Goji Berry Truffles

It doesn’t get much better than healthy truffles filled with ingredients that are actually good for you and that taste amazing.  Am I right, or am I right?!  These Goji Berry Truffles are just that!  Healthy, Paleo friendly, Vegan, grain free, dairy free and only sweetened with fruit.  (Dates and goji berries to be exact.)  Basically, the ultimate definition of having your cake and eating it too!

What are Goji Berries?

In recent years, goji berries have been touted as a “superfood”; filled with powerful antioxidants and many possible health benefits.  (Is it just me, or is it hard to keep track of all the superfoods we should be eating these days?)

These berries, also known as wolfberries, originated in China.  Goji berry plants are small, thorny shrubs and there are two main types of goji berry plants grown today: L. chinense (grown in south China) and L. barbarum (grown in the north).

Goji berries are often dried, giving them a chewy texture.  Most sites will claim that goji berries taste sweet and slightly tart.  But, I actually think they are bitter!  And, in all honesty, I don’t like them plain.  However, combined with the right foods (like chocolate) they taste amazing!

Goji Berry Nutrition and Benefits

One of the main reasons goji berries are said to be a superfood, is because of their high antioxidant levels.  Antioxidants are known to help boost the immune system and protect the body from oxidative stress and inflammation.

In addition, goji berries are a good source of vitamin c, fiber, iron, vitamin A and zinc.

Besides being nutritious, other ways goji berries can benefit your overall health include:

• boosting immune function
• decreasing inflammation
• improving skin
• maintaining healthy eyes
• stabilizing blood sugar
• increasing energy levels and mood
• boosting fertility

How to Eat Goji Berries

Although I’m not fond of eating goji berries on their own, they do have many palatable ways in which they can be eaten.  Here are some simple, tasty ways to use dried goji berries:

• smoothie and yogurt bowl toppings – add to a smoothie or yogurt bowl, along with some nuts and seeds, bee pollen and cacao nibs
• energy bites – great used in homemade energy balls/bites
• homemade chocolate bark – make your own chocolate bark using dark chocolate, nuts, seeds and goji berries
• trail mix – make your own trail mix with mixed nuts, flaked coconut, seeds, and dried fruit (including goji berries)
• baked goods – add to baked goods as you would any other dried fruit or chocolate chips
• homemade granola bars – mix into homemade granola bars

Ingredients Needed to Make Goji Berry Truffles

One of my favorite things about making balls, bites and truffles is that many of the ingredients can be swapped.  These are no different!  The ingredients in these Goji Berry Truffles are completely Paleo, Vegan and naturally gluten free.  These truffles can even be made nut free for anyone that can’t consume nuts.

Ingredients:

• almonds
• shredded coconut
• dates
• goji berries
• cacao
• coconut oil
• salt
• dark chocolate (for topping)

Substitutions

Any type of nut or seed may be used in place of the almonds.  And, if you can’t consume coconut, swapping this ingredient for another type of nut or seed would work as well.  My only recommendation is to measure by weight when making these substitutions.

Dates work best with this recipe; especially in combination with the goji berries.  However, other dried fruit can be used as a replacement.  (I’m thinking dried figs, raisins or prunes.)  Honey or maple syrup will work too, but I don’t have the measurements for those substitutions.  So, you’ll have to play around with quantities if you are doing that.

Cocoa powder can be used instead of cacao.  And lastly, the best replacements for coconut oil would be ghee or a non-hydrogenated shortening.

How to Make Goji Berry Truffles

These truffles must be made in a food processor or high powered blender.  I own THIS food processor (have had it for over 5 years) and absolutely love it!

First, place all ingredients in the food processor.  Note: make sure the dates are pitted.  Blend until the mixture becomes course and sticky, clumping together.  You should be able to press the mixture together and form it into balls.

Next, form the mixture into balls, about one tablespoon in size.  This will give you approximately 17 truffles.  Place the balls on a flat, move-able surface such as a small pan or large plate. 

Then, freeze the balls for at least 2 hours.  Freezing makes coating in chocolate much easier – trust me!  They can be eaten right away if you aren’t adding dark chocolate to the top.

After freezing, melt dark chocolate in a small sauce pan, over low heat.  Stir frequently.  When chocolate is fully melted, remove the balls from the freezer and dip (one at a time) into the melted chocolate.  Place on a lined baking sheet to set.

Optional: top with additional goji berries.  I also added some goji berry powder for a little extra “wow”.  But, that’s completely optional.  Cinnamon, bee pollen, cacao nibs, shredded coconut, and chia seeds are other great topping ideas.

More Paleo and Vegan Truffle Recipes

• Dark Chocolate Turmeric Truffles
• Superfood Energy Bites
• Coconut Pecan Chocolates

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