Matcha Coconut Bites
I make a batch of these every Sunday and they disappear by Wednesday. Sometimes Tuesday. I’m not proud of this, but I’m also not going to pretend they aren’t excellent. They are excellent. They’re the snack that lives in the fridge and makes you feel like you’ve got your life together.
The original recipe uses a quarter cup of maple syrup, which is where all the sugar comes from. Swapping to monk fruit liquid drops gives you the same binding sweetness with almost none of the sugar. The matcha handles the flavour, the cashew butter handles the richness, and the coconut handles the coating. Everyone has a job. Nobody is winging it.
Use ceremonial-grade matcha if you can — the colour is much more vibrant and the flavour is less bitter. Culinary-grade works, but you’ll need to add a tiny bit more.
*Per USDA FoodData Central
The Swap Snapshot
| Typical Version | The Sugar Swap Version | Sugar per serving* |
|---|---|---|
| No-Bake Energy Balls with Maple Syrup Rolled oats, nut butter, maple syrup — ¼ cup syrup across 16 balls still adds up |
Matcha Coconut Bites with Monk Fruit Monk fruit liquid drops replace maple syrup — same binding, same sweetness, no sugar |
14g→2g |
*Based on USDA FoodData Central values. The Sugar Swap is not medical or nutritional advice.
Ingredients
Makes 16 bites · Scale as needed
- 1 cup rolled oats (old-fashioned)
- ½ cup unsweetened shredded coconut (plus extra for rolling)
- ¼ cup cashew or almond butter
- 1 tbsp matcha powder (ceremonial grade preferred)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- pinch fine sea salt
- 3–4 tbsp ⇄ monk fruit liquid drops ⇄ the sweetener swap
- 2–3 tbsp water (to bind, as needed)
Instructions
-
1
Add the oats, coconut, cashew butter, matcha powder, vanilla, and salt to a food processor.
-
2
Add 3 tablespoons of monk fruit liquid drops. Process for 30–40 seconds, scraping down the sides as needed, until the mixture comes together in a sticky dough. It should hold its shape when you press it between your fingers.
⇄ Swap NoteMonk fruit liquid drops work as a direct substitute for maple syrup in no-bake recipes — they provide sweetness and a little moisture to help bind. If the mixture feels too dry, add water a tablespoon at a time until it holds together. Taste and add a fourth tablespoon of drops if you’d like more sweetness.
-
3
Roll into 16 even balls using your hands or a small cookie scoop. Roll half in extra shredded coconut for the two-tone look.
-
4
Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to firm up. Store in an airtight container.
Why I Made This Swap
Maple syrup is the standard binder in no-bake energy balls — and it does the job beautifully, but a quarter cup adds around 50g of sugar across the batch, which works out to about 14g per serving. Monk fruit liquid drops give you the same moisture and sweetness for binding without contributing sugar. The matcha, coconut, and nut butter carry all the flavour — the sweetener is just the glue that holds the whole thing together.
Common Mistakes
- Using culinary matcha without adjusting. Culinary-grade matcha is less vivid and slightly more bitter. If that’s what you have, add an extra half teaspoon and taste. The colour won’t be quite as green but the flavour will be there.
- Skipping the fridge time. These need at least 30 minutes to firm up properly. They’ll fall apart at room temperature if you skip this step. I know. I’ve tried.
- Not tasting before rolling. Sweetness is personal. Taste the mixture before you roll the balls — it’s your one chance to adjust. Add more drops or a pinch of salt as needed.
Storage
Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week, or freeze for up to 3 months. They can be eaten straight from the freezer — they firm up nicely and taste almost like a frozen treat.
Nutrition per bite
*Per USDA FoodData Central · Typical version: 14g sugar · The Sugar Swap is not medical or nutritional advice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a different nut butter?
Yes — almond butter, peanut butter, or sunflower seed butter all work. Cashew butter gives the mildest flavour so the matcha really shines, but any smooth nut butter will bind the mixture well.
Can I make these without a food processor?
You can mix by hand in a large bowl — the texture will be slightly chunkier (oats stay whole) which some people prefer. Mix everything together until fully combined, then squeeze to form balls. If it’s not sticking, add water a teaspoon at a time.
Where do I buy monk fruit liquid drops?
Most health food shops and large supermarkets stock them now. Online is often cheaper — look for a brand that lists monk fruit extract as the first ingredient. See our full sweetener guide for more on what to look for on the label.
