Matcha Pistachio Bliss Balls (gluten-free)
Enjoy the health benefits of matcha green tea with these matcha pistachio bliss balls! They’re power packed little balls of goodness.
This week is all about matcha! Did you see my post on the 5 Awesome Health Benefits of Matcha Green Tea? If not, go check it out. ‘Cause then you’ll want to make these pistachio matcha bliss balls stat.
If you’re new to the world of matcha, my advice is to ease into it. Given matcha’s slightly bitter, somewhat umami, grassy flavor, I’ll be the first to admit that it’s an acquired taste. BUT, once you fall in love with it, you fall hard. Trust me. And you’ll find yourself sprinkling matcha on everything, making iced matcha and salted caramel lattes, cozy matcha lattes, blending it in smoothies and generally doing the matcha happy dance.
For newbie matcha friends and lovers alike – you surely can’t go wrong with these pistachio matcha bliss balls. First, they’re bliss balls – and everyone loves bliss balls, right? Second, they’re packed with nutrients and antioxidants from the matcha, pistachios, dates, almonds and coconut. They’re a delicious green spin on energy balls, and you know I love these bite-sized treats, like my no bake energy balls, banana bread energy balls or mango date energy balls.
They’re also refined sugar free and the perfect sweet, healthy snack. One or two will satisfy your hunger and sweet tooth in one fell swoop. Green balls of bliss + matcha happy dance = the perfect treat. Enjoy!
Matcha Pistachio Bliss Balls
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup raw cashews
- 1/4 cup raw pistachios, shelled
- 12 Medjool dates, pitted
- 1/4 cup shredded coconut, unsweetened
- 2 tsp matcha powder
- 1 tbsp coconut oil
- 1/4 pistachios, chopped (for rolling)
Instructions
- Place all the ingredients (except the last 1/4 cup pistachios) into a food processor. Process for one minute or until finely chopped and blended.
- Using a cookie scoop, scoop out balls of mixture. Roll between your hands to create evenly sized balls.
- When all balls have been rolled, roll them again through the chopped pistachios and press firmly into the balls.
- Refrigerate for 15 minutes then enjoy.
I absolutely love this recipe! I’ve made it a second time already.
The only thing I don’t understand is how I use the exact same measurements but only get 8 balls out of it. They’re about the same size as yours too.
is there something to use as a substitute for those of us who do not like coconut ????
You could just add a couple more dates.
I’ve made these several times and live them!
I use melted coconut butter instead of oil and it gives them a. More mellow taste… thanks for sharing!
Made the Matcha Bliss Balls last night. I had to add a little water to complete the mixing as I only have a small food processor. What a pleasant surprise when I bit into one this morning….Delicious! Can they be frozen?
Glad you enjoyed these bliss balls! You can freeze them, but I would make sure to layer parchment paper in between so they don’t stick.
I used coconut chips instead of shredded for an extra crunch, delicious, added a little extra coconut oil and honey and a touch of almond butter to get a good consistency, so tasty and just like my favorite raw protein bars but easy homemade treats instead!
Hi Lisa,
This recipe by strange coincidence had all the ingredients I needed to use up in the fridge and pantry. I’m sure I had grand plans for all of them 😀 but never would have thought to blend them together. These matcha balls are wonderful – great texture, just sweet enough, and not to mention very pretty with the chopped pistachio coating. Thanks again for another winner!
They sound delicious! Can shredded coconut be substituted?!
You can just omit the shredded coconut if you’d like.
Hi Lisa, I love your recipes! My daughter is allergic to cashews. Do you think this recipe would work with another type of nut?
Yes, it should. Give it a try and let me know how it turns out!
Delicious. I love it!! Thanks
Glad you enjoyed these matcha bliss balls :)
These were so yummy! We shared with the neighbors and they gave it a thumbs up as well. Thanks for the recipe!
Wonderful! Glad both you and the neighbors enjoyed these matcha pistachio balls :)
So delicious and filling
Glad you enjoyed these bliss balls!
easy and yummy. I did add a scoop of protein powder (which then required me to add 3 more dates so it would still roll into a ball.) Sort of tricky to get the chopped pistachio’s to stick. Thanks for the recipe.
This is a fantastic recipe. I am usually disappointed with dry fruit balls as they are too heavy on my stomach and too sweet, but this recipe is simply fantastic. I added 3 t spoons of matcha instead of 2 and I love it. Very fast and super tasty. Thank you! Your kitchen looks very nice:)
Glad you enjoyed this recipe Cara! I always make sure to keep a good balance between moisture and sweetness when it comes to bliss balls
These were delicious and easy! I put some coconut oil on my hands to make rolling the balls a little easier (super sticky dough). Great flavor and not too sweet. Thank you!
So glad you loved these matcha pistachio balls! :)
Hey Lisa. I am definitely looking forward to these… I do have a question though… can these be frozen for meal prep? If so, how long would they last in the freezer? p.s. I absolutely love your videos and recipes… huge fan… Thank you!!
I would say most of these recipes wouldn’t work for frozen meals – but they will last for about 5-7 days in the fridge! I will soon hope to make a freezer meal prep at some point :)
Hi! how long do these last? Can they be placed at room temp? Thank you :)
Hi Sara- These should be stored in the fridge! And can last for about a week :)
Only my second time making something with matcha besides a drink and these came together in a flash and taste so good. Perfect picnic fare!
I’m happy you loved the recipe Hillary! And yes, they’re great for a picnic or any little travel snack. I always love to take them on plane flights with me. :)
Hi Lisa
Would Vitamix dry container work here instead of food processor? I tried my wet container and though i did end up with delicious matcha balls, i wonder if dry container would handle this better.
Hi Saltanat – I think based on the stickiness of this recipe you could give it a try in a dry container.
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I don’t have in my country matcha powder, is there any substitute instead of it?
thanks
If you’re looking for something with similar health benefits to matcha powder, you might try moringa powder. If you do, let me know how it turns out! You could also leave the matcha out entirely, and just make these pistachio bliss balls. :)
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Hi Lisa – this looks great! Would I be able to sub the coconut oil for olive or avacado oil? Or anyhtign else?
Hi Kelly – either of those would probably work, though I’d probably try the avocado oil as the flavor is more mild. Hope they turn out! :) x
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I use the simple share buttons. :)
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Hi Lisa. Can you tell me if culinary matcha has the same health qualities as better quality matcha? I like to drink it every morning. And if course it doesn’t taste as good as the ceremonial one (I had it in Japan) but I’m ok to drink it for health.
Hi Shonali – if you’re drinking it straight, I’d opt for ceremonial grade for it’s more delicate flavor (and probably more similar to what you had in Japan). But if you’re mixing it in anything like smoothies, bliss balls or cooking with it, culinary grade is best. That’s when you actually need to the stronger flavor profile. As for health qualities, I’ve read that ceremonial is slightly more nutritionally-dense, but both are still great options. :) x
dear lisa. thank you so much for replying. it’s a great relief to hear that i don’t have to bust the bank to drink my matcha! i actually drink it straight with hot water first thing in the morning and while the culinary grade is tasteless, it is not at all unpleasant. and at 5 dollars (from the japan market in west LA) – i’ll stick with it since you say it’s only slightly less nutritional.
i’m glad my matcha quest led me to your awesome website and i have signed up to it.
thank you for putting out helpful health information.
love and light
shonali
My pleasure! Glad you found me as well! :) x
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