No-Bake Energy Bites Recipe {Carrot Cake} - Healthy Snack (2024)

Published: · Modified: by Dara · This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. · 37 Comments

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These no-bake energy bites have all of the flavors of carrot cake, without the extra calories, fat or sugar. They’re ridiculously good (and also vegan)!
No-Bake Energy Bites Recipe {Carrot Cake} - Healthy Snack (1)

At the risk of sounding immodest, these no-bake energy bites are ridiculously good! They have all of the flavors of your favorite carrot cake (plus almond butter), with a fraction of the calories and sugar.

I’ve been making these no-bake energy balls for years. When my kids were little, I would offer these up as after school snacks (watch for nut allergies!) to my boys and their friends. Every single time I got the thumbs-up sign from every single kid!

The bites can be refrigerated or frozen (instructions below), which means you can always have them on hand for easy snack options. Offer them up with a Berry Banana Smoothie or Pineapple Spinach Smoothie for a , or save them for pre- or post-workout snacks.

No-Bake Energy Bites Recipe {Carrot Cake} - Healthy Snack (2)

What you need for these no-bake energy bites:

These are the main components of this recipe (affiliate links included):

  • Oats: Old-fashioned oats are available in any grocery store, typically in the cereal aisle. If gluten is a concern, be sure to read the label to determine if the oats are processed in a gluten free facility. Bob’s Red Mill Gluten Free Rolled Oats are a good option.
  • Carrots: Peel and grate carrots on the large holes of a box grater. Please do not use packaged pre-grated carrots. More on that below.
  • Pecans: Start with raw pecans and chop them into small pieces. Pre-chopped pecans are usually on the large side, so you may have to do a little more chopping.
  • Almond butter: Use well-stirred natural almond butter. Natural peanut butter can be substituted, though the flavor will be a bit different.
  • Flaxseed: Ground flaxseed (or flaxseed meal) can be purchased in most grocery stories.
  • Spices: Ground cinnamon and ground nutmeg add that wonderful carrot cake flavor.
  • Sweetener: I prefer pure maple syrup, but agave nectar or honey can be substituted. If you prefer vegan snacks, skip the honey, which is not considered to be vegan.
  • Dried fruit: If you’re not a fan of raisins, substitute with dried cherries or chopped prunes.

How to make no-bake energy bites:

  • Stir together the oats, pecans and flaxseed meal in a bowl. Next, add the almond butter, maple syrup and spices until the oats are coated.
  • I highly recommend grating the carrots yourself rather than purchasing packaged pre-shredded carrots, which tend to be very dry. You’ll need the moisture from the freshly grated carrots for the energy bites to stick together properly.
  • Stir the grated carrots and raisins into the rest of the mixture. Ready to roll!
  • Use a rounded tablespoonful of the mixture for each bite. A cookie scoop makes portioning each bite a breeze!
  • Use your hands to form the bites. Squeeze the portion together in your palm (I make a fist around it). Once the mixture is stuck together, roll into a ball and place on a cookie sheet.
  • Once all of the granola bites are rolled, cover with plastic wrap and pop them into the refrigerator for about an hour to firm up.

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No-Bake Energy Bites Recipe {Carrot Cake} - Healthy Snack (3)

Frequently asked questions:

How long do energy bites last?

When stored in airtight container like this one, these no-bake energy balls can last for 2 to 3 days at room temperature or up to 5 days in the refrigerator. I highly recommend refrigerating them because they retain their shape and texture much better.

Can they be frozen?

These carrot cake energy bites can be frozen for up to 3 months. Be sure to store them in an airtight freezer container.

Place the bites on a baking sheet, cover and freeze for 1 to 2 hours. Transfer them to the airtight container. Separate the layers with wax paper or parchment paper so the bites don’t stick together.

To defrost, remove the desired number of bites from the container and place in the fridge until defrosted. That should take a few hours.

Can peanut butter be used instead of almond butter?

Yes, though the flavor will be a bit different. I recommend using natural butter and stirring it well before using.

What if I don’t like raisins?

As I mentioned above, the raisins can be replaced with other dried fruits, such as dried cherries and chopped prunes (dried plums).

No-Bake Energy Bites Recipe {Carrot Cake} - Healthy Snack (4)

Other healthy snacks:

Pineapple Spinach Smoothie {Cookin’ Canuck}
Chocolate Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars {Cookin’ Canuck}
Vegan Raw Crunch Bars {Quiche-A-Week}
Spicy Roasted Chickpeas {A Spicy Perspective}

Printable Recipe

No-Bake Energy Bites Recipe {Carrot Cake} - Healthy Snack (5)

No-Bake Carrot Cake Granola Bites Recipe

These no-bake energy bites have all of the flavors of carrot cake, without the extra calories, fat or sugar. They’re ridiculously good (and also vegan)!

