These carrot cake energy balls combine the flavors you love in carrot cake into a healthy portable bite-sized treat. These are easy to make and perfect for a quick snack or dessert!
Mmm Mmm Carrot Cake!
I love carrot cake. I mean that cream cheese frosting is everything! Anything from actual carrot cake, to carrot cake cookies, or carrot cake cupcakes!
I also love a good energy ball. They’re portable, easy to make, delicious, and packed with nutrients. So, I decided to make carrot cake energy balls because who doesn’t want all the comforting flavors of carrot cake wrapped up into a healthy snack?!
All the Flavors of Carrot Cake
The base of these bites includes oats, medjool dates, nuts, and fresh grated carrots. The dates add a natural sweetness, which is important because there’s no other added sugar in this recipe. Then I add cinnamon, vanilla extract, and orange juice and zest to really crank up the flavor. The result is truly special, and I’m proud to say these energy bites have been a huge hit with everyone who’s tasted them.
Once you finish up with this recipe be sure to check out some of my other favorite energy ball recipes from the blog:
Save this recipe now, make it later!
Ingredients to make these carrot cake energy balls
While these carrot cake energy balls may taste indulgent, I assure you they’re incredibly healthy. They’re made with wholesome ingredients that will keep you fueled and energized all day. Here’s what you’ll need to make them:
- Oats– I used rolled oats, also known as old fashioned oats. I don’t recommend steel cut oats for this recipe. Oats add bulk and fiber to keep you feeling full.
- Nuts– I used a combination of pecans and walnuts. Feel free to substitute other nuts or seeds. Nuts add healthy fat and plant-based protein.
- Dried fruit– medjool dates and apricots add natural sweetness and additional nutrients. Be sure to pit the medjool dates if you don’t buy pitted ones.
- Carrots– this is the star of the energy ball. Sneak in vegetables into a treat and you won’t even know. Carrots provide beta-carotene which is converted to vitamin A in the body. This vitamin supports healthy vision and immune health.
- Flax– ground flaxseed is a great source of omega-3 healthy fats.
- Spices/additional flavoring– cinnamon and vanilla add depth and complexity to the flavor. Zest and juice of an orange add bright citrus undertones.
- Coconut– unsweetened shredded coconut for rolling and making it look pretty
Easy to make
What I love most about these energy balls is that they’re so easy to make! They are super quick to throw together and require no baking! All the ingredients are added to a food processor, pulsed until well combined, and finally rolled into balls. If you like, you can roll them into some shredded coconut- they’re delicious with or without the extra coating.
Storage
Store your carrot cake energy balls in an airtight container to have in the fridge for a convenient snack all week! Alternatively, store in the freezer for up to three months. Be sure to thaw for at least 15 minutes prior to eating.
Tips for success
- Use medjool dates to make these energy balls as opposed to Deglet Noor dates. Medjool dates are softer, larger, and sweeter. They have an almost caramel-like taste. Regular dates are smaller and have a drier, more firm texture.
- A food processor works best, but you can use a high-speed blender. Just be sure to stop and scrape down the sides every so often to help it incorporate well.
- The orange juice helps bind and blend the dough. I found 3 tablespoons of fresh orange juice resulted in the perfect consistency. Start with less and you can always add more. You want the ingredients to form a sticky dough that will hold its shape when rolled into balls.
- I think these carrot cake energy balls look pretty when rolled in shredded coconut, but that’s totally optional.
Enjoy easy, healthier snacks? Try these too:
These carrot cake energy balls are the perfect portable snack, pre or post-workout fuel, or healthy dessert. I hope you give these energy balls a try, I’m sure your whole family will love them!
Carrot Cake Energy Balls
Ingredients
- 1 cup carrots cut into ½ inch pieces
- 1 cup old fashioned or rolled oats
- ½ cup unsalted pecans
- ¼ cup unsalted walnuts (or substitue cashews, almonds, sunflower seeds, or more pecans)
- 12 Medjool dates pitted *
- 6 dried apricots
- 2 Tablespoons flax seed meal or chia seeds
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1-2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon orange zest
- 1-3 Tablespoons orange juice freshly squeezed
- ⅓ cup shredded unsweetened coconut for rolling (optional)
Instructions
- Add the chopped carrots to a food processor and pulse until it’s a fine grated texture. Remove the carrots from the food processor and transfer to a small bowl. Lightly wipe out the interior of the food processor with a paper towel.
- Add the oats, pecans, and walnuts to the food processor. Pulse until finely ground. Next add the medjool dates (pitted!), apricots, flax seed meal, vanilla, cinnamon, orange zest, and 1 Tablespoon orange juice to the food processor. Process until mixture is well combined. If dough doesn’t seem to start sticking together, add additional 1-2 Tablespoons orange juice to help bind it. Be careful not to over blend, you’re looking for a pliable dough, not a pureed mixture.
- Finally, add the carrots back to the food processor and pulse a few times to incorporate.
- Roll the dough into balls about the size of a golf ball or smaller. If you’re using the coconut, pour it onto a plate and roll each ball in coconut. Store energy balls in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 1 week or freezer for up to 3 months.
Nutrition Facts
*Medjool dates tend to be very soft. However if you can only find Delget Noor dates, these usually have a drier texture and need to be softened before using in this recipe. Boil a pot of water, then pour over dates and soak for 10 minutes until softened. Then drain well and pat dry before using in recipe. If medjool dates are very hard follow the same soaking instructions. Deglet noor dates are much smaller than medjool dates so you will have to add at least 3-4 more. You want at least a compact, heaping 1 cup measured. You can always add more if you find the dough is not sticking together well. Start with 1 tablespoon orange juice and you can always add more to help combine mixture. I used 3 tablespoons and thought it was the perfect texture and taste. You don’t want to over process the dough. Some texture is good! Pulse until just starting to stick together and form a dough. The texture shouldn’t be dry, it should be slightly sticky to be able to form into balls. Don't like pecans? Substitute any other nut or seed (almonds, cashews, walnuts, sunflower seeds)
What’s your favorite portable snack? Share in the comments below. I love to try out your recommendations, and maybe other readers will love your ideas, too! Also, be sure to stay in touch and follow me on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest
Save this recipe now, make it later!
If you are not already following my blog, please subscribe to Rachel B the RD to have every new post delivered straight to your e-mail box! Sign up below!
