These Raspberry Bliss Balls are the perfect nutritious snack for your little one, especially if you’re following the baby-led weaning method. Made with wholesome ingredients like oats, coconut oil, chia seeds, and naturally sweetened with banana and raspberries, these bite-sized treats are not only delicious but also offer numerous health benefits. They’re easy to prepare, making them a great option for on-the-go meals or snacks that will have your baby excited to explore new flavors and textures.

Full Recipe: 

Ingredients

• 1 cup oats (75g)

• 3 tbsp milk (any type)

• 2 tbsp coconut oil

• A handful of raspberries (about 80g)

• Organic chia seeds

• 1 banana

Directions

1. Prepare the Oats: Pulse rolled oats in a blender or food processor until they turn into a fine oat flour.

2. Mix the Ingredients: In a bowl, combine the oat flour, milk, chia seeds, mashed banana, coconut oil, and raspberries. Use a fork to mash the mixture together.

3. Shape the Balls: Line a baking tray with parchment paper. Preheat your oven to 170°C (340°F). Use a tablespoon or ice cream scoop to grab portions of the mixture and roll them into small balls with your hands. Place them on the prepared baking tray.

4. Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for about 15 minutes, or until the bliss balls firm up slightly.

5. Cool: Let the raspberry bliss balls cool completely before serving them to your baby.

Nutrients

Each Raspberry Bliss Ball is a wholesome treat with essential nutrients for your baby. Here’s an approximate breakdown per serving:

• Calories: 62 kcal

• Sugar: 2 g

• Sodium: 2 mg

• Fat: 3 g

  • Saturated Fat: 2 g

  • Unsaturated Fat: 1 g

• Carbohydrates: 8 g

  • Fiber: 2 g

  • Protein: 1 g

• Cholesterol: 0 mg

The Benefits of Baby-Led Weaning and Healthy Snacks

Baby-led weaning (BLW) is a popular approach to introducing solid foods to babies, allowing them to self-feed and explore food at their own pace. One of the main benefits of BLW is that it encourages babies to develop a healthy relationship with food by letting them interact with different textures, tastes, and colors. It helps babies learn to chew and swallow solid food while fostering independence and confidence in eating.

However, finding healthy, easy-to-prepare snacks that fit the guidelines of baby-led weaning can sometimes be a challenge. That’s where Raspberry Bliss Balls come in. These snacks are made with simple, whole food ingredients, which means they are free from added sugars, preservatives, or artificial flavors. The oats, banana, chia seeds, and coconut oil used in this recipe provide essential nutrients like fiber, healthy fats, and protein that support your baby’s growth and development. These bliss balls are not only great for your baby but also serve as a healthy snack for toddlers and even adults, making them a versatile choice for the whole family.

Wholesome Ingredients: Oats, Banana, and Coconut Oil

Raspberry Bliss Balls are primarily made with three key ingredients: oats, banana, and coconut oil. Oats are an excellent source of fiber, which aids digestion and helps keep babies feeling full longer. The soluble fiber found in oats also helps regulate blood sugar levels and promotes heart health. By grinding the oats into oat flour, the texture becomes smooth and easy for babies to chew and digest, making it an ideal base for these bliss balls.

Bananas are another important ingredient in Raspberry Bliss Balls. They are naturally sweet, which adds flavor and eliminates the need for any added sugars. Bananas are rich in potassium, an essential mineral that supports healthy brain and muscle function. The soft, mushy texture of ripe bananas makes them easy for babies to mash and helps bind the ingredients together to form the bliss balls.

Coconut oil contributes healthy fats to the recipe, which are crucial for brain development in babies. It also helps hold the mixture together, adding to the chewiness of the balls. Coconut oil is known for its medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs), which are easily digestible and provide a quick source of energy. These healthy fats also support skin health and provide a nourishing base for the recipe.

Chia Seeds: A Superfood for Babies

Chia seeds are tiny but mighty, offering a wealth of health benefits for growing babies. These tiny seeds are an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids, which are essential for brain development and cognitive function. Omega-3s play a critical role in supporting eye health and reducing inflammation in the body.

