Our easy vegan no-bake carrot cake energy bites are made with minimal whole food ingredients, have the flavor and texture of carrot cake, and are the perfect on the go snack. Enjoy them for breakfast with our Maple Pecan Latte, a Starbuck’s copycat recipe.
This recipe was published on March 31, 2015 and updated March 16, 2021.
Whether you call them truffles, balls, or bites, this delicious and healthy snack is the perfect treat for breakfast, pre or post workout, or when you’re looking for a healthier dessert.
They’re vegan (duh), gluten-free, oil-free, refined sugar-free, and packed with protein and nutrients that will give you energy.
Serve them with one of our healthy smoothies for a complete breakfast.
- Vegan Pumpkin Pie Smoothie
- Healthy Vegan Gingerbread Cookie Smoothie
- Dairy-Free Cherry Pie Smoothie
- Orange Sweet Potato Smoothie
Ingredients and substitutions
FRESH CARROTS – We attached the grater attachment to our food processor to grate the carrots. You can also use a box grater.
If you don’t eat carrots, raw sweet potatoes make a great substitution.
ROLLED OATS – To make these gluten-free, we suggest using Bob’s Red Mill certified gluten-free oats.
You can also use quinoa flakes as a substitution.
RAW ALMONDS – You’ll want to be sure that the almonds are not salted if you use roasted almonds.
You can use pecans, cashews, hazelnuts, or walnuts, too. If you’re allergic to nuts, use unsalted sunflower seeds.
SHELLED HEMP SEEDS – Hemp seeds add protein, amino acids, and texture to these cute little bites.
Substitute with chia seeds or ground flax seed.
FINELY SHREDDED COCONUT – We like a little coconut in our carrot cake, if you’re not a fan, feel free to leave it out.
MEDJOOL DATES – Dates are a natural sweetener, and they help to bind the energy bites.
We’re not big on super sweet foods, but if you like a sweeter bite, then add a few extra dates.
Substitute with regular dates or raisins if dates aren’t your thing.
WARMING SPICES – Warm spices, such as cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger are key to a good carrot cake. If you don’t have these, a pumpkin pie spice blend will work, too.
FLAX SEED – This is used as a binder and for added protein and omegas.
How to make them
STEP ONE
Use the grater attachment on your food processor and shred the carrots.
If you don’t have a food processor, a box grater will work to shred the carrots and a high-powered blender to grind the ingredients into the batter.
STEP TWO
Remove the grater attachment from your food processor and put the blade back in.
Grind the carrots, oats, coconut flakes, and the remaining ingredients until it begins to turn into a solid ball and the dough sticks together.
STEP THREE
Spoon out dough and roll it into a ball. You can make them as large or as small as you like.
We suggest making them bite size.
STEP FOUR
Roll the balls in the shredded coconut to cover.
How to store them
Store them covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Use parchment paper between the bites to layer them.
Freeze them in an air-tight container for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator.
More vegan energy bites you’ll love
NO BAKE CHOCOLATE BREAKFAST BALLS
RAW APPLE CINNAMON ENERGY BITES
NO BAKE PEANUT BUTTER CUP ENERGY BITES
HEALTHY CHOCOLATE ENERGY BALLS
Make our easy vegan no-bake carrot cake energy bites recipe and let us know what you think. We love to hear from you! And, don’t forget to take a picture of your gorgeous creation and tag us @veganosity on Instagram.
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Easy Vegan No Bake Carrot Cake Energy Bites
Equipment
- food processor
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups grated carrots – approximately 3 medium carrots
- ½ cup rolled oats for gliuten-free see note
- ¾ cup finely shredded coconut. divided
- ⅓ cup raw almonds
- 2 tablespoon shelled hemp seeds
- 2 tablespoon ground flax seed
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
- ¼ teaspoon of finely ground sea salt
- 4 medjool dates pits removed, feel free to add more if you like a sweeter bite.
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Put ¼ cup of the coconut in a shallow bowl and set aside.
- Use the grater attachment and shred the carrots in the food processor. If you don’t have a food processor, use a box grater and a high-powered blender to make the dough for the bites.
- Add the ½ cup rolled oats, ½ cup shredded coconut, ⅓ cup raw almonds, 2 tablespoon shelled hemp hearts, 2 tablespoon ground flax seed, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, ½ teaspoon nutmeg, ¼ teaspoon ginger, ¼ teaspoon salt, and 4 pitted dates to the food processor and process until it becomes a sticky mostly solid dough. Scoop out a tablespoon (you can make these as small or as big as you like) of the batter and roll into a ball. Roll in the reserved coconut.
- Keep refrigerated in an air-tight container for up to 4 days or freeze in a freezer safe container for up to 3 months.
Karen Lim says
Delicious and healthy to provide quick energy without sugar!
I love carrot cake without calories.
Linda & Alex says
Thank you, Karen!
Belotta says
I cannot wait to try this recipe. I'm confused about the last 1/8 tsp of salt in the ingredients list though. Is that to mix in with the coconut to roll the balls in? Or are we supposed to add the 1/4 tsp sea salt, then another 1/8 tsp to the food processor mix? Thank you for clarifying.
Linda & Alex says
Hi Belotta, Just add 1/8 of a teaspoon to the food processor before processing. I'll fix the recipe card, now. Enjoy!
Ellen Clark says
Your recipes are amazingly tasty and for the most pay easy to prepare. Thank you.
Linda Meyer says
Thank you so much, Ellen! You just made our week. 🙂