Carrot Cake Energy Balls Recipe (2024)

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5 from 4 votes

15 minutes minutes

by Marly

8

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These no-bake carrot cake energy balls are clean-eating and delicious in every bite. If you love the flavors of an egg-free carrot cake, these energy balls infused with carrots and spices will be your new favorite! so add healthy energy to your day that tastes delicious and is filling, too.

Carrot Cake Energy Balls Recipe (1)

Are you trying to infuse your life with healthier ingredients? Maybe you’ve even tried baking healthier? That can lead you down a rabbit hole of wondering is carrot cake is healthier than regular cake.

There is a time for baking, but overall, go ahead and indulge in your favorite cakes. Then return to these vegan carrot cake bites for a seriously healthy treat.

Of course, another healthy cake option is this carrot cake mug cake. It’s a perfect recipe when you’re in a hurry.

However, these energy balls are a perfect pick-me-up for the afternoon doldrums, and they’re easy to make. I actually prefer these to cookies sometimes, if you can believe it.

Table of Contents show

Why This Recipe is a Winner

  • Using carrots in energy bites adds flavor, texture, and bright color
  • Pumpkin pie spice adds the warm spices-infused flavor you expect from this healthy treat
  • Walnuts are the secret ingredient that adds the ultimate carrot cake flavor to these energy bites

Key Ingredients

You can find the full printable recipe, including ingredient quantities, below. But first, here are some explanations of ingredients and steps to help you make this recipe perfect every time.

Here are the ingredients you’ll need for this recipe, including substitution ideas:

  • Oats — This recipe uses rolled oats, otherwise known as old-fashioned oats. You could use instant oatmeal, but it will change the texture.
  • Ground flaxseed — You can adjust the amount of ground flaxseed used based on your personal taste preference. Flaxseed is a great source of omega-3s.
  • Dates — I recommend using around 10 to 12 Medjool dates. Don’t forget to remove those pits!
  • Spices — We’ll use both ground cinnamon and pumpkin pie spice to make every bite infused with these warm flavors.
  • Coconut Flakes — I use unsweetened shredded coconut in the batter. You can also roll the carrot energy balls in shredded coconut.
  • Agave Nectar — You’ll need just a bit of agave nectaror maple syrup
  • Almond butter — You could substitute peanut butter, but I find almond butter has a more neutral flavor. I buy a lot of my vegan products at Costco, including the Kirkland mixed nut butter that I use for this recipe.
  • Chopped carrots — You can use a whole carrot or several baby carrots. We always have whole carrots around for our green smoothies so that’s what I use.
  • Walnuts — I like adding chopped nuts to the batter for the flavor they add.
  • Dried cranberries — Colorful dried cranberries are added to each bite to contribute flavor, texture, and color. You can substitute raisins.

Ingredient Spotlight

Carrot Cake Energy Balls Recipe (2)

Which Dates are Best?

Medjool dates are perfect for these energy balls thanks to their soft and chewy texture with a rich, caramel-like flavor. Compared to regular dates that are firmer, Medjool dates are perfect for this recipe. Native to Morocco, Medjool dates may appear to be a dried fruit like raisins, but they are actually a fresh fruit. Removing the pit is crucial as it is very hard and can cause damage to your food processor blades. You can find Medjool dates at stores like Sprouts, health food stores, and even Costco.

Carrot Cake Energy Balls Recipe (3)

How to Make Carrot Cake Energy Balls

  1. Create oat date flour by pulsing oats, dates, flax, spices, and coconut flakes in a food processor.
  2. Add agave nectar, almond butter, and carrots and pulse several times until the carrots are broken down into small bits.
  3. Add walnuts and dried cranberries and pulse again to break them into smaller pieces.
  4. Roll dough into evenly-sized balls.
  5. Serve as is or roll in coconut flakes.

Marly’s Tips

The dates should be soft and tender. If yours are firm or have dried out, place them in a microwave-safe bowl and heat them for a few seconds.

Want to make carrot cake energy balls without dates? Substitute 1/4 to 1/2 cup of maple syrup or agave nectar for the dates.

Reader Reviews

★★★★★
These energy balls are better than having cookies. I love them and they’re healthy too!

Lauren

Forming Energy Bites

Use a cookie dough dispenser to create evenly-sized dough bites. Use your hands to roll them into balls. Serve them as is or roll them in shredded coconut flakes or chopped walnuts.

I like to reserve a few chopped nuts and dried cranberries to press some into each individual ball. That way each one has the distinctive color and flavor that these two ingredients provide.

Carrot Cake Energy Balls Recipe (4)

Storage Tips

Store carrot cake balls in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. They can be frozen in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months.

Carrot Cake Energy Balls Recipe (5)

That’s it for these carrot cake protein balls. Enjoy!

Carrot Cake Energy Balls Recipe (6)

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Carrot Cake Energy Balls Recipe (7)

Carrot Cake Energy Balls Recipe (8)

Carrot Cake Balls

High energy, clean eating snacks, these carrot cake energy bites do so much more than add healthy to your day, they taste delicious and are filling too!

