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.
Hi Dr Hema, Can I also add dry roasted walnuts powder?
Thanks
Hi,
Yes dear, you can add dry roasted walnuts too.
Hi 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
Hi 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 🙂
How long do these laddoo last? Since they have milk, what is their shelf life ?
Hi, Ratika,
It can be refrigerated in airtight container for one to two weeks.
Hi…My daughter is 1 year old..Can I give Kellogg’s muesli to her
I would not recommend any particular brand but you can give organic products to her.
Dr Hema, instead of oats what can we substitute it with….
Hi 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?
Hi Hema,
Is it necessary to add oats. Can we replace it with anything else?
Hi what is the shelf life of these..
Hi for how many days these balls can be stored ?
1-2 weeks
Hi 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?
Hi 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.
hii my baby is 7 month old..can i give this dryfruit ball to her??
No Hiya, please wait till 8 or 9 months as it has dry fruits
Dr Hema,
Can i store these laddoos ay room temperature or do i need to refrigearte?
Hi rashmi,
It has to be refergierated