Healthy No-Bake Carrot Cake Energy Balls are made with grated carrots, rolled oats, creamy nut butter, raisins, walnuts, and shredded coconut. An optional scoop of protein powder gives them an extra protein boost, making them the perfect grab-and-go breakfast or pre-post-workout snack.
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Looking for a healthy treat that tastes like a cross between a slice of my gluten-free carrot cake and raw cookie dough bites? I’ve got the perfect recipe: no-bake Carrot Cake Energy Balls!
These protein-packed carrot cake energy bites are perfect for breakfast on the run or as a late-afternoon snack with a cup of coffee or tea! Looking to change up the flavor? Try my No-Bake Matcha Protein Bites or my No-Bake Oatmeal Raisin Energy Bites!
Ingredients Needed:
These carrot cake energy balls are made with simple, nourishing ingredients and taste like carrot cake with plenty of crunchy yet doughy texture. Here are the ingredients you’ll need to make these energy bites:
- Rolled oats – The base of these energy bites is rolled oats. Feel free to use gluten-free.
- Almond butter—These energy balls use creamy, natural roasted almond butter made from just almonds or almonds and salt. You can substitute peanut butter as desired.
- Protein powder – Add a scoop of your favorite vanilla protein powder for an extra protein boost. Tera’s Whey Protein is my favorite brand! To keep these dairy-free and vegan, either omit the protein powder or use a plant-based protein powder.
- Extras—To achieve that classic carrot cake flavor, we’re adding shredded carrots, raisins, walnuts, and shredded coconut.
- Honey—For a little natural sweetness, you’ll need just one tablespoon of honey. You can swap with pure maple syrup to make these vegan if preferred.
- Spices – Cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger are mixed in for a warm, cozy flavor.
How to Make No-Bake Energy Balls
These energy balls are easy to make and also happen to be gluten-free and easily dairy-free! All you need is a few ingredients, a food processor and a cookie scoop (or you can use your hands).
Here’s the simple process, but for full, printable instructions, reference the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
- Combine all ingredients in a food processor and blend until all of the ingredients are fully combined.
- Scoop about 1 tablespoon per ball, squeeze it in your palm to make it stick, and roll it into a ball. Place it on a plate or baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Chill in the fridge for about 1 hour and then enjoy!
Variation Options
Feel free to get creative and use ingredients you have available and truly make these energy bites your own!
- Nut butter – instead of almond butter, feel free to use peanut butter or sunflower seed butter. You can also use a natural, crunchy nut or seed butter instead of creamy, if preferred.
- Vegan energy balls – to make these vegan, simply be sure to use pure maple syrup and not honey and also use a plant-based protein powder or omit the protein powder and use an additional 1/4 cup of oats.
- Gluten-free energy balls – if the oats you’re using are certified gluten free, these energy bites are naturally gluten free.
- Add-ins – feel free to sub the raisins for dried cranberries or blueberries and the walnuts for pecans. Also, if you’re not a fan of coconut, you can omit the shredded coconut.
Everything We Love About Carrot Cake Energy Bites
There’s so much to love about these tasty little bites! They are the perfect healthy snack or breakfast to meal prep! Here are some of the reasons they’re so great:
- No bake recipe – There’s no baking needed to make this easy recipe!
- Kid-friendly – These taste like a sweet dessert and even picky eaters love these snack bites. My kids also love these Oatmeal Energy Balls.
- Portable – If you have these meal prepped in your fridge, you’ve got a ready-to-go snack to grab anytime.
- Nutritious – These energy balls are filled with healthy, wholesome, all-natural ingredients with no refined sugar!
- Customizable – This recipe is easy to change up and experiment with different mix-ins. For a different spin on these, we love Pumpkin Chip Energy Bites and Peanut Butter & Jelly Energy Bites.
How to Store Carrot Cake Energy Balls
In the fridge: No-bake energy balls are great stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 weeks.
In the freezer: You can also store these energy balls in the freezer for up to 3 months. If they get too hard, let them sit at room temperature for 5-10 minutes before eating.
Try adding this energy balls recipe to your weekend meal prep! You’ll have a nutritious snack ready to go for a busy week. This recipe is also super easy to double (or triple) and freezes well, so keep that in mind when preparing your meal. Enjoy!
Thanks so much for reading! You can watch the video below, and if you make this recipe, I would love for you to give it a ★ rating below. Follow me on YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook for more healthy food inspiration.
Healthy No-Bake Carrot Cake Energy Balls
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Ingredients
- 1/4 cup creamy roasted almond butter
- 1/2 cup rolled oats
- 1 scoop (30g) vanilla whey protein powder*
- 1/4 cup shredded carrots
- 2 tablespoon raisins
- 2 tablespoon walnuts
- 2 tablespoon shredded coconut
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
- a pinch each nutmeg + ground ginger
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a food processor and blend until everything is mixed together. The consistency will be similar to sand.
