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:
Hi! Your recipes look amazing and delicious. I LOVE coconut; however even though people say it contains healthy fats it seems it has quite a lot of saturated fat.
Can you use regular butter? Or it would probably taste different.
I wouldn’t do it to be honest. The taste would be totally different.
Soooo good! This is my 3 year olds favourite snack!! How great that this is considered a “treat” to him and so healthy! Love how quick and easy they are to make as well. Can’t believe I (or anyone) used to spend the money on buying coconut butter!
I am so glad to hear that you and your 3 year old boy love this recipe. Thanks for your great feedback 🙂
Thank you for the recipe I tried these and they are so delicious!!! Mine are not as pretty as your I think it’s because I used coconut spread instead of coconut butter. I also sprinkled some cacao nibs on mine. Will definitely make these again.
I am so happy you liked my recipe, Maria! Thanks for leaving such a nice feedback 🙂
Thank you, Ela, for this amazing recipe!!! I just made it and it gor more than perfect. Very easy and quick to do it. Your blog is amazing! Thank you for being so meticulous and precise. Beautiful and delicious recipes! All the best!
I am so happy to hear that, Bruna! Thanks for this amazing feedback, I really appreciate it 🙂
Hello thank you for sharing a lovely simple recipe. Was very easy to follow. I wanted to know is there anything else I can add to make them more sweeter? I used maple syrup but feel if I add more the syrup taste will be more over powering. Could I use coconut milk in this recipe too? Or anything else to make it sweeter?
Hello Kirti, if you want them sweeter I would suggest powdered sugar. Coconut milk won’t make them any sweeter. Hope this helps 🙂
Whats vegan, coconuty, absolutely delicious and easy to make ~ COCONUT BLISS BALLS. I have made these on two different occasions and everyone who had these, loved them. I feel like recipes like these not only inspire you to try new ingredients but embrace the vegan way of life. Keep inspiring us to cook amazing stuff like these bliss balls Ela. 🙂
p.s. more power to you! 😀
Thanks so much for your awesome feedback, Shantan! Really happy you and everyone else liked my coconut bliss balls. 🙂
I have never been a fan of coconut, but I just got the ingredients for these and I am so excited to make them! Thank you for sharing these.
Thank you, Gracie. I hope you will love them, as much as I do. 🙂
Hello! I can only use pure stevia as a sweetener (I use Sweet Leaf organic stevia leaf extract). Do you know how much to use in place of the syrup,? Thanks!
Hi, Molly, that is difficult to answer because I never made the recipe with Stevia. I know that Stevia is extremely sweet, so I would suggest maybe just a pinch (1/16 of a tsp or so). You can just add a little bit and then make a taste test. If it’s not sweet enough then add more. However, the problem is, that the syrup acts as a binder (it helps to hold the bliss balls together). Since you won’t use it, I would suggest adding more coconut butter, otherwise, the bliss balls will be too crumbly. Hope this helps and let me know how they turned out with Stevia.
Thank you for getting back to me! I’ll try it and let you know how it goes 🙂
Awesome, have fun! 🙂
I love your recipes they are easy and delicious! My next little proyect are these fab looking coconut balls. Thank you for sharing your amazing recipes!
Thank you so, so much Elisa! Really happy about your positive feedback. 🙂
How are yours so white? Mine came out light brown from the sweetener
Hello Mark, which sweetener did you use? I used maple syrup (light colored). 🙂
You always make such perfect bliss balls, Ela! I love the white-on-white color too, so pretty.
Thank you very much Nisha, such a sweet compliment.
I made them the othet night abd they were delicious! Perfect for my coconut cravings!
Thanks for your great feedback Leticia! I am very happy you liked my recipe 🙂
Can u please tell how to make coconut butter at home?
Is it coconut oil?
To make coconut butter (not oil!) you only need coconut flakes (or shredded unsweetened coconut) and a good high speed blender or food procssor. Blend until it’s a creamy spread but make sure to pause your blender/food processor quite often as it will get really hot after some minutes. You need to be patient but the result will be great.
Where can I get coconut butter?
I don’t live in the UK but I just did a quick Google search and it seems you can buy coconut butter almost everywhere, for example at “Holland and Barrett” or “Tesco”. 🙂
I got some from Holland ans Barrett – BB end of July so got 75% off! Making coconut balls tonight!
Yay that’s amazing! I hope you will like them. Can’t wait to hear how they turned out. They taste best cold
Wow!! Really fast and easy to make!! I love it!! Thanks for sharing Ela!! I’m a big coconut fan too!!! ????
Thank you very much Dey! I am glad to hear you are a huge coco fan too 🙂
They look delish! I love how simple the recipe is 😀
Yes I love to keep it simple. Thanks so much for stopping by Nadia
The recipe is actually super easy and the coconut balls taste great! Thanks a lot for your inspirational posts! ????????
Thank you Nathalie, I am very glad you like my recipe
Thank you!!!! Cannot wait to try
I hope you will like my recipe, please report back 🙂
What ?! that’s it ? So easy 🙂 I love how simple this is and I can’t wait to make them ! I will definitely make these over the weekend thank you so much for sharing they look amazing ????
Thank you so much Kirsten, I can’t wait to hear if you and your kids liked them. Big hug to you