Coconut Cinnamon Balls

When the heat and humidity of summer arrives, a dehydrator is one alternative to an oven for food preparation and snacks. 

A food dehydrator removes moisture from food, aiding in preservation.  The appliance accomplishes this by using a heat source and air flow.  Dehydrators come in a range of options and price points.  They are readily available from a variety of brick n mortar retailers, as well as online.   

I'm using a Nesco American Harvest dehydrator.  With the humidity peaking in the southeast, my dehydrator has been in use all weekend.  So, expect several dehydrator recipes in the coming weeks.  

The first in the series of dehydrator recipes is Coconut Cinnamon Balls, inspired by the popular Larabar.  These balls are a great snack option for so many reasons; they are vegan, and gluten free, as well as nut free.  These snacks don't require refrigeration; so they are great to keep in the car, purse or desk drawer.   

Dates are the basis for these coconut balls.  If you haven't used dates before, you will be surprised at their natural tastiness.  They are packed with antioxidants, naturally sweet, a great source of fiber and provide many minerals such as calcium, magnesium, zinc, manganese, copper, iron, selenium and potassium.  Many refer to dates as nature's candy. 

The version presented below is in ball (versus bar) form.  This was only to save time.  The same recipe can be spread into a square pan on parchment paper.  If you choose the bar method, I recommend refrigerating the pan for a couple hours prior to scoring into bars and placing in the dehydrator. 

Ingredients:

1/4 cup hemp seeds
1/2 cup rolled oats 
1 tsp cinnamon
pinch of sea salt
1 cup pitted dates
2 tbsp shredded coconut
1/2 tsp vanilla

Place the hemp seeds, rolled oats, sea salt and cinnamon into a blender or food processor. Work them until the ingredients are chunky like shown below:

Add the dates and vanilla to the mixture.  Continue to process until a ball forms.  Then toss in the coconut shreds, processing for 15-30 seconds additional. 

Remove mixture and form into balls.

Place into a dehydrator.  Dehydrate at approximately 135 for 8-12 hours.  

This recipe leaves itself wide open for variations.  Not a coconut fan? Leave it out.  Have a love of pistachios?  Toss some in during the final 15-30 seconds. 

If you discover or already have a favorite combination, leave us a comment.  The dehydrator is always on at our house.