These goji berry truffles have a rich, chewy filling that's coated in dark chocolate. They're made with healthy ingredients like goji berries, dates, almonds and coconut. In addition, these truffles are paleo, vegan and gluten free.
I always love sneaking superfoods into desserts when possible! And these healthy goji berry truffles are the perfect dessert for doing just that.
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.
These truffles are made with almonds, coconut, dates and goji berries. They have a chewy center and rich chocolate shell. What makes these truffles so healthy is the fact that they're made with a host of superfoods and only sweetened with dates.
Why You'll Love these Goji Berry Truffles
- Paleo and Vegan Friendly - made with simple, wholesome ingredients that are all gluten free and dairy free.
- Refined Sugar Free - sweetened with dates
- Easy to Make - just blend filling ingredients, roll into balls and coat in dark chocolate
Ingredients
The full recipe can be found in the recipe card below, but here's a list of what you'll need to make these goji berry balls:
- Dates - I used Medjool dates, but any variety will work. You'll need to pit the dates and soak them in hot water before using them in the recipe.
- Almonds - raw almonds are best for this recipe, but you can use dry roasted too if that's all you have on hand. To make this recipe nut free, swap the almonds for sunflower seeds.
- Unsweetened Shredded Coconut
- Goji Berries - since these are goji berry truffles!
- Cocoa Powder - or cacao powder. I used an organic Dutch processed cocoa powder.
- Salt - to enhance the flavors
- Vanilla Extract - for flavor
- Dark Chocolate - optional truffle coating.
How to Make Goji Berry Truffles
These truffles require a food processor or high powered blender to make. The filling is made in the food processor, then rolled into balls. The balls are frozen to firm, then dipped in dark chocolate.
Here's the step by step process:
- Soak dates in hot water.
- Drain water from dates. Add them to your food processor, along with the remaining filling ingredients.
- Blend ingredients until mixture forms a thick, sticky dough.
- Roll into balls and freeze.
- Melt the dark chocolate.
- Dip the filling balls into the melted chocolate.
- Drizzle any leftover chocolate over the balls and top with additional goji berries.
How to Eat Goji Berries
Besides adding them into homemade truffles, there are a bunch of ways to enjoy goji berries! Here are some simple ideas:
- 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
FAQ
Goji 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).
These 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!
For a nut free version, swap the almonds for sunflower seeds.
More Healthy Truffle Recipes
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Goji Berry Truffles (Paleo, Vegan)
- Prep Time: 40 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 17 truffles
Description
These healthy goji berry truffles have a chewy filling that's coated in dark chocolate. They're rich, satisfying and great for a superfood treat!
Ingredients
Filling
- 1 cup pitted dates
- ½ cup raw almonds
- ½ cup unsweetened shredded coconut
- ⅓ cup dried goji berries
- 3 Tbsp cocoa powder
- ⅛ tsp salt
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Coating
- 1 cup dark chocolate chips (5-6 oz)
Topping (optional)
- 34 goji berries (2 per truffle)
Instructions
- Place the dates in a small bowl. Boil a pot of water and pour over the dates so that they are fully submerged. Soak for 5 minutes.
- Drain water from the dates and place in a food processor, along with the remaining filling ingredients. Blend, stopping to scrape the sides every so often, until mixture is a thick, sticky dough*
- Roll the filling into balls, about 1 tablespoon in size. Place them on a lined baking sheet or plate.
- Freeze the fillings for 30 minutes**
- Melt chocolate in a small sauce pan, over low heat. Stir frequently, until the chocolate is fully melted.
- Remove chocolate from heat, retrieve balls from freezer and dip balls (one at a time) into the melted chocolate. Place dipped balls back on your lined baking sheet to set.
- Optional: drizzle remaining chocolate over the truffles and top each with 2 goji berries.
- Store in fridge or freezer.
Notes
*The filling will not have a smooth, consistent texture. If you don't want as many chunks of almond and goji berry to show in the filling, then first blend the almonds, coconut and goji berries in your food processor. After that, add in the remaining filling ingredients.
**Freezing the filling makes dipping them in chocolate a lot easier, but this step is not required.
Katie
My family and I love these truffles! Enjoy!