I’ll admit to being a pretty BIG fan of coconut! Coconut oil, coconut cream, coconut flakes, coconut water, coconut flour, coconut flesh…there’s always at least two of these floating around my kitchen. Want to know why I love eating coconut? I’ve written about the health benefits of coconut in a post about fats, here. I’ve also written about how versatile coconut oil can be for beauty purposes here.

1. SPIRULINA NUT BALLS

This is my own take on a couple of recipes I’ve tried! Let me know what you think!

• 1 tablespoon spirulina
• 1 cup of raw nuts (almonds, brazil nuts and cashews are good)
• 1/4 cup almond meal
• 1/4 cup pumpkin seeds
• 1/2 jar almond spread
• 1/2 cup tahini
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 scoop vanilla protein powder (optional)
• 1 teaspoon granulated stevia
• coconut to roll

Process

Combine nuts and pumpkin seeds in a food processor, then blend all ingredients together in a bowl. The mix should come together when squished with your hands. Add more almond meal if too wet or tahini if too dry. Can also add a squeeze of orange or lime juice. Form into small balls and roll in coconut, then place on tray lined with baking paper and put in the fridge for at least 1 hour.

Makes 12

 

2. ALMOND ORANGE COCONUT COOKIES

This recipe is from Paleo Magazine, with slight modifications. It’s so easy to make and great as a little yummy snack on the go to curb the sweet cravings!

• 1 cup almond meal
• 1/4 cup coconut flakes
• 1/4 cup raw honey or rice malt syrup for sugar free option (may also need a bit of stevia)
• 2 TBSP butter, melted
• 1 TBSP orange zest

Process

1. Preheat oven to 180 C
2. In medium bowl, mix the almond meal, orange zest and coconut flakes.
3. Add the butter and honey.  Stir well.
4. Place small spoonfuls on a tray lined with baking paper.  Pat down each spoonful a little.
5. Bake at 180 C for 10-11 minutes.
6. Let cool on cookie sheet for about 5 minutes then move to a cooling rack and cool for at least 5 more minutes.
7. Enjoy!

Makes 8-12 cookies.

 

3. TRAIL MIX

This is a simple one I make when I know I’m going to be on the go all day.

• activated almonds (soak raw almonds in purified water for 12 hours then roast on very low temperature at around 65 C for 12-24 hours)
• coconut flakes
• chocolate coated goji berries or plain goji berries

Process

Combine all ingredients and voila! WARNING: nuts and trail mixes are very addictive! Limit consumption to 1-2 handfuls in a day.

4. BERRIES AND COCONUT CREAM DELIGHT

Don’t have a pic for this one sorry! But it looks very appetizing, I promise 🙂

• coconut cream that has been refrigerated
• frozen mixed berries
• cinnamon

Process

Very easy peasy. Simply blend all ingredients and serve! Great as an arvo snack or dessert. Can also freeze coconut cream and use it like ice-cream!

 

5. COCONUT CHICKEN FINGERS

This yummy snack tastes just as good cold as it does hot! Great as a mid morn/arvo snack, and packed full of protein and good fats! Can’t go wrong!

 

• chicken tenderloins
• coconut flour
• coconut butter (Loving Earth is my fav)
• ground paprika (optional)

Process

Mix paprika with coconut flour. Coat chicken in coconut flour then fry in the coconut butter. You will need a bit more coconut butter than usual as the flour tends to soak it up.

Hope you enjoy these! Please let me know if you make any – post your thoughts below and if there’s any coconut recipes you love eating as a yummy snack! 🙂