New Year Citrus Bites (Printable Version)
Zesty citrus bites combining orange, lemon, almond flour, and honey for a fresh, fruity snack.
# What You'll Need:
→ Fruits
01 - 1 large orange (zested and juiced)
02 - 1 large lemon (zested and juiced)
→ Dry Ingredients
03 - 1 1/2 cups almond flour (approx. 5.3 oz)
04 - 1/2 cup desiccated coconut (approx. 2.1 oz)
05 - 1/2 cup powdered sugar (approx. 2.1 oz)
06 - 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
→ Wet Ingredients
07 - 2 tablespoons honey
08 - 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
→ Coating
09 - 1/4 cup desiccated coconut (approx. 1.1 oz) for rolling
# How To Make:
01 - Wash and dry the orange and lemon thoroughly. Zest both fruits, then juice them into a small bowl.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, blend almond flour, desiccated coconut, powdered sugar, and salt until evenly combined.
03 - Add citrus zest, 2 tablespoons each of orange and lemon juice, honey, and vanilla extract to the dry mixture. Stir thoroughly until a soft, slightly sticky dough forms.
04 - Form the dough into 1-inch balls using your hands. If too sticky, refrigerate the dough for 10 minutes before shaping.
05 - Roll each ball evenly in the extra desiccated coconut to coat the surface.
06 - Arrange the coated bites on a parchment-lined tray and refrigerate for at least 20 minutes prior to serving.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- They're ready in 30 minutes with barely any baking required, just natural citrus doing the heavy lifting.
- One bite tastes like springtime arrived early, and people always ask how something so bright could be so simple.
- They stay fresh in the fridge for nearly a week, perfect for sneaking handfuls when you need a little zest boost.
02 -
- The mixture will feel sticky at first, but that's exactly right—don't add more flour or they'll turn dry and dense.
- Fresh citrus zest is non-negotiable; bottled zest tastes like cardboard compared to what you get from a microplane.
- If you refrigerate these for the full 20 minutes, they'll hold their shape perfectly; rushing this step means they'll soften too quickly once they hit room temperature.
03 -
- A microplane is worth its weight in gold for zesting; it captures all the fragrant oils and none of the bitter white pith underneath.
- Room-temperature bites taste different than chilled ones—chilled brings out brightness, room temperature reveals the nuttiness of the almond flour, so choose based on the moment.