Nitrate & Nitrite Free Mango-Lime Coconut Date Balls
These no-bake bites are bright, tropical, and genuinely satisfying — the kind of snack that feels indulgent but is built entirely from whole, recognizable ingredients. Medjool dates and dried mango bring natural sweetness and a chewy, fudgy texture, while fresh lime juice and zest cut through with a citrusy punch that keeps every bite lively. A hint of ground ginger adds just enough warmth to make the flavor feel layered rather than one-note. For anyone navigating a diet free from preservatives like nitrates and nitrites, snack foods can be a minefield of hidden additives — but every single ingredient here is clean and straightforward, with nothing processed or cured in sight. The food processor does all the heavy lifting, pulling everything into a sticky, cohesive mass that rolls beautifully and coats in shredded coconut for a little extra texture. A short chill in the refrigerator firms them up into perfectly poppable spheres that hold their shape and travel well. Make a batch on Sunday and you'll have a grab-and-go treat ready all week long.
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Learn more →Ingredients
12 servings
- 1 cup medjool dates, pitted
- ¾ cup dried mango, roughly chopped
- 1 cup unsweetened shredded coconut, divided
- 2 tbsp coconut oil, melted
- 1 tbsp fresh lime juice
- 1 tsp lime zest
- ¼ tsp ground ginger
- ⅛ tsp fine sea salt
Instructions
- 1
Check the dates: if they feel firm or dry, soak them in warm water for 5 minutes, then drain and pat dry. Firm dates will not blend smoothly.
- 2
Add the pitted dates, dried mango, 3/4 cup of the shredded coconut, coconut oil, lime juice, lime zest, ground ginger, and sea salt to a food processor. Process for 45–60 seconds, scraping down the sides once, until the mixture comes together into a sticky, uniform mass that holds its shape when pressed between your fingers.
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