Quick and Easy Sweet Treat

Coconut balls are perfect for any special occasion … or simply when you want something sweet and yummy. I like the as dessert or with a cup of coffee. These no-bake coconut balls with condensed milk have a deep, rich flavor that is so satisfying!

I make them with just a couple of simple ingredients, and then wind up with a sweet treat that’s worthy of any special occasion. One of the things I love about coconut, besides the flavor, is the texture.

They’re perfect for dessert after this Hawaiian chicken dinner or while enjoying your favorite coffee. It’s also a great addition to your holiday offerings or game night snack table.

If you want some festive color, you can add a few drops of food coloring to the coconut. I prefer to leave them as-is, but it’s always nice to have options.

Coconut Balls AKA Coconut Truffles

Another name for these delicious coconut balls is coconut truffles. Add almonds and chocolate, and each one is a little Almond Joy candy bar. But more on that later. I love no bake desserts, especially when I have to use my oven for other things. This is a great addition to any dessert table, and no one has to know how easy they are to make.

Ingredients You’ll Need to Make Coconut Balls

This is not only a delicious treat, but it’s also budget friendly using a couple of simple ingredients that you can find on the baking aisle at any grocery store. And when I say a couple, I mean that literally! There are only 2 ingredients!

Here they are:

• Desiccated coconut (also shredded coconut or coconut flakes) 
• Sweetened condensed milk

Optional Ingredient Variations

If you would like to make these even better or offer a variety of flavors, here are some add-ons you might want to try:

• Dark chocolate (using semi-sweet chocolate chips)
• White chocolate
• Milk chocolate
• Almonds
• Vanilla extract
• Almond extract

*Note: You can make the holidays or any special occasion even more festive by adding a few drops of food coloring to the coconut. I like these any time of year, and it’s fun to add color to brighten the day.

For Christmas time, add a few green and red coconut balls to the ones without the food coloring. For Halloween or even Thanksgiving, use yellow and orange. If you want to serve these for a baby shower, you can do a gender reveal by coloring them pink or blue.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Before you begin mixing any of the ingredients, put about 1/2 cup of coconut flakes in a small bowl and set it aside to roll the coconut balls in later. If you want more coconut on them, you can add more flakes to this bowl.

Just remember that a little coconut goes a long way when you’re just coating the balls.

Pour the remaining coconut flakes and the entire can of sweetened condensed milk into a large mixing bowl. 

Stir them together until well mixed. It’s hard to stir, but you can do it.

You can use either a small cookie scoop or tablespoon to scoop out the coconut mixture. Form the mixture into 1-inch balls. In order to keep the coconut mixture from sticking to your hands, lightly coat your hands with oil.

Roll each ball into the coconut flakes that you set aside. Place them on a baking pan or cookie sheet in a single layer. Cover the pan with waxed paper, parchment paper, aluminum foil … or don’t cover it at all.

Put the pan of coconut balls in the refrigerator and chill for at least an hour. I prefer to leave them longer so they have a chance to dry out a bit and get really firm.

More Tips for Making the Best Coconut Balls

Follow the instructions to make delicious coconut balls, and they’ll turn out great! Here are some extra tips that I’ve discovered through trial and error:

• Start with the freshest and best ingredients you can afford.
• Mix the ingredients well for even distribution. But don’t over-mix because that may cause the coconut balls to be too dense.
• Add some of your favorite flavors to vary the taste. A small amount of lemon extract will delight people who enjoy the balance of sweet and tart.
• Make sure the mixture is well chilled to help roll it into balls.
• Use a scoop or measuring spoon to get consistency in the size of the coconut balls.
• For an elegant presentation, place each coconut ball in a small cupcake liner. Foil liners add a festive touch.
• Drizzle a little bit of chocolate or fruit sauce over the coconut balls.
• Add cocoa powder to the mixture.
• Toss a few mini chocolate chips, peanut butter chips, or sprinkles into the mixture.

How to Keep Leftover Coconut Balls

These coconut balls will be good for at least a week if you refrigerate them. You can either put them in an airtight container or seal them in plastic. I usually use a ziplock bag. If you want to keep them longer, put them in an airtight container and freeze them for up to a couple of months. If you freeze them, thaw before serving. 

Make these ahead of the holiday season and freeze them. That way, if you need an extra dessert or treat, you’ll have one at the ready. All you have to do is set them out and let them thaw at room temperature for about an hour, and they’re ready to enjoy!

Are No Bake Coconut Balls Vegan?

When made with sweetened condensed milk, these coconut balls are vegetarian but not vegan. However, if you substitute a mixture of coconut milk, sugar, and vanilla, they are.

Another Sweet Coconut Treat to Celebrate

I love making yummy coconut desserts, especially those that require very little effort. Coconut lovers won’t be able to resist these super easy-to-make Coconut Macaroons. They make excellent gifts for any special occasion!

Easy but Delicious Coconut Balls

Yummy desserts and sweet treats don’t have to be complicated to taste good. Try these amazing coconut balls, and you’ll know exactly what I’m talking about!

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