Healthy No-Bake Coconut Bites - Easy Shredded Coconut Recipe

Craving something sweet but don't want to turn on the oven? Get ready to fall in love with these No-Bake Healthy Coconut Bites! If you've got a bag of shredded coconut in your pantry, you're already halfway to making these delightful treats. They come together in just 10-15 minutes of hands-on time, require only about five simple ingredients, and taste like a dreamy coconut candy – but with better-for-you ingredients you can feel good about.
These versatile coconut bites are perfect for so many occasions. Serve them as a guilt-free dessert, pack them as an energizing snack for school or the gym, or enjoy them with your afternoon coffee. Whether you're looking for new baking ideas that don't involve actual baking, exploring healthy meals (or snacks, in this case!) with shredded coconut, or simply want a creative way to use up that bag of dry coconut, this recipe has you covered. We'll show you how easy it is to transform simple ingredients into a chewy, coconutty delight that everyone will adore. Let's get started!

Ingredients

• Shredded Coconut: 2 cups (about 140g) unsweetened shredded coconut. Look for it in the baking aisle! Fine or medium shred both work great; fine shred gives a smoother, denser bite. If you're feeling ambitious, homemade shredded coconut works beautifully too.
• Coconut Oil: 1/4 cup (about 50g) virgin coconut oil, melted and slightly cooled. Virgin coconut oil adds a lovely coconut flavor, but if you prefer a milder taste, refined coconut oil is a good swap. It's key for helping our bites hold their shape when chilled!
• Sweetener: 1/4 cup (about 80g) honey or maple syrup. These natural sweeteners provide a familiar, easy sweetness. Feel free to adjust the amount slightly to your taste without messing with the texture too much.
• Flavor Boosters:
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Pinch of salt (just a tiny bit enhances all the flavors!)
• Optional Mix-ins: A small handful of dark chocolate chips, a bit of citrus zest (lemon or lime!), or finely chopped nuts can be stirred in for extra flair without changing the base method.

Directions

1. Prep the Shredded Coconut If your shredded coconut is on the coarser side, give it a quick pulse in a food processor for a few seconds. This breaks it down slightly, making for a smoother, easier-to-bind mixture. If you want to roll your finished bites in extra coconut, set aside a small amount (about 2 tablespoons) now.
2. Mix the Base Add your prepped shredded coconut, melted but slightly cooled coconut oil, honey or maple syrup, vanilla extract, and pinch of salt to the food processor. Process the mixture until it comes together and looks like slightly sticky, clumpy cookie dough. You'll know it's ready when it holds together when you press it between your fingers, but it shouldn't be oozing oil. Don't over-process into a paste!
3. Quick Chill Transfer the mixture from the food processor to a bowl. Give it a good press together with your hands or a spatula to compact it. Then, pop the bowl into the fridge for about 15-20 minutes. This quick chill time is important because it allows the coconut oil to firm up a bit, making the mixture much easier to roll.
4. Shape the Bites Once chilled, scoop out small portions of the mixture using a teaspoon or a small cookie scoop. Roll them between your palms to form bite-sized balls. If you set aside some shredded coconut earlier, roll each ball in it for an extra pretty finish and texture boost. Or, simply leave them plain – they're delicious either way!
5. Chill & Serve
6. Arrange your freshly rolled coconut bites on a parchment-lined tray. Place the tray back in the fridge and chill until they are firm, usually another 10-15 minutes. These bites are best served straight from the fridge or after just a short 5-minute rest on the counter. Enjoy!