- Grab about 1 tablespoon of the mixture and squeeze in your palm to get it to stick. Then, form into a ball. Repeat until you have 10 balls.
- Place all balls on a rimmed baking sheet lined with parchment paper and chill in the fridge for one hour. Transfer to an airtight container and leave in fridge until ready to enjoy!
Comments
Mary Lee Lux says
Hi Dani, Oscar is my food processor, so it is very small. Could this be done in a blender or would it be difficult to get it out of the blades-it is a blender like a vitamix but is Aldi’s brand.
Dani says
It is tricky in the blender because it does get stuck in the blades BUT it could be done with a bit of patience.
Sandra says
Dani,
We made these with my husband and we thought the balls were tinny BUT we were so gladly surprised to see how yummy, filling and perfect snack they are!!! Will post some pictures in Instagram and tag you, so you can see our creation! (P.S. They don’t look as nice as yours 😉 )
Thanks again for your great recipes!
Sandra 🙂
Dani says
Yay!! So glad they were a hit. And just so you know, you can certainly make them bigger if you prefer;)
Sweetsavoryme says
Just curious…would it work if I subbed hemp hearts for rolled oats? These look really fun to make!
Jamie Rundle says
I just wanted to let you know what a blessing you have been in my life. I watch your videos and make your recipes all the time. I am learning to cut out the processed foods and live a healthy nutritious lifestyle. Thank you!!!! X x x jamie
Dani says
Thanks so much Jamie! I just love to hear that… I’m so glad the recipes and video have been helpful for you. Thanks for taking the time to let me know.
Ida says
Yes I agree with the previous person who commented. You are a blessing to,know about you and the recipes. I like variety in my food and as a healthy eater, you are giving me healthy options and ideas. Thank you so much. Ida.
Dani says
Awe, thanks you so much Ida.
Lucy says
Can you add chia seeds into them? Thanks love the recipes!
Dani says
Sure! that would work.
Lorin says
Hi Dani, Love your recipes!
If I leave out coconut would I need to substitute it with anything else?
Also, can I use peanut butter?
Dani says
Hi, Lorin! If you skip the coconut it would be totally fine. And yes, you can use peanut butter!
Marylou Campbell says
Could you replace almond flour for the protein whey.
Dani, you’re amazing I love to watch your videos and thank you for the variety you provide.
Dani says
Hi Marylou, thank you! I’m really not sure but if you give it a try I’d be happy to hear how it goes!
Monika says
I put fresh ginger in these because I didn’t have powdered. Wow! I also did not have coconut so I threw some ground flax seed in there to get it the right consistency (also some more oats). They were a big sticky ball. I think that next time, I should mix all the dry stuff together first, to make sure it is all mixed, then add the wet and/or gooey stuff. Amazing snack! Thank you!
Gina B. says
I just made these for the first time and am delighted with how they turned out! We followed the recipe exactly. They were just the right amount of sweet and flavorful without being overwhelming. These are the perfect little sweet (and healthy) treat. Thank you!
Rachael T. says
The taste of these is great! I swapped out the almond butter with peanut butter and the whey protein powder with plant based since it was what I had. I feel like natural peanut butte may work better than something like Jif, since the natural stuff has more of an almond butter texture. I didn’t measure the carrots or nuts super well, so my mix came out dry/grainy. I wish I watched the video where Dani says what to do if that happens 🙂 I kind of wish that was in the directions, but that’s OK.
Mady says
These were my first energy bites and they did not disappoint! Loved the flavor and texture. Can’t wait to make more.
Mady says
Absolutely loved this recipe! First time making these energy bites and I’m addicted! Used a blender (Dani said it could be done with patience and she was right!) Subbed peanut butter for almond and used gold raisins just cuz I like them better. Only used 1 scoop of chocolate protein powder cuz I didn’t have vanilla and they turned out divine! Love them as dessert after lunch and dinner. Can’t wait to try other ones. Grateful to you Dani!
marjanne says
These are so easy to make and so addicting. Thanks for a healthy treat.
Dani Spies says
It’s my pleasure! Glad you enjoyed them.
Rebecca says
Thank you Dani. I made these last night so I’d have something healthy to go with my morning coffee. I put a small piece of minced candied ginger in and loved it. What a fun recipe. I’m allergic to almonds but made some hazelnut butter and it worked just fine. Thanks
Dani Spies says
I absolutely love your idea to add minced candied ginger… brilliant! I plan to try that myself. Thanks for sharing and I’m so glad you enjoyed them.
Goldie says
Just soooo goooood!