The benefits of dry fruit for kids are well known and most Moms try to get their little ones to eat at least a little once in a while. But most kids reject dry fruit when presented just the way they are, so Moms have to get a little innovative with it!! And one such recipe is that of Dry Fruit Balls for Toddlers – cute little balls, packed with nutrition and natural goodness. Now let’s see them turning their noses away! These are also perfect for Eid – they’re no bake, so they can be made in advance, and you have something tasty and healthy to serve your guests, instead of all that candy!
Dry Fruit Balls for Toddlers
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup dates, pitted and chopped
- 1/4 cup dried figs, chopped
- 1/4 cup mixed nuts – almonds, cashews
- 3/4 cup plain oats
- 1/4 cup hot milk
Method
1. Soak the dates and figs in hot milk for 1 hour.
2. Take out the pieces, leaving behind the liquid and grind to a puree. Add some liquid if the mixture is too dry. It’s okay if the puree is coarse.
3. Dry roast the nuts and oats on a low flame for a few minutes.
4. Grind the nuts and oats to a fine powder.
5. Tip the powder into a bowl, and add a little of the puree. Mix together to form a slightly sticky dough, adding more puree little by little. Use your hands if a spoon isn’t manageable.
6. Make small balls out of the dough and lay them out on a dish. Chill for at least 30 minutes.
7. Put each ball in little cupcake liners and arrange on a platter. Serve your guests with a refreshing drink.
These balls also make a lovely Eid gift. Skip the chocolates and gift these balls in a pretty box, tied up with ribbon – good health, good taste and good looks in one package!
- ½ cup dates, pitted and chopped
- ¼ cup dried figs, chopped
- ¼ cup mixed nuts - almonds, cashews
- ¾ cup plain oats
- ¼ cup hot milk
- Soak the dates and figs in hot milk for 1 hour.
- Take out the pieces, leaving behind the liquid and grind to a puree. Add some liquid if the mixture is too dry. It's okay if the puree is coarse.
- Dry roast the nuts and oats on a low flame for a few minutes.
- Grind the nuts and oats to a fine powder.
- Tip the powder into a bowl, and add a little of the puree. Mix together to form a slightly sticky dough, adding more puree little by little. Use your hands if a spoon isn't manageable.
- Make small balls out of the dough and lay them out on a dish. Chill for at least 30 minutes.
- Put each ball in little cupcake liners and arrange on a platter. Serve with a refreshing drink.
Arpita says
May 13, 2019 at 12:08 pmIs it important to use anjee/ figs ? Can u make it without it?
pr says
May 20, 2019 at 12:10 pmHi Arpita,
You can make dry fruit balls without figs too.
Bhavna says
March 12, 2019 at 9:01 pmHi Dr Hema, Can I also add dry roasted walnuts powder?
Thanks
pr says
March 13, 2019 at 5:00 pmHi,
Yes dear, you can add dry roasted walnuts too.
Neha says
November 6, 2018 at 3:00 amHi Hema
I made these dry fruits balls for my 15 month old and she loved them! Great Recipe!
Hema i wanted to add ragi flour to this recipe, do you think i can substitute the 3/4 cup plain oats to ragi flour instead?
Thanks!
Neha
pr says
November 9, 2018 at 3:07 pmHi Neha,
That’s great to know that your baby loved it. You can add ragi, but it has to be roasted well in a heavy bottomed pan, roast until the raw smell goes.Please try in small batches and let us know 🙂
Ratika says
May 10, 2018 at 12:29 pmHow long do these laddoo last? Since they have milk, what is their shelf life ?
pr says
October 6, 2018 at 7:19 pmHi, Ratika,
It can be refrigerated in airtight container for one to two weeks.
Afeefa says
May 10, 2017 at 3:01 pmHi…My daughter is 1 year old..Can I give Kellogg’s muesli to her
Dr Hemapriya says
February 7, 2018 at 3:15 pmI would not recommend any particular brand but you can give organic products to her.
Aanchal says
September 4, 2016 at 4:12 amDr Hema, instead of oats what can we substitute it with….
Sandhya says
April 29, 2016 at 10:38 pmHi Fabida,
My daughter is 15 months old. Can I even add Munakka? If I can, will it be enough to soak them along with figs and dates for 1 hr?
Anny says
March 31, 2016 at 10:45 pmHi Hema,
Is it necessary to add oats. Can we replace it with anything else?
neha says
December 16, 2015 at 4:26 pmHi what is the shelf life of these..
Rajapriya says
October 18, 2015 at 9:37 amHi for how many days these balls can be stored ?
Dr Hemapriya says
February 29, 2016 at 5:03 pm1-2 weeks
Shweta says
April 6, 2016 at 1:34 pmHi Dr. Hemapriya! I tried this recipe and it came out well. I wanted to ask if we can use water instead of milk to soak the dates and will that increase the shelf life a bit more?
Fabida Abdulla says
April 6, 2016 at 9:53 pmHi Shweta, glad you liked it! I haven’t tried these balls with water, though I suspect it’ll affect the taste. Using water may increase the shelf life of these balls.
hiya says
August 13, 2015 at 3:31 pmhii my baby is 7 month old..can i give this dryfruit ball to her??
Dr Hemapriya says
August 13, 2015 at 10:03 pmNo Hiya, please wait till 8 or 9 months as it has dry fruits
Rashmi says
August 12, 2015 at 1:05 amDr Hema,
Can i store these laddoos ay room temperature or do i need to refrigearte?
Dr Hemapriya says
August 13, 2015 at 10:42 pmHi rashmi,
It has to be refergierated