4.90 from 28 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Snacks

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Gluten Free, Vegan, Vegetarian

Servings: 22 Servings

Calories: 100.3kcal

Author: Dara Michalski | Cookin' Canuck

Ingredients

Instructions

  • In a large bowl, mix together the oats, pecans and flaxseed meal.

  • Stir in the almond butter, maple syrup, cinnamon and nutmeg until well combined.

  • Stir in the grated carrot and raisins.

  • Using 1 rounded tablespoon of the mixture for each bite, form the mixture into bite-sized balls. Use a medium-sized cookie scoop makes this process easier. Squeeze the mixture in the palm of your hand, forming a fist around it so it sticks together. Roll into a ball.

  • Place the granola bites on a baking sheet, cover and refrigerate for 1 hour. Serve.

  • Store the remaining granola bites in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Alternatively, they can be frozen for up to 3 months.

  • To freeze: Place the bites on a baking sheet, cover and freeze for 1 to 2 hours. Transfer them to an airtight freezer container. Separate the layers with wax paper or parchment paper so the bites don’t stick together.

Notes

Weight Watchers Points: 3 (Blue - Freestyle SmartPoints), 3 (Green), 3 (Purple)

Nutrition

Serving: 1Granola Bite | Calories: 100.3kcal | Carbohydrates: 10g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 5mg | Potassium: 125mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 730IU | Vitamin C: 0.4mg | Calcium: 36mg | Iron: 0.7mg

Tried this recipe?If you make this recipe, I'd love to see it on Instagram! Just use the hashtag #COOKINCANUCK and I'll be sure to find it.

This post was first published on March 27, 2013 and updated on January 7, 2021.

Disclosure: I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

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  1. Lex

    Can I substitute the flaxseed for a protein powder or does this recipe absolutely need the flaxseed?

    Reply

    • Dara

      That should work!

      Reply

  2. Christina P.

    No-Bake Energy Bites Recipe {Carrot Cake} - Healthy Snack (11)
    I used Peanut butter as that's what I had on hand. At first the oat bites seem a bit dry. Second bite and there after I enjoyed it more. And actually they were softer and less dry after freezing them! I think the peanut oil has a chance to sink into the oats and the freezing process itself probably softenes them. One kid liked these one kid dis not. I can never please the whole family lol but I enjoyed the other kids share haha thx for sharing will def make these again.

    Reply

    • Dara

      So glad that you and one kid enjoyed them!

      Reply

  3. Martha

    I never thought of making this as a bite! I used to make something like this for my son's sandwich filling when he was little (without the nuts, kids don't like nuts), and honey instead of maple syrup, and sometime peanut butter instead of almond butter. Now we can enjoy as adults! Thanks!

    Reply

  4. Malinda

    No-Bake Energy Bites Recipe {Carrot Cake} - Healthy Snack (12)
    I make these all the time. They’re delicious and guilt free. Baked them too as a flattened cookie shape, still yummy.

    Reply

  5. Edi - SunCakeMom

    It sounds too easy to be true 😀 It's gonna be a perfect afternoon snack for my boys!

    Reply

    • Austin

      No-Bake Energy Bites Recipe {Carrot Cake} - Healthy Snack (13)
      Made it with Sunflower butter and no pecans to make it completely nut free! Worked amazingly! Definitely making these again

      Reply

      • Dara

        That's great to hear! Thank you for commenting, Austin.

        Reply

  6. Marissa

    No-Bake Energy Bites Recipe {Carrot Cake} - Healthy Snack (14)
    Thank you so much for sharing this recipe. Wonderful idea to incorporate more veggies into a snack. Just made 'em tonight - turned out great. Used some pitted dates that were in the cupboard instead of raisins and made my own nut/seed butter. Wonderful.

    Reply

  7. Paula S.

    Any ideas on how to make this nut free? What would be a good substitute for almond butter? Thanks,

    Reply

  8. Elaine

    No-Bake Energy Bites Recipe {Carrot Cake} - Healthy Snack (15)
    These are amazing! I used maple syrup instead of honey and added a touch of vanilla. These will be breakfast this week. Thank you!!!

    Reply

  9. Tasha

    No-Bake Energy Bites Recipe {Carrot Cake} - Healthy Snack (16)
    I'm making these for a Christmas party tonight. Seems like a nice compromise among all the Christmas treats, but they will still look pretty with all the orange carrot bits. I substituted peanut butter, and I think it tastes delicious. The white chocolate chips sound delicious as a bother option