You and your little ones will love these naturally colored, lightly sweetened raspberry coconut bites made with frozen raspberries. They make a healthy, portable snack or breakfast for babies, toddlers and grown-ups alike.
*Please note* this post was updated on February 20, 2019. The recipe is unchanged; photos and a short video were refreshed to show how easy these are to make.
I recently bought tofu for the first time on a whim while shopping with my baby on my back. I ended up using it in pad thai and enjoyed the experiment — turning new ingredients into simple family-friendly meals is part of the fun. Those little kitchen wins inspired me to experiment more, which is how these raspberry coconut bites were born.
These bites are naturally colored and sweetened by frozen raspberries and dates, with oats, shredded coconut and a touch of almond butter for texture and binding. If raspberries aren’t your favorite, you can swap them for another fruit like strawberries or blueberries, but raspberries give a lovely color and tart-sweet flavor that pairs well with coconut.
They’re rolled into small balls — I call them “bites” because the name sounds friendlier — and they’re best kept chilled so they stay firm. They’re easy to pack for on-the-go snacks and are gentle enough for little mouths. Make a batch and store them in the fridge for grab-and-go mornings or a quick toddler snack.
How to make raspberry coconut breakfast bites
Start a few hours ahead by measuring 1 cup of frozen raspberries into a small bowl and letting them thaw at room temperature. Reserve any juice released during thawing — that liquid helps keep the mixture moist.
Combine the thawed raspberries and their liquid in a food processor with pitted Medjool dates, rolled oats, unsweetened shredded coconut and a tablespoon of almond butter. Pulse on low until the dates are broken up and all ingredients form a sticky, uniform mixture. Chill the mixture for about 10 minutes to firm up slightly, then shape it into about 15 bites using roughly 1.5 tablespoons per bite. Roll each bite in extra shredded coconut if you like.
The whole process takes roughly 20 minutes active time. Expect your hands to get a little stained from the raspberry juice — consider it proof you made something homemade and wholesome.
Enjoy immediately or store the bites in an airtight container in the fridge for up to two weeks. They also freeze well for up to two months. At room temperature they soften but will generally hold their shape if kept cool.
Description
Naturally colored and lightly sweetened bite-sized snacks made with frozen raspberries — perfect for babies, toddlers and adults who want a simple, wholesome treat.
Ingredients
- 1 cup frozen raspberries, thawed (reserve the juice)
- 1 cup rolled oats
- 1/2 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
- 8 Medjool dates, pits removed
- 1 tbsp almond butter
Instructions
- Measure the raspberries and place them in a small bowl to thaw, about 4 hours (or until softened). Keep the juice.
- In the bowl of a food processor or blender, combine the thawed raspberries with their juice, pitted dates, shredded coconut, oats and almond butter. Pulse on low for about 3 minutes or until the dates are broken up and the mixture holds together.
- Chill the mixture in the fridge for 10 minutes to firm up. Using about 1.5 tablespoons per portion, form the mixture into approximately 15 bites. Roll each bite in additional coconut if desired. Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks or freeze for up to 2 months.
Notes: The bites are best kept chilled as they soften at room temperature. If you need a firmer texture, return them to the fridge before serving.
Raspberry Coconut Bites
- Author: Katherine
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 15 bites
Need more healthy snack ideas for little ones? Try simple recipes like coconut cream larabars, oatmeal cookies made with healthier swaps, peanut butter snack balls, raspberry coconut popsicles or baby banana muffins with no added sugar.
Watch a short video demonstrating this recipe:
Shop the tools I used in this recipe (food processor, baking sheet, etc.).