and store them in the fridge. Enjoy!
These Homemade Coconut Truffles Are:
- Vegan (dairy-free)
- Refined sugar-free
- No-Bake (no oven required)
- Gluten-free
- Grain-free
- Paleo-friendly (if using 100% pure maple syrup)
- Healthier than most coconut candy
- Delicious
- Easy to make
- Ready in 15 minutes
If you try these coconut balls, please leave a comment below and/or tag me in your Instagram or Facebook post with @elavegan #elavegan so that I can see your homemade coconut candy!
Make sure to also check out my other vegan coconut recipes:
- Vegan Coconut Cake
- Homemade Vegan Bounty Bars
- No-Bake Vegan Coconut Cups
- Strawberry Coconut Cheesecake Bars
- Lemon Coconut Balls
- Homemade Coconut Milk
Coconut Balls (Raffaello)
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup (80 g) coconut butter melted (NOT coconut oil) (see notes)
- 1/2 cup (42 g) shredded unsweetened coconut + more for rolling
- 2 tbsp (40 g) agave syrup or maple syrup
- Optional: 8 almonds
Instructions
- Put the melted coconut butter (you can melt it in a double boiler or in a microwave), maple syrup, and the shredded unsweetened coconut into a small bowl, stir with a spoon.
- Place the bowl in the freezer for about 5-10 minutes so that the mixture gets firmer. Shape 8 coconut balls with your hands. You can add one almond in the center of each ball (optional).
- Roll the balls in shredded unsweetened coconut and store leftovers in the fridge or freezer. Enjoy!
Notes
- Coconut Butter - Coconut butter is also known as coconut manna! It's made from desiccated coconut (also known as shredded unsweetened coconut). I often make my own coconut butter. Read the blog post above to find out how to make homemade coconut butter. You could also replace a part of the coconut butter with cashew butter.
- Shredded unsweetened coconut - Same as desiccated coconut. You could also use coconut flakes and process them in a food processor for a few seconds.
- Maple Syrup - Any other liquid sweetener is fine.
- Nutrition facts are for one coconut bliss ball.
Nutrition information is an estimate and has been calculated automatically
Simple and Delicious Vegan Cookbook by ElaVeganCLICK HERE to order!If you are using Pinterest, feel free to pin the following photo:
Hello, to make your own coconut butter it says the process takes 20 minutes. I’m curious about that time? Does one have to run the food processor for twenty minutes? thank you
Hi Ruthie, as mentioned in the post, you will need to stop the machine from time to time, so that it does not overheat. If you have a powerful blender, it might be ready much faster. 🙂
Thank you for another awesome recipe 🙂
I have tried so many of your recipes and all of them turned out sooo so delicious! I love that you are focusing on using the healthiest possible ingredients in your recipes. 🙂
I made more coconut butter for this recipe than I needed, do you know how long it will last in the fridge if the butter has been melted on the stove prior ?
Thank you 🙂
Hallo Fanni, I am so glad you appreciate my healthier recipes. I think it should last for at least 1-2 weeks in the fridge, probably even longer. 🙂
This is an amazingly delicious recipe ???? ❤
I am so glad you like it, Rose! 🙂
Super easy to make and very delicious. I will definitely make them again. Good idea for parties in summer or as a gift as well 🙂
Sounds great, Vi! Thanks for your feedback. 🙂
Just made it, this recipe is amazing!!
Easy to make and super flavourful, thank you Ela! 🙂
Hi Mate, I am so glad you liked them! 🙂
Unbelievably tasty and easy to make! Thank you Ela for a great recipe!
It took me two minutes to make coconut butter. I just put shredded coconut in my Vitamix blender.
Wow, two minutes only, that’s awesome!!! I don’t have a Vitamix and use a food processor, and the process takes much longer. 🙂
Hi PatriciaHealthyKitchen here. Love your Everything you are so talented. I looked for the Coconut Butter recipe, but didn’t find it. Would you be so kind to share, please.
Thanks in advance,
Hello Patricia, I have updated the post today, please check it again 🙂
Thanks for your patience.
Much love, Ela
Will definitely be trying these. Do I use raw or roasted almonds for the centre?
I prefer raw but you could actually also use roasted if you prefer. 🙂
Hi, Ela
Thanks for the awesome recipe. The taste is amazing! It really does taste like a rafaello. I made them and tried them and was delighted by them, but I put the rest in the fridge and when I wanted to eat them, they were hard and dry, so I left them in the counter to come to room temperature, but they were still hard and dry. Any suggestions for this?
Hi Alba, that’s because of the coconut butter. Coconut softens at about 25 degrees Celsius but it is hard when it’s colder. I am glad you like the taste! 🙂
Thanks for the prompt response, Ela. How do you suggest I go on about eating the ones in the fridge? Should I just leave them out until they reach room temperature or should I microwave them? Current ambient temperature is around 20-30°C but they are still firm in a box on the counter table, so I am debating if ok to putin the microwave.
They should soften when you leave them at room temperature for a while. You can also try to microwave for some seconds if you prefer.
Can you make these with other butters?
You could use cashew butter, they won’t be as “coconutty” then, though. 🙂
I’ll try this out with peanut butter and sugarcane syrup!
Sounds interesting! Peanut butter bliss balls, yummy. 🙂