Gluten-Free Rum Balls (No-Bake, Vegan & Dairy-Free)

These easy rum balls are vegan, gluten-free, and make a fun little no-bake treat that’s perfect for the holidays.

This chocolate rum ball recipe took a bit of experimenting to get right. I first made them without the chocolate coating and nuts. They ended up kinda mushy and not so good. I actually was ready to scrap the recipe until my husband said I should add chopped nuts on the outside.

I then added the chocolate as a way to stick the nuts onto these rum truffles. I’m no candy maker here, so no, that idea didn’t occur to me for a while. 😛

I think that the crunchy chocolate and nut layer is the perfect outer coating for the soft filling and gives these tasty morsels the delicious finishing touch they needed.

Anyway, this gluten-free rum balls recipe is sorta reminiscent of Ferrero Rocher chocolates, but homemade… and boozy. The middle is soft, and since I used coconut flour, there’s a nice coconut taste.

The rum isn’t crazy strong, but it’s definitely there. Why not make them Christmas rum balls? What better occasion? 🙂

Pro tip: I like to keep these in the fridge in a sealed container. They stay fresher longer and the chocolate coating remains nice and crisp.

Will you be making this chocolate rum ball recipe?

Let me know in the comments below if you’ve made ’em.

3 from 2 votes

Gluten-Free Rum Balls

By Natasha Bull

These easy rum balls are vegan, gluten-free, and make a fun little no-bake treat that's perfect for the holidays.

Prep: 40 minutes mins

Total: 40 minutes mins

Servings: 20 truffles (approx.)

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Ingredients 

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• ▢ 1 cup walnut pieces
• ▢ 1-2 cups vegan chocolate chips

Filling:

• ▢ 1 cup coconut flour
• ▢ 1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
• ▢ 3 tablespoons (packed) brown sugar
• ▢ 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• ▢ 4 tablespoons pure maple syrup
• ▢ 2-3 tablespoons dark rum
• ▢ 3/4 cup water

Instructions 

• Whisk together the dry filling ingredients in a medium bowl (the coconut flour, cocoa powder, and the sugar) then stir the wet ones (vanilla, maple syrup, rum, water) in. Stir until you've got a smooth mixture and pop the bowl in the fridge. 
• The walnuts need to be in really small pieces. You can either chop them up in a food processor (but don't totally pulverize them) or put them in a Ziploc and smash them with a rolling pin.  
• Form the filling into balls. I find smaller balls work a lot better for this recipe... I aimed for 3/4"-1" balls. 
• Melt the chocolate. I do this in 15 second intervals in the microwave (note: it's really easy to burn dairy-free chocolate so do it very carefully or use a double boiler). I suggest starting with one cup and melting more if/when you run out so you don't waste it. 
• Dip the balls in the chocolate and then gently roll them in the walnuts. This process can get a little messy, so just have fun with it. Add the finished balls to a plate or baking sheet. Once they're all done, pop them in the freezer for about 20 minutes to set. Once they've set, I suggest keeping them in a sealed container in the fridge and taking them out just prior to serving. 

Notes

• Please check to ensure the chocolate and rum you use are gluten-free as not all varieties are if you have a gluten sensitivity.

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If you’re looking for more holiday treats, you may also like my vegan cranberry mini cheesecakes or my vegan gingerbread bars.