Healthy Blueberry Date Bites
These deliciously easy and naturally sweetened Date Bites are a little bite of Blueberry Heaven. Great for a simple dessert or a grab-n-go snack, these are a must make this summer, No Baking Required.
GLUTEN FREE DESSERT RECIPE
Lauren Vasnelis
8/4/2026
Blueberry Date Bites
These Blueberry Date Bites are naturally sweet, chewy, and packed with wholesome ingredients. Made with dates, cashews, dried blueberries, coconut, and fresh lemon zest, they're an easy no-bake snack that's perfect for meal prep, grab-and-go breakfasts, or an afternoon pick-me-up. They come together in just minutes, firm up in the refrigerator, and make a perfect make-ahead snack for the week.
Servings: 6
Assembly Time: 20 minutes
Chill Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
Ingredient Breakdown
Deglet Dates
Deglet dates provide the natural sweetness and chewy texture that hold these bites together. Their slightly firmer texture makes them easy to process while still creating a soft, rollable mixture.
I use pitted Deglet dates, but Medjool dates work just as well. Since Medjool dates are larger, softer, and naturally stickier, you'll typically need a few fewer dates. Because they contain more moisture, you may also need slightly less cashew butter or honey to achieve the right consistency.
Cashews
Cashews give these bites a buttery flavor and a soft crunch while helping balance the sweetness of the dates.
Raw or roasted unsalted cashews both work well, although I prefer unsalted so I can better control the overall flavor.
If you have a cashew allergy, feel free to substitute another nut or seed. Almonds, pecans, walnuts, pistachios, sunflower seeds, or pumpkin seeds all work well in this recipe.
Dried Blueberries
Dried blueberries provide bursts of concentrated blueberry flavor throughout each bite while adding natural sweetness and beautiful dark blueberry flecks.
Coconut Flakes
Coconut flakes add texture and a subtle tropical flavor while creating the perfect coating for each bite.
I typically use unsweetened coconut flakes, but sweetened coconut flakes are just as delicious if you'd like an even sweeter treat.
Rolling the finished bites in coconut gives them a beautiful finish while helping prevent them from feeling sticky.
Cashew Butter
Cashew butter helps bind the ingredients together while adding extra creaminess and a mild nutty flavor.
Any mild nut or seed butter works well here. Sunflower seed butter is one of my favorite substitutions if you're avoiding tree nuts.
Honey
A small amount of honey adds sweetness while helping the mixture hold together.
Maple syrup or agave nectar both make excellent one-to-one substitutes.
Lemon Zest
Fresh lemon zest brightens the entire recipe and balances the sweetness of the dates and honey.
Don't skip it. It adds freshness without making the bites taste like lemon.
Flaky Sea Salt
A pinch of flaky sea salt enhances all of the flavors and provides a subtle contrast to the sweetness.
Ingredients
1 cup pitted Deglet dates
¾ cup cashews
¾ cup dried blueberries
½ cup unsweetened coconut flakes, plus more for rolling
2 tablespoons cashew butter
1 tablespoon honey
1 teaspoon (or more) fresh lemon zest
Pinch of flaky sea salt
Instructions
Add all of the ingredients, except the extra coconut flakes for rolling, to a food processor.
Pulse until the mixture comes together into a sticky dough that holds its shape when pressed between your fingers.
Scoop about 2 to 3 tablespoons of the mixture and roll into bite-sized balls.
Roll each date bite in additional coconut flakes until evenly coated.
Transfer the date bites to an airtight container or plate and chill for at least 1 hour before serving. This helps them firm up and gives them their best texture.
Lauren's Tips 💛
Customize the Flavor: These bites are incredibly versatile. Swap the dried blueberries for dried cherries, cranberries, raisins, chopped apricots, dried mango, or another dried fruit to create a completely different flavor profile.
Easy Ingredient Swaps: Don't be afraid to substitute ingredients based on what you have on hand. Sunflower seed butter works well in place of cashew butter, maple syrup or agave can replace the honey, and nearly any nut or seed can be substituted for the cashews.
Make Them Smaller: For a grab-and-go snack, roll the mixture into 1-inch bites. For a heartier breakfast or pre-workout snack, make them slightly larger.
Notes
Medjool dates may be substituted for Deglet dates. Because they're larger, softer, and naturally stickier, you'll usually need fewer of them and may also need slightly less cashew butter or honey.
Store the date bites in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week.
For longer storage, freeze the bites for up to three months and thaw them in the refrigerator before enjoying.
Feel free to roll the bites in additional coconut just before serving if you'd like an extra coconut coating.
Please check ingredient labels carefully. While all of my recipes are designed to be gluten-free, not every product I use is certified gluten-free. Always verify ingredient labels to ensure they meet your dietary needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use Medjool dates instead of Deglet dates?
Yes! Medjool dates work wonderfully in this recipe. Since they're larger, softer, and stickier, you'll typically need fewer of them and may also need a little less cashew butter or honey.
Can I use a different dried fruit?
Absolutely! Dried cherries, cranberries, raisins, chopped apricots, dried mango, or other dried fruits all make delicious variations of this recipe.
What can I substitute for cashews?
Almost any nut or seed works well, including almonds, pecans, walnuts, pistachios, sunflower seeds, or pumpkin seeds.
Can I substitute the cashew butter?
Yes. Cashew butter can be replaced with another mild nut or seed butter, such as sunflower seed butter.
Can I use maple syrup instead of honey?
Absolutely! Maple syrup or agave nectar both work very well as one-to-one substitutes.
Should I use sweetened or unsweetened coconut?
Either works well. I typically use unsweetened coconut flakes, but sweetened coconut flakes add an extra burst of sweetness if that's your preference.
Can I make these without a food processor?
A food processor works best because it finely chops the dates and nuts while creating the sticky texture that holds everything together. A high-powered blender may work, but you'll likely need to stop and scrape down the sides several times.
How long do these last?
Stored in an airtight container, they'll keep for about one week in the refrigerator or up to three months in the freezer.
Do I have to chill them?
I recommend it. Chilling for at least one hour helps the bites firm up, making them easier to handle and giving them their best texture.
