Healthy 2-Ingredient Coconut Bites Recipe (3 Ways!) (2024)

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These healthy coconut bites are made with only two simple ingredients – shredded coconut and chocolate. And even better, there is an option to make them using only one ingredient instead of two.

If you prepare them without chocolate, you will only need shredded coconut.

The coconut bites without chocolate make a pure coconut snack with no added sugar, perfect for snacking throughout the day.

If you dip them into melted chocolate, you will get a light dessert that is perfect for satisfying a chocolate craving.

The chocolate-covered variation has a bit more sugar from the rich dark chocolate but is still better than most chocolate coconut bars out there.

And you can also make these coconut bites using toasted coconut, which adds wonderful caramel flavor.

If you are like me and can’t decide which one you prefer, just make all three! Each option serves a different purpose, and the easy snack will last a few weeks in the fridge.

The Story

I first posted this recipe in June of 2015. The recipe quickly became popular, and many people loved the little bites.

However, the instructions confused some people, so I made the step-by-step pictures. I also improved the process of shaping the coconut bites.

Initially, I shaped each one by hand and made them round. The coconut balls were delicious, but the process was time-consuming, and the coconut mixture would sometimes fall apart. The original coconut bites looked like this:

Now, I use a silicone ice cube tray to shape the coconut bites, and it’s really easy to do.

So, two years later, in June of 2017, I posted the new step-by-step photos and the updated instructions. I also added a new flavor variation made with toasted coconut.

What You’ll Need

Here are the ingredients and equipment you’ll need to make coconut bites:

Ingredients:

Unsweetened shredded coconut – Check the ingredient list to make sure that there is only one ingredient listed and the product doesn’t contain any hidden additives.
70% dark chocolate – A quality bar of dark chocolate works best for the rich chocolate flavor. I do not recommend using chocolate chips as they contain stabilizers, so they do not melt smoothly.

Tools:

A food processor or a high-end/high-quality blender – Make sure it can make nut butter. Please note that a regular blender can’t be used to make these coconut bites. When in doubt, check with the manufacturer.
A silicone ice cube tray with 24 small cubes or a similar mold – If you don’t have a silicone ice cube tray, you can still make the coconut bites using a measuring spoon which is 1/2 tablespoon in size. It will take longer, but it’s possible. This was my original method of making the coconut bites, and I had been doing it that way for almost two years. The technique is described in detail in the recipe section below.

How to Make Coconut Bites

The process of making these coconut bites consists of three steps.

First, make the coconut paste, a.k.a coconut butter. Then mix the coconut paste with the shredded coconut. Lastly, shape the coconut bites using a silicone ice cube tray or a measuring spoon.

Step 1. Make coconut paste (a.k.a coconut butter)

I received a lot of questions about this step of the recipe.

So to clarify the instructions and give you an idea of how the coconut paste looks as it’s being processed, I took pictures of the paste at each stage.

I also listed the processing time at the bottom right corner of each picture (see the image below).

The instructions:

Place the shredded coconut into the food processor. Set a timer for 6 minutes and start processing.
After about 1 minute, the shredded coconut will start clumping together. It’s a great start; keep processing.
At the 1 minute 30 seconds mark, the coconut mixture will start sticking to the walls of the food processor bowl. Stop the food processor and scrape the coconut paste down with a spatula. Close the food processor and keep processing.
At the 2 minutes 30 seconds mark, the paste will start getting more liquid. Stop the processor and scrape the walls with a spatula. Don’t forget to scrape the white layer that forms at the bottom of the food processor bowl.
Between 2:30 minutes and 5 minutes, keep processing the paste but make sure to stop and scrape the paste down with a spatula as needed. At the 5-minute mark, the paste will be almost liquid. Give it one last swirl.
At the 6-minute mark, you should have a runny paste that will appear smooth but will have a slightly grainy texture.

Please note that the timing may vary depending on many factors, such as the power of the food processor, the sharpness of the blade, the quality of the shredded coconut, the amount of shredded coconut, room temperature, etc.

Step 2. Make coconut mixture

Once the coconut paste is ready, transfer it to a mixing bowl.
Add the shredded coconut and mix well until the shredded coconut starts to clump together.

Step 3. Shape coconut bites

The easiest and fastest way to shape the coconut bites is using a silicone ice cube tray.

The instructions:

Scoop about half of the coconut mixture onto the silicone ice cube tray.
Press the mixture into the molds using your fingers.
Add the rest of the coconut mixture.
Distribute it equally between the molds and press tightly. Place the ice tray in the fridge for about 2 hours.
Once the coconut bites firm up, gently bend the ice tray to loosen them up until the coconut bites pop out.

Please note that it’s also possible to shape the coconut bites using a measuring spoon. The method is described in the recipe section below.

Healthy Coconut Bites – 3 Ways

Here is how to make healthy coconut bites in three flavor variations:

1. Sugar-Free Coconut Bites (1 ingredient)

These 1-ingredient coconut bites make a great healthy snack. They are sugar-free and perfect if you are looking for a low-glycemic option.

