Meet your new favorite snack: Black Sesame Walnut Bliss Balls. They're rich, nutty, chewy and packed with delicious goji berries, nourishing jujubes and a hint of gut friendly warming spices. Plus, these no-bake energy balls are gluten-free, dairy-free and ready in under 20 minutes.
Perfect for after-school snacks, a healthy tea-time treat or even a special addition to a holiday cookie tray. If you are prone to burning the candle at both ends and are feeling depleted, try these guilt free treats to nourish your kidney yin and to replenish jing, thanks to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM).
We love keeping these tasty treats in the freezer for those moments when you need a little boost or something sweet. Trust us, once you try them, you'll wonder how you ever lived without them.
Jump to:
- Black Sesame Viral Trend
- Recipe Inspiration
- Ingredients & Health Benefits
- How to Make Black Sesame Balls
- Recipe Tips
- Substitutions and Variations
- Garnish Ideas
- How to Store Black Sesame Energy Balls
- How to Serve
- What is the serving size of black sesame balls?
- Easy Black Sesame Dessert Recipes
- No Bake Bliss Ball Recipes
- Black Sesame Walnut Bliss Balls
- Kidney Yin Nourishing and Jing Supporting
- How to Prevent the Depletion of Jing?
- Sources:
Black Sesame Viral Trend
This black sesame recipe is going to be the start of a new viral trend. Inspired by one the most requested Hong Kong recipes, our Homemade Black Sesame Paste, these bliss balls are deeply nutty, sweet and have an addictive earth umami flavor that we just can't get enough of.
The roasting of the black sesame seeds and walnuts gives these black sesame balls a warm comforting flavor, whilst the Chinese red dates, goji berries and honey add sweetness. Hands down, these little balls of awesomeness are one of our favorite ways to replenish our energy.
Recipe Inspiration
Have you ever visited the Sheung Wan district in Hong Kong? These streets are filled with Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Shops and small shops selling herbal ingredients. I was feeling a bit tired and run down so I went to look for a natural way to get my energy back. I tried these little "Baifeng Wan" medicine balls, enclosed in wax balls, to revitalize me.
Oh, my goodness, they tasted horrible! Well maybe not horrible, but certainly not good. They were slightly sweet due to the honey but extra bitter from the herbs. So that got me thinking…
What if there was a way to nourish your body with delicious everyday ingredients that tasted delicious and were a fun to eat on the go? That is how the recipe for these easy no bake energy bliss balls with black sesame seeds was born.
Ingredients & Health Benefits
Black Sesame Seeds (Hei Zhi Ma): nutrient -rich and roasted for a deep nutty flavor. Unhulled sesame seeds have more nutrients than hulled so pick this option, if it is availbale to you. Black colored foods are believed to help nourish Kidney Yin Deficiency and replenish jing (our vital essence).
In TCM, black sesame seeds are believed to help with constipation, combat premature graying and nourish the blood. (1) Whether you like a dollop of black sesame paste in a latte, in a bite sized bliss ball or prefer gluten free black sesame cookies, these nourishing seeds are packed with antioxidants.
Walnuts (Huo Ta Ren): These delicious nuts are earthy, rich and buttery in flavor. According to Giovanni, Walnuts in TCM, may help boost kidney qi and brain health along with other functions. (2) You can substitute with almonds although their function is more to lubricate the intestines and may help benefit the lungs.
Jujubes - (Chinese red dates) - dried whole or you can use ⅓ cup date paste. Chinese red dates may help strengthen digestion and nourish the blood along with being sweet and delicious. (3) As an exchange, try dried medjool dates. They are sweeter so you may want to use less of them or reduce the amount of honey.
Goji Berries (Gou Qi Zi) - Sweet, energizing and delicious in a cup of goji berry and red dates tea.In TCM, this fruit is known as a tonic herb. They may help support kidney yin, liver, boost vitality and prevent aging. (4) All we know is that they are delicious in smoothies, as a topping in yogurt, chia seed puddings and they rock in these Chinese black sesame jing ball recipe. (Just as a quick FYI - Be careful adding goji berries to recipes, IF you are on blood thinners. (5)
Honey - Is sweet and delicious but also helps the black sesame and walnut mixture form into balls. It acts as a binder. In TCM, honey may help strengthen digestion and support spleen qi. (6)
Gut Friendly Spices - warming ginger, cinnamon and cardamon.These dried spices are not required but may help with digestion, warm you up, and add extra flavor to the recipe. You only need a little bit, as you don't want to overpower the deep nutty rich flavor of the black sesame seeds and toasted walnuts.
How to Make Black Sesame Balls
- Rinse and soak jujubes and goji berries in hot water and remove pit from dates.
- Toast the black sesame seeds and walnuts in a dry pan.
- Pulse in food processor until pulverized.
- Add drained jujubes and goji berries to the food processor with the black sesame seeds and walnuts.
- Sprinkle in ginger, cinnamon and cardamon if desired.
- Drizzle in honey and continue to blend in the food processor until the mixture starts to stick together.
- Roll into balls.