In addition to healthy fats, chia seeds are packed with fiber, which promotes digestive health and can help prevent constipation, a common issue for babies during the weaning process. Chia seeds are also a good source of protein and calcium, both of which are necessary for strong bones and muscles. When added to Raspberry Bliss Balls, chia seeds contribute to the nutritional density of the snack, making it a powerhouse of vitamins and minerals that support your baby’s health.

Raspberries: A Burst of Nutrients and Flavor

Raspberries are rich in vitamin C, which is essential for the development of a healthy immune system and the production of collagen, which helps the body maintain healthy skin, blood vessels, and bones. Vitamin C is also a potent antioxidant that helps protect cells from damage caused by free radicals.

In addition to vitamin C, raspberries are high in fiber, which supports digestive health and helps keep babies regular. The naturally sweet and tart flavor of raspberries adds a burst of freshness to the bliss balls, making them even more enticing for babies who are exploring new flavors. The vibrant color of raspberries also makes the bliss balls visually appealing, enticing your little one to enjoy the snack.

A Versatile Snack: Customizing Your Raspberry Bliss Balls

One of the best aspects of Raspberry Bliss Balls is their versatility. The recipe can be easily adapted to suit your baby’s preferences or dietary needs. For example, if your baby has a nut allergy, you can substitute the peanut butter with another nut or seed butter, such as almond butter, sunflower seed butter, or cashew butter. These alternatives will still provide the healthy fats and protein your baby needs.

If you’re looking to add more variety to the flavor, you can incorporate other fruits like mashed peaches, blueberries, or strawberries into the mixture. These fruits not only enhance the flavor but also offer a wide range of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that are beneficial for your baby’s growth.

For a little extra crunch, you can add finely chopped nuts, seeds, or dried fruits to the mix, depending on your baby’s age and ability to handle textures. These additions will add a new dimension to the bliss balls and keep them exciting and enjoyable for your little one to explore.

How to Store and Serve Raspberry Bliss Balls

Raspberry Bliss Balls are incredibly easy to store and serve. After baking, let the bliss balls cool completely before storing them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They can last up to a week, making them a great option for meal prepping or keeping on hand for busy days. For longer storage, you can freeze the bliss balls. Simply place them in a freezer-safe container or bag, and they will keep for up to three months. To serve, simply take them out of the freezer and let them thaw for a few minutes before serving to your baby.

These bliss balls are perfect for on-the-go snacking, especially when you’re out running errands or traveling. They make for a healthy addition to your baby’s lunchbox or as a snack during playtime, offering a balanced combination of protein, fiber, and healthy fats.

The Nutritional Benefits of Raspberry Bliss Balls

Raspberry Bliss Balls are packed with nutrients that support your baby’s growth and development. The oats provide complex carbohydrates for sustained energy, while the chia seeds and coconut oil offer healthy fats that promote brain and heart health. The banana and raspberries offer natural sweetness along with an abundance of vitamins and minerals, including vitamin C and potassium, which are essential for immune function and bone health.

These bliss balls are also a good source of protein, which is necessary for building and repairing tissues, as well as for muscle development. The fiber content in the oats, chia seeds, and raspberries supports digestive health and helps maintain healthy bowel movements, which is crucial during the weaning process.

Since Raspberry Bliss Balls are naturally sweetened with fruit and honey, they provide a healthier alternative to sugary, processed snacks. They also contain no dairy, making them suitable for babies with dairy sensitivities or those following a dairy-free diet.

Conclusion: A Wholesome, Easy-to-Prepare Snack

Raspberry Bliss Balls are a nutritious, easy-to-make snack that provides essential nutrients for babies, toddlers, and even adults. Packed with fiber, protein, and healthy fats, these chewy and delicious treats are perfect for babies following the baby-led weaning method. The combination of oats, chia seeds, coconut oil, banana, and raspberries creates a wholesome snack that’s naturally sweetened and free from artificial additives.

Not only are Raspberry Bliss Balls a great source of energy and nutrition, but they are also incredibly versatile and easy to customize. With the option to add different fruits, seeds, or nut butters, these bliss balls can be tailored to suit your baby’s preferences and dietary needs. Their convenience, delicious flavor, and health benefits make them a perfect snack for families looking for a wholesome option to fuel their day. Whether you’re making them for your baby or as a treat for yourself, Raspberry Bliss Balls are sure to become a favorite in your household.