2. Sugar-Free Toasted Coconut Bites (1 ingredient)

These sugar-free toasted coconut bites are another tasty low-glycemic option.

They are made exactly like the plain white coconut bites just using toasted shredded coconut.

You can easily toast plain shredded coconut on the stovetop. Takes about 5 minutes.

3. Chocolate Coated Coconut Bites (2 ingredients)

Make chocolate coconut bites by dipping the unsweetened coconut bites into melted chocolate to create a perfect sweet treat.

You can fully coat the coconut bites or just dip them halfway to keep the sugar content low.

Storing

Store these coconut energy bites in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 weeks.

More Healthy Snack and Dessert Recipes

If you are looking for more healthy, low-sugar snack and dessert ideas, check out these recipes:

Carob Prune Truffles
Almond Flour Chocolate Cookies
Chocolate Ice Cream without Eggs
Chocolate Mousse Without Eggs
Eggless Chocolate Cupcakes

Healthy 2-Ingredient Coconut Bites

Yield: 24 coconut bites

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Additional Time: 2 hours

Total Time: 2 hours 30 minutes

These healthy coconut bites are made with only two ingredients. The recipe includes step-by-step pictures and two sugar-free options.

Ingredients

2 1/2 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
100 gr dark 70% chocolate

Tools:

food processor or a high-end/high-quality blender which is capable of making nut butter
silicon ice cube tray with 24 small cubes or similar or a measuring spoon 1/2 tablespoon in size

Instructions

To make the coconut paste:

Place 1 1/2 cup of the shredded coconut into a food processor, pulse a few times and process for about 6 minutes until you get a white paste which will appear smooth but will have a slightly grainy texture. Scrape the walls of the food processor bowl with a spatula as needed. Refer to the blog post for the step-by-step photos and instructions.

To make the coconut mixture:

Transfer the paste to a bowl. Add the remaining 1 cup of the shredded coconut and mix until combined.
Cover a cutting board or baking sheet with parchment paper.

To shape the coconut bites using a silicon ice cube tray:

Scoop about a half of the coconut mixture onto the silicon ice cube tray.
Press the mixture into each cell using your fingers.
Add the rest of the coconut mixture.
Distribute the mixture equally between the cells and press tightly. Place the ice tray in the fridge for about 2 hours.
Once the coconut bites firm up, start gently bending the ice tray to loosen them up until they pop out. Refer to the blog post for the step-by-step pictures

To shape the coconut bites using a measuring tablespoon:

Place the bowl with the coconut mixture in the fridge for about 15 to 20 minutes.
To shape coconut bites, scoop the coconut mixture with a measuring spoon which is 1/2 tablespoon in size. Press the mixture firmly into the spoon with your thumb, and pop out the coconut bite. They will have a shape of half a ball. Place the coconut bites on the parchment paper with the flat side down. Once you are done shaping all coconut balls, place them in the fridge for about one hour until firm.

For the 1-Ingredient Sugar-Free Coconut Bites:

Make the coconut paste.
Mix the coconut paste with the rest of the shredded coconut to make the coconut mixture.
Shape the coconut mixture using the preferred method.

For the 1-Ingredient Sugar-Free Toasted Coconut Bites:

To toast the shredded coconut, pour all the shredded coconut onto a skillet and start warming it up over medium heat. Make sure to always stir the coconut with a wide wooden spoon. After about one minute, the coconut will become fragrant and will start changing color. Toast the coconut until golden brown for about 5 minutes. Once the coconut is toasted, transfer it on to a plate right away (it will continue toasting and might burn if left on a hot skillet.) Let the coconut cool a little bit and then pour it into the bowl of a food processor.
Make the coconut paste.
Mix the coconut paste with the rest of the coconut.
Shape the coconut bites.

For the chocolate covered coconut bites:

Make the plain or toasted version above.
Melt the dark chocolate. Dip the coconut bites half-way into the melted chocolate or, using 2 forks, dip them fully into the chocolate to cover. Place the chocolate covered coconut balls back on the parchment paper. Once all coconut balls are covered in chocolate, place them in the fridge. Refrigerate for 1 to 2 hours until chocolate is set.

Notes

1. Please refer to the blog post for the step-by-step photos.

2. These coconut bites keep well in the fridge for a few weeks.

3. Nutrition information is a rough estimate for 1 of 24 chocolate covered coconut bites.

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Nutrition Information

Yield 24Serving Size 1 chocolate covered coconut bite
Amount Per ServingCalories 75Total Fat 6.7gSaturated Fat 5.6gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 1.1gCholesterol 0mgSodium 3.6mgCarbohydrates 4.6gFiber 1.6gSugar 2.8gProtein 0.8g

Nutrition facts provided on this website are an estimate and not guaranteed to be accurate. Please see a qualified health care provider for personalized diet advice and make sure that each of the ingredients is allowed in your diet.

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