- Garnish this gluten-free snack with crushed walnuts, roasted black sesame seeds and goji berries, if desired.
Recipe Tips
- Don't pitch the water used to soak the jujubes and goji berries as this makes for a delicious nourishing hot tea beverage.
- A high-powered blender or small food processor works best for pulverizing and blending the ingredients.
- Stop the food processor occasionally and push down the black sesame seed mixture down to the blades with a spoon or spatula to facilitate the blending of ingredients.
- The amount of honey depends on the size of your dates; how powerful your food processor is and the humidity of your kitchen. You may need less or more honey to form into balls.
- The natural oils in the black sesame seeds and walnuts will make the energy bites look shiny, and your hands when you roll them. In addition, this oil will help the mixture form into balls.
Substitutions and Variations
- Want to make this black sesame recipe vegan? Try maple syrup, instead of honey or add more dates.
- Black sesame bliss balls are naturally gluten-free. If you are celiac, be sure to purchase certified gluten-free ingredients.
- Add different nuts or seeds such as pumpkin seeds, pecans, almonds or even pistachios. Although these nuts and seeds are also a healthy option, they do not have the safe medicinal qualities for boosting kidney and brain health in TCM.
- Go Tropical! Try adding dried desiccated coconut, dried pineapple or dried mango for a healthy on the go snack.
- Chocolate Lover? Sprinkle with unsweetened cocoa powder or add mini dark chocolate chips before rolling.
- Virgin Black Sesame Seed Snobs like us? Skip the added spices or added flavorings and let the deeply roasted black sesame flavor be the dominant flavor.
Garnish Ideas
- crushed walnuts
- toasted black sesame seeds or white sesame seeds
- dried jujubes
- toasted coconut flakes
- unsweetened cocoa powder
How to Store Black Sesame Energy Balls
Room Temperature: for up to a week in a sealed container.
Refrigerator: for up to 2 weeks in a sealed container.
Freezer: up to 3 months in a sealed container. Allow the black sesame energy balls to come to room temperature for about 15 minutes before enjoying. This is our favorite method.
How to Serve
- Try them with a hot cup of tea or coffee.
- Go all out with a black sesame latte with matcha foam.
- Serve on a cookie tray with your other 60 favorite cookies recipes from around the world.
- Plain is our favorite way to give us a boost of energy.
What is the serving size of black sesame balls?
We suggest one to two black sesame balls per serving. Black sesame seeds are nutrient dense, packed with fiber and have a moderate amount of healthy fats and calories, so it is best to restrict the dosage to 1 to 2 balls.
Easy Black Sesame Dessert Recipes
No Bake Bliss Ball Recipes
Black Sesame Walnut Bliss Balls
Equipment
- food processor
Ingredients
- ⅓ cup goji berries
- 6 - 8 jujubes (Chinese red dates) *see notes
- boiled water enough to soak goji berries and jujubes
- 1 cup black sesame seeds
- ¾ cup walnuts
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon dried ground (optional)
- ½ teaspoon ginger dried ground (optional)
- ½ teaspoon cardamom dried ground (optional)
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 2 - 4 tablespoons honey
Instructions
- Rinse 6 to 8 Chinese red dates (jujubes) and ⅓ cup goji berries and soak in boiled water for 5 minutes to soften. Set aside,
- In the meantime, toast 1 cup sesame seeds and ¾ cup walnuts over medium high heat for about 5 minutes or until popping and roasted aroma. Cool
- Drain jujubes and goji berries. Remove the pit and coarsely chop the jujubes.
- Add cooled black sesame seeds and walnuts to a food processor. Pulse until finely ground. Occasionally brush down the sides.
- Add the prepared goji berries and Chinese red dates to the food processor with the ground black sesame mixture. Push the mixture down into the food processor so the blades can rotate, put the lid on and blend until broken down and mixed well.
- To the pureed black sesame mixture, add 1 teaspoon dried cinnamon, ½ teaspoon ginger, ½ teaspoon cardamon, ¼ teaspoon salt and 2 tablespoons of honey. Blend and periodically clean the sides of the food processor and continue mixing until the mixture changes from a powder to a dough that sticks together. If the mixture is still not sticking together, add one tablespoon of honey at a time and continue mixing. Depending on the humidity, the moisture level of the soaked goji berries and Chinese red dates and how powerful your food processor or high-powered blender is, it will probably take you between 2 to 4 tablespoons of honey to achieve a pliable black sesame mixture that can be formed into a ball.
- Use a tablespoon as a scoop and form into balls.
- Garnish with sesame seeds, ground walnuts or goji berries. Enjoy!
Video
Notes
- Don't pitch the water used to soak the jujubes and goji berries as this makes for a delicious nourishing hot tea beverage.
- A high-powered blender or small food processor works best for pulverizing and blending the ingredients.
- Stop the food processor occasionally and push down the black sesame seed mixture down to the blades with a spoon or spatula to facilitate the blending of ingredients.
- The amount of honey depends on the size of your dates; how powerful your food processor is and the humidity of your kitchen. You may need less or more honey to form into balls.
