These carrot cake energy bites are incredibly quick and easy to make with the flavors of carrot cake in a healthy, bite-sized treat. Such a great snack!
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Growing up in the UK, the only real Easter food I remember was eggs, particularly chocolate ones. When I moved to the US, some Easter foods puzzled me.
For example, what exactly makes carrot cake something you would have for Easter? Is it the link of carrots to rabbits that then links to the Easter bunny or am I reading too much into it?
However it did inspire this way to get a carrot cake fix without baking. In fact, hardly any effort at all and it gets better: these no-bake carrot cake energy bites are delicious and have lots of healthy ingredients in them. Plus there's no refined sugar, they're gluten free and easily made vegan.
All you need are a few ingredients, a few minutes and a food processor.
Originally when I was thinking about doing a twist on carrot cake my mind was going off on all sorts of tangents - one ending up in carrot cake scones. I also love the idea of these carrot cake cookie sandwiches.
However the more I thought about it, the more it came to me - why not make them super easy?
These energy bites are made with carrot, walnuts, oats and dates, along with a little cinnamon and ginger so you get a pretty good match to carrot cake flavors. The dates hold them together, with a little help from some coconut oil.
How to make carrot cake energy bites
All you do is:
- Grate the carrots.
- Melt the coconut oil.
- Put everything in the food processor to break them up and bring them together.
- Scoop out little balls and roll them into bite-sized pieces of tastiness.
You could easily leave them just like this, but I thought a little carrot-cake-like topping might be nice too. So, I made a very simple mix of cream cheese, maple syrup and Greek yogurt to be close to your traditional frosting but a bit healthier.
Both the maple syrup and yogurt help thin and sweeten the mixture without being overly runny or sweet. Dab a little on top, or pipe it to make them both cute and a little fancier looking.
I took these along with us when we were meeting friends in the park and they went down really well with everyone - toddlers and adults alike were asking for more.
The adults were happy they were pretty healthy and tasty while the kids felt they were getting a cookie (no need to spoil the illusion!).
These carrot cake energy bites are both healthy and so quick to make. The flavors feel like they're so much more indulgent than they are. I will definitely be making more of these soon.
Do give them a try - they're verging on addictive but given everything in there, it really doesn't matter. I'd say it's an addiction to embrace!
Enjoy easy, healthier snacks? Try these too:
- Oatmeal date cookies (naturally sweetened and so tasty)
- Pumpkin energy bites
- Healthy apple oatmeal cookies
- And I love the sound of these lemon turmeric energy bites from Abra's Kitchen.
Plus see the full list of snack recipes for both sweet and savory small bites. And if you like carrot cake flavors, try my carrot cake oatmeal and carrot cake scones (also both relatively healthy).
Carrot cake energy bites
Ingredients
- ¼ cup quick oats 25g one minute oats
- ¼ cup walnut pieces 28g
- 2 oz carrot 60g, 1 medium
- 2 oz medjool dates 60g, pitted
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil
To top (optional)
- 1 ½ tablespoon cream cheese or vegan cream cheese for vegan version
- 1 teaspoon maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon Greek yogurt or omit for vegan version
Instructions
- Place the oats and walnuts in the food processor and pulse a few times until you get a coarse breadcrumb-like texture.
- Finely grate the carrot, break the dates into pieces and add both to the food processor along with the cinnamon and ginger. Pulse a few times to combine.
- Melt the coconut oil and allow it to cool slightly then add to the food processor, pulse to combine. Take small scoops of the mixture (I used my ½tbsp measure) and roll it in to balls, flattened slightly.
- For the topping, blend together the cream cheese, maple syrup and yogurt until well combined and smooth. Dab or pipe a little of the mixture on top of each of the energy bites. Store in the refrigerator - they should keep a few days (although I have only been able to test a day, they go too quick!).
Video
Nutrition
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This post was originally published in March 2016, and has been updated primarily with new photos and video.
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Baguio Restaurants by Mae says
These energy bites looks delicious. This recipe is perfect for those kids who are afraid of vegetables. But one question though, is potato or sweet potato can be a substitute to carrots? Thank you 🙂
Caroline's Cooking says
Thanks, you couldn't use potatoes as they're actually dangerous to eat raw, but sweet potatoes would work, though I'd say carrots are a better flavor.