5 from 4 votes

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Course: Snack

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes minutes

Total Time: 15 minutes minutes

Servings: 14

Calories: 132kcal

Author: Marly McMillen

Ingredients

  • 1 cup rolled oats
  • cup ground flaxseed
  • 1 cup medjool dates , pitted (around 10 to 12 dates)
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
  • ¼ cup coconut flakes
  • 2 tablespoons agave nectar , or maple syrup
  • 3 tablespoons almond butter
  • 1 cup chopped carrots
  • 2 tablespoons chopped walnuts
  • 2 tablespoons dried cranberries , or raisins

Instructions

  • Combine oats, ground flaxseed, dates, spices, and coconut flakes in a food processor. Pulse to combine until it resembles a coarse meal.

  • Add agave nectar, almond butter, and carrots to the food processor. Pulse several times. Use a spatula to push down contents and then pulse again until carrots are in small bits.

  • Add walnuts and dried cranberries. Pulse again to break into smaller pieces.

  • Use a cookie dough dispenser to create evenly-sized balls. Use your hands to form into balls. Serve as is or roll in coconut flakes.

  • Store energy balls in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.

Recommended Equipment

Food Processor

Cookie Scoop

Spatula

(The products above contain sponsored links to products we use and recommend)

Calories: 132kcal | Carbohydrates: 19g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 9mg | Potassium: 194mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 11g | Vitamin A: 1543IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 37mg | Iron: 1mg

The nutrition information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator and should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

Did you make this recipe?

Leave a rating below then tag @namelymarly on Instagram and hashtag it #namelymarly. I love seeing your creations!

Carrot Cake Energy Balls Recipe (2024)

FAQs

How do you keep carrots from turning green in carrot cake? ›

If your carrots turn inexplicably green with a recipe you've used many times before, the likely culprit is that the baking soda didn't get fully dispersed throughout the batter. If your carrots are turning green every time you make the recipe, the ratio of baking soda in the recipe is probably off.

Is butter or oil better for carrot cake? ›

Vegetable oil produces a more moist, tender cake than butter. Yes, butter generally tastes better, but it makes the cake come out a little firmer than I like. Don't worry—there's plenty of butter in the frosting to make up for it. Should carrot cake have raisins?

How many energy balls can I eat? ›

These 4-ingredient protein balls have about 128 calories so you should only eat 2 of these as part of a healthy amount of calories and fat. Keep in mind that you need to consider all the foods consumed in a day and keep it within the acceptable range for your height and weight.

Should I refrigerate carrot cake before frosting? ›

Cream cheese frosting and carrot cake are a little unruly when they're warm, so the fridge is your friend. The cake itself is much easier to frost and slice when it's been refrigerated — the soft, moist crumb contracts when it's chilled and doesn't tear or fall apart as easily.

Why does my carrot cake not taste like carrot? ›

The key to getting an intense carrot flavor in my cake is using two types of carrots: a caramelized carrot puree and finely shredded carrots. Roasted and pureed carrots make this cake intensely carrot flavored. Carrots are a natural source of sugar, and roasting them at a high temperature caramelizes the sugars within.

What makes a cake fluffier butter or oil? ›

The texture of cakes made with oil is—in general—superior to the texture of cakes made with butter. Oil cakes tend to bake up loftier with a more even crumb and stay moist and tender far longer than cakes made with butter. So why do most cake recipes start with butter? Flavor.

Are energy balls actually healthy? ›

No bake energy balls are a perfect healthy snack, treat, and breakfast on the go. They are balanced with healthy fats, fiber, and protein. Energy balls for runners, kids, grandma, and anyone between!

When should you eat energy balls? ›

The Benefits and Best Time to Eat an Energy Ball

Each ball offers you between 100-250 calories depending on the ingredients, which means they are great for pre and post gym.

When should I eat energy balls? ›

You can eat our delicious peanut butter protein balls anytime day or night, but they can be especially useful if you eat them in conjunction with certain daily activities. Pre-Gym: Have a protein ball or two right before your workout for an extra energy boost so you can go further and longer.

What is the green stuff in my carrot cake? ›

The green flecks are carrot but the colour has been changed by the bicarbonate of soda (baking soda) in the mixture. Some pigments are sensitive to pH balances and will change colour if they are in a very acid or very alkaline environment.

Are old carrots safe to eat? ›

Can I eat expired carrots? Yes, but make sure they aren't spoiled first. The “Use By” label means that a food item won't necessarily be of great quality past the date—but a slightly expired date doesn't automatically mean your carrots are bad.

How do you know when carrots are too old to eat? ›

Carrots that have spoiled or gone bad will usually have an odor, a slimy texture, or dark discoloration. They may also be wilted or soft. If you see mold growing on carrots, throw them out. The white blush that forms on carrots signals that your carrots are drying out.

How do you store carrots for carrot cake? ›

For long-term storage of fresh carrots, keep them whole and unpeeled. Wrap the carrots in a dry paper towel and place them in an airtight food storage container. Place the container in the coldest part of your refrigerator (32-40°F), typically the crisper drawer.

How do you keep carrots from oxidizing? ›

Store in an airtight container

To keep carrots their freshest and crunchiest, you only need to rethink how you store them. Keep them in an airtight container submerged in water, and you'll be a happy snacker.

What is the best way to keep carrot cake fresh? ›

To maximize the freshness of carrot cake, proper storage is essential. Always use airtight containers, plastic wrap, or resealable bags to protect the cake from air exposure. If your cake contains cream cheese frosting, refrigerate it to prevent spoilage. Freezing is an excellent long-term storage option.

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