These delicious carrot cake energy bites are super easy to make! No nuts are needed to make this recipe, they are the perfect snack to prep for the week!
As a Nutritionist I'm always making nutrient-dense snacks! This recipe is one I like to make in the spring as a healthy easter snack. Energy balls have been my go-to snacks over the last 5 years! My other favorite bliss ball recipes are 3 ingredient pistachio balls and ginger bites!
Jump to:
- Why you will love this recipe
- Ingredients & nutrition insight
- Step-by-step instructions for carrot energy balls
- For the very best carrot energy balls
- Substitution and variations
- What to eat carrot cake energy balls with
- Watch how I make these carrot cake energy bites
- Other no-bake recipes to try
- Delicious Carrot Cake Energy Bites
- Danika Vanderpyl, C.H.N
Why you will love this recipe
- Carrot cake energy balls are super packable, bring them for a snack while hiking, at work, or to school.
- These raw carrot bites are allergy-friendly! No nuts are needed, and this is a vegan recipe.
- This recipe energy balls are made with dates but I've included recipe details to make these energy balls without dates too!!
- Make these bite-sized balls in 10-15 minutes! So fast and easy!
Ingredients & nutrition insight
- Carrots: Did you know carrot cake was first made when it was hard to get sugar or it was too expensive and carrots were added to cake as a sweetener or substitute for sugar (bakerpedia.com)! For this recipe find carrots that have a sweet taste to make this recipe extra delicious. Carrots are known to be high in vitamin A supporting eyesight.
- Rolled oats: The base of these carrot balls is oats! Use rolled oats or quick oats however, rolled oats contain more nutrition as they are less processed. Oats are high in protein, and they help in balancing blood sugar levels.
- Dates: I use medjool dates because they are so soft! Dates are a great source of B vitamins, iron, and magnesium.
- Spices: Ginger tastes delicious, use fresh ginger or dried ginger! Cinnamon, is essential for creating that carrot cake flavor. These warming herbs support the digestive system and help regulate blood sugar levels.
- Sea salt: Adding sea salt pops the flavor. I like to use Redmond salt as it is less refined and a good source of minerals.
Step-by-step instructions for carrot energy balls
Follow the photos from my kitchen to make these homemade carrot bites. Scroll down to see the recipe card for exact ingredient details.
Soak dates: Start by removing the stem and pit from dates. Place the dates in a small bowl and pour hot water over them. After 5 minutes drain the water from the dates and set aside.
Peel carrots, then cut the carrot into large chunks, then place the chunks in the food processor with the s blade and blitz until the carrot is corse small chunks, about 10 seconds. Remove the carrots from the food processor, set aside.
Place the rolled oats in the food processor (no need to wash it we will put the carrots right back in there soon!!) and blend until the oats look like course sand about 20 seconds.
Add the carrots, the drained dates, ginger, cinnamon, and sea salt to the food processor with the oats.
Blend until all the ingredients are combined and a ball of dough has formed about 1 minute.
Using a tablespoon roll the dough into energy balls. Makes about 18 to 20 balls. Store the energy balls in the fridge in a container with a lid. Because of the raw carrots, they should be eaten within 6 days.
Optional frosting ideas:
- Smear with cream cheese and place a pecan on top!
- Melt & drizzle white chocolate chips on top!
- Vegan topping: melt and drizzle coconut butter on top of each ball!
For the very best carrot energy balls
- Make sure to use soft dates! I like to use medjool dates. Soaking the dates is an important step in creating a dough texture.
- If the dough is too thick it may be from using hard dates, add 1-2 tablespoons of hot water, and process again. Sometimes blending more in the food processor is all that is needed.
- If the dough is too sticky add more oats!
- For the best flavor use organic carrots and ones that are sweet! Those farmer's market carrots are perfect.
Substitution and variations
Here are a few ways to change this healthy recipe to suit your household's preferences!
- Add nuts: Throw in a handful of walnuts, pecans, or almonds to increase the healthy fats and protein in these energy balls. Add ¼ - ½ cup.
- Add seeds: Pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, or hemp hearts are a great addition in making these even more nutrient-dense. Add ¼ cup.
- Make without dates: To make these carrot cake energy balls without dates use raisins or dried apricots instead. Be sure to soak the raisins or apricots.
- Make without oats or grain-free: To make these energy balls grain-free use walnuts, almonds, or pecans in place of the oats.
What to eat carrot cake energy balls with
- a smoothie for breakfast
- crumble it into your breakfast cereal to add nutrition
- top the balls with greek yogurt and pecans
- press the dough into energy bars
- roll the energy bites in shredded coconut
Watch how I make these carrot cake energy bites
Other no-bake recipes to try
Love carrot cake? Try this super creamy carrot smoothie and these carrot pineapple muffins!!
Did you make these carrot cake bites?! Please give this recipe a star rating and leave your comments below, I read every one, and it helps others find this recipe.
Delicious Carrot Cake Energy Bites
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 cup dates (I use 10 Medjool dates)
- 1 cup carrot 1 big carrot, or 3 small carrots
- 1 ½ cup rolled oats
- 1 teaspoon fresh ginger or powdered ginger
- 1 ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt
Instructions
- Start by removing the stem and pit from dates if needed. Place the dates in a small bowl and pour hot water over them to sit and soften. After 5 minutes drain the water from the dates and set aside.
- Cut the carrot into large chunks, then place the chunks in the food processor with the s blade and blitz until the carrot is corse small chunks, about 10 seconds. Measure one cup of carrots from the food processor to use and set aside.
- Now place the rolled oats in the food processor (no need to wash the food processor between!!) and blend until the oats look like coarse sand about 20 seconds.
- Add the carrots back in and the remaining ingredients (dates, ginger, cinnamon, and sea salt) to the food processor with the oats. Blend until the ingredients have combined and a ball of dough has formed about 1 minute.
- Using a tablespoon roll the dough into energy balls. For optional frosting, see notes below. Makes about 18. Keep energy balls in the fridge, and eat within 6 days.
Notes
- Cream cheese: Mix cream cheese and maple syrup into a spreadable frosting.
- White chocolate chips: Melt white chocolate chips and drizzle over the carrot balls.
- Coconut butter: For a dairy-free, vegan option melt coconut butter and drizzle it over the balls, as it cools it will solidify.
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- Make sure to soak the dates so they are soft! I like to use medjool dates. Soaking the dates is an important step in creating a dough texture.
- If the dough is too thick it may be from using hard dates, add 1-2 tablespoons of hot water, and process again. Sometimes blending more in the food processor is all that is needed.
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- If the dough is too sticky add more oats!
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- For the best flavor use organic carrots and ones that are sweet-tasting! Those farmer's market carrots are perfect!
Nutrition
Danika Vanderpyl, C.H.N
I create snack recipes with healthy ingredients that are mostly already in your kitchen. I'm certified in Holistic Nutrition and I care about giving my kids real food. Let me share my nutrient-dense easy snacks with you.
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