- The natural oils in the black sesame seeds and walnuts will make the balls look shiny, and your hands when you roll them. In addition, this oil will help the mixture form into balls.
- Want to make this black sesame recipe vegan? Try maple syrup, instead of honey or add more dates.
- Black sesame bliss balls are naturally gluten-free. If you are celiac, be sure to purchase certified gluten-free ingredients.
- Add different nuts or seeds such as pumpkin seeds, pecans, almonds or even pistachios. Although these nuts and seeds are also a healthy option, they do not have the safe medicinal qualities for boosting kidney and brain health in TCM.
- Go Tropical! Try adding dried desiccated coconut, dried pineapple or dried mango.
- Chocolate Lover? Sprinkle with unsweetened cocoa powder or add mini dark chocolate chips before rolling.
- Virgin Black Sesame Seed Snobs like us? Skip the added spices or added flavorings and let the deeply roasted black sesame flavor be the dominant flavor.
Nutrition
Kidney Yin Nourishing and Jing Supporting
Ok, we are going to get a little medical nerdy here for a moment. We want to let you know that you can replenish jing and nourish kidney yin through diet and lifestyle changes. If you are experiencing menopausal symptoms or premature aging, hang with us for a bit. We have a solution coming your way.
Did you know that according to TCM, we are born with "jing"?
Jing is the fundamental essence that fuels your growth and development.
There is also "post-natal jing" which is derived from the foods we eat, and it is stored in the kidneys. This post-natal jing fuels us, helps us continue to grow, develop, reproduce and hopefully helps us live a long and prosperous life. However, everyday stress, poor eating habits, chronic illnesses, childbirth and just life in general has a way of using up our jing.
As we grow older, menopausal symptoms like hot flashes, dryness and insomnia are believed to be because of imbalance and the result is kidney yin deficiency. It's due to the gradual reduction in jing and depletion of kidney yin (cooling) and the predominance of Kidney Yang (warming).
How to Prevent the Depletion of Jing?
In today's busy world, we have a tendency to overdo it until you are completely drained and this causes a reduction of jing which is not good for your health. To prevent the depletion of Jing (in Traditional Chinese Medicine), focus on getting adequate rest, eating a nourishing diet as Food is Medicine, practicing gentle movement like Tai Chi or yoga, and managing stress.
These practices may help conserve the body's essence. Your essence is a finite resource that is both inherited and replenished through nourishment. When you need a little extra nutritional boost, enjoy a black sesame walnut bliss ball or two!
Sources:
- Zhenxia Xu, Min Li, Nanjie Jiang, Changqing Gui, Yunhai Wang, Yuting An, Xia Xiang, Qianchun Deng, Black sesame seeds: Nutritional value, health benefits, and food industrial applications, Trends in Food Science & Technology, Volume 153, 104740
- Maciocia, Giovanni (1989). "ch. 3: The Vital Substances", The Foundations of Chinese Medicine. Churchill Livingstone. ISBN 0-443-03980-1
- Bai, Ming, et. al, 2018/01/01, Characteristics and Application Analysis of Chinese Medicinal Herbs Containing Dates, 10.2991/essd-18.2018.66.
- Hu Shunkai, et. al., Lycium barbarum (goji berry): A comprehensive review of chemical composition, bioactive compounds, health-promoting activities, and applications in functional foods and beyond, Food Chemistry, Volume 496, Part 1, 2025, 146588.
- H. Leung, A. Hung, A.C.F. Hui, T.Y.K. Chan, Warfarin overdose due to the possible effects of Lycium barbarum L., Food and Chemical Toxicology, Volume 46, Issue 5, 2008, 1860-1862, ISSN 0278-6915.
- Mohamed G. Sharaf El-Din, Abdelaziz F.S. Farrag, Liming Wu, Yuan Huang, Kai Wang, Health benefits of honey: A critical review on the homology of medicine and food in traditional and modern contexts, Journal of Traditional Chinese Medical Sciences, Volume 12, Issue 2, 2025, Pages 147-164, ISSN 2095-7548.
- Scheid V. Traditional Chinese medicine--what are we investigating? The case of menopause. Complement Ther Med. 2007 Mar;15(1):54-68. doi: 10.1016/j.ctim.2005.12.002. Epub 2006 Feb 9. PMID: 17352972; PMCID: PMC2233879.
Hannah says
I'm always thrilled to see a new black sesame dessert! These look so decadent yet are made with all healthy, whole foods. It's really the ideal treat.
HWC Magazine says
Thank you Hannah! You can certainly make these black sesame bliss balls using maple syrup to keep them vegan. We hope you give them a try soon. Take Care
Lynn says
I am completely addicted to these little black sesame balls since you brought a batch over. The perfect little bite of energy to get me through the day. I made a batch the other day and skipped adding the dried spices and it was still so good. That deep nutty flavour is so addictive. Thanks again!
HWC Magazine says
You are very welcome Lynn. Delighted you enjoy these black sesame bliss balls as much as we do. Enjoy and please take care and stay well!