Carrot Cake Energy Balls Recipe (2024)

home Vegan Recipes

5 from 4 votes

15 minutes minutes

by Marly

8

Jump to Recipe

Print Recipe

This post may contain affiliate links. Disclosure Policy

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)

Subscribe and get a free Easy Vegan Recipes eBook

Plus our latest vegan recipes, delivered right to your inbox!

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

Print Pin Rate Save

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

Why is carrot cake so calorie dense? ›

Carrot cake usually contains more saturated fat than fruit cake thanks to the frosting, which is typically made from cream cheese. The higher fat content also means it's higher in calories. Carrot cake is lower in fibre, so may not be as filling.

How many energy balls should you eat? ›

Protein or energy balls are a great snack to enjoy between meals, as they contain ample amounts of protein, healthy fats, and fiber. One or two balls will keep you satisfied and energised between your main meals.

Why are energy balls good for you? ›

The Benefits and Best Time to Eat an Energy Ball

They can also act as a replenishing snack after the gym, this is mainly due to the protein that helps repair your muscles after a vigorous workout. Snacking between meals is a big contributor to weight gain, especially when we grab something that's quick and unhealthy.

What is the most unhealthiest cake in the world? ›

Unhealthiest: Pineapple Upside-Down Cake

One small slice of pineapple upside-down cake can have over 350 calories.

What is the most unhealthiest cake? ›

Dessert nightmares: 4 of the unhealthiest sweet treats to eat
  • Cheesecake.
  • Carrot cake.
  • Banana split.
  • Molten lava cakes.
Feb 17, 2016

Why not use butter in carrot cake? ›

Carrot cake is oil-based, rather than butter-based. This keeps it moist and helps it last for days. Unfortunately, it also means you lose the leavening power that creaming butter and sugar would bring. (Creaming, or beating together the two ingredients on high speed, aerates the butter.)

Why is my carrot cake not fluffy? ›

The key to a soft and fluffy carrot cake is to have the carrots bake into the crumb. If you coarsely grate the carrots, then they will not bake as quickly and will stay as threads through the cake which can get stuck in your teeth. For maximum flavor and the best texture, you'll need to grate them finely.

Why is carrot cake so good? ›

Carrots add sweetness and moisture to a batter. Carrot cakes have been around for centuries, but the modern carrot cake can be traced back to World War II when carrots were suggested as a way to add sweetness to cakes when sugar was being rationed, according to the World Carrot Museum of Skipton, England.

Why are my energy balls not sticking together? ›

If you find your mixture is too dry and won't stick together– add a few teaspoons of water. If the mixture is too wet, you could add more of the shredded coconut. I dip my ice cream scoop in water and then into the mixture– which will give a good size ball.

Are energy balls good for a diet? ›

No bake energy balls are a perfect healthy snack, treat, and breakfast on the go. They are balanced with healthy fats, fiber, and protein.

How much sugar is in energy balls? ›

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 17
Dietary Fiber 2g8%
Total Sugars 10g
Added Sugars 9g18%
14 more rows

Is peanut butter good for you? ›

Peanut butter packs many health-promoting nutrients that benefit heart health, blood sugar, and weight management. The nut butter might help you get a good night's rest and help you feel full longer. Peanut butter can be a good companion to apples, bananas, chocolate, or simply eaten by the spoonful.

Can I eat protein balls every day? ›

It's best not to go overboard eating too many in one sitting! Protein balls make a stellar high protein snack, but they shouldn't replace full meals. As a guideline, two Peanut Butter Cacao Protein Balls make a serving and can be eaten once or twice per day to give you an energy boost without going over the top.

What are energy balls made of? ›

These energy balls are super easy to make with oats, honey, peanut butter, chocolate chips, and seeds. That's it! This no-bake recipe makes enough energy balls to snack on for the whole week.

Why is cake so high in calories? ›

Thanks to ingredients such as fats, sugar and flour, cakes and pies are often high in calories and provide little nutritional value for the body. Salty pies can also be high in salt and sodium. Portion control is key, especially when it comes to various toppings and add-ons.

How many calories are in an average piece of carrot cake? ›

Common serving sizes
Serving SizeCalories
1 piece (1/10 1-layer, 20 cm or 23 cm dia)326
100 g408
1 piece (1/12 2-layer, 20 cm or 23 cm dia)543
1 serving (133 g)543
1 more row
Aug 21, 2007

Is carrot cake good for your diet? ›

Carrot cake sure sounds healthy enough. Not so much! While this popular holiday potluck dish does contain and is named for that nutrient-packed orange root, the rest of the ingredient list adds up to some 600 calories per slice and more carbs than a loaf of white bread!

Are carrots calorically dense? ›

A medium carrot has only about 25 calories. Fiber. High-fiber foods not only provide volume but also take longer to digest, making you feel full longer on fewer calories.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Moshe Kshlerin

Last Updated:

Views: 5683

Rating: 4.7 / 5 (77 voted)

Reviews: 84% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Moshe Kshlerin

Birthday: 1994-01-25

Address: Suite 609 315 Lupita Unions, Ronnieburgh, MI 62697

Phone: +2424755286529

Job: District Education Designer

Hobby: Yoga, Gunsmithing, Singing, 3D printing, Nordic skating, Soapmaking, Juggling

Introduction: My name is Moshe Kshlerin, I am a gleaming, attractive, outstanding, pleasant, delightful, outstanding, famous person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.