Irena says
These energy bites look so scrumptious! I like that they're made with fresh carrots and the cream cheese tuff on top is so cute.
Caroline's Cooking says
Thanks, the ingredients all work so well together!
Jersey Girl Cooks says
These look great! Love that they are healthier too!
Caroline's Cooking says
Thanks, everyone who has tried them seems to love them, and they are so easy!
Shellie says
We've got nut allergies at my house...think we could double the oats to replace the walnuts?
Caroline's Cooking says
I know nut allergies can be tough. The walnuts definitely help add a certain carrot-cake flavor to them but yes replacing with more oats should still work. Doubling should be about right, but you may need a little less since walnuts add a certain oiliness that the oats won't. You could maybe try adding a teaspoon or two of flaxseed meal, if that's OK allergy-wise, to get a bit closer to the original flavor and texture (plus they're really good for you too!)
Quinn Caudill says
Know this is my kind of healthy. Thanks for sharing with us at Throwback Thursday. Can't wait to see what you bring to the party this week. Pinned!
Caroline's Cooking says
Thanks Quinn!
Michaela - An Affair from the Heart says
I love carrot cake! These little bites are perfect for healthy on the go snacking!
Caroline's Cooking says
Thanks Michaela, they definitely are!
Julie at Hostess At Heart says
I don't understand the carrot cake thing either. I know about the egg thing and there are some traditions with food too, but it's changing as far as people gifting their kids with presents? I love these carrot cake energy bites! They look delicious and I love a snack that you don't have to feel guilty about eating.
Caroline's Cooking says
Yes I don't get nor really like the present trend. But these little bites I definitely like and as you say no guilt but still tasty!
Michelle @ Giraffes Can Bake says
Come to think of it, I've always associated carrot cake with Easter but I have no idea why! Must be the bunny/carrots thing, especially since carrot cake is usually spiced with flavours I associated with autumn!
Easter-y or not, these energy bites look delicious!
Caroline's Cooking says
I think it may be that too but who knows! These little bites are definitely good enough to make any time of year, though!
Kristen @ A Mind Full Mom says
I love these! And that topping can NOT be optional. YUM
Caroline's Cooking says
Thanks Kristen, I agree the topping is great, but optional for any who might think otherwise 🙂
Jhuls | The Not So Creative Cook says
There's so much to love here - energy bites, carrots, cream cheese and no-bake! Such an amazing recipe, Caroline. These look fantastic! Yum! 🙂
Caroline's Cooking says
Thanks Jhuls, as I say they were an instant hit here!
Denise Wright says
These look great. I love, love, love carrot cake and these would be so easy to make. Great idea!
Caroline's Cooking says
Thanks Denise, they really are so easy but tasty too - I made some more as I was getting breakfast ready this morning (and they're almost gone already too!).
Hilda says
I've never thought of carrot cake for Easter, but as I do have a big stock of carrots I was thinking of making something carrot based, sweet and healthful. This certainly fits the bill! I just knew FF would provide me with some new and fun things to make this weekend.
Caroline's Cooking says
I think carrot cake for Easter is predominantly a Southern US thing but I still need to look into it more! These, however, are so quick but really tasty - I hope you like them as much as we did and glad they came at just the right time for you!
Ashley says
Oh. My. Word! These are just what I have been looking for! I see tasty looking energy bar recipes all the time that include refined sugar, but few without it. These look much healthier, portable and I think my husband and son would go crazy for anything carrot cake.
Caroline's Cooking says
I hope you like them - they have been a hit with everyone who has tried them so far and yes, so much healthier than many recipes.
Kaila (GF Life 24/7) says
I always associate carrot cakes with Easter, and I definitely think it's the bunny/carrot thing. They've been around together my whole life, so I never thought much of it. I love your little energy bites- they sound tasty! Happy FF, and have a fabulous weekend.
Caroline's Cooking says
It's funny how we don't think too much about what we grew up with, I know I'm the sam way. Glad you like the look of these, they really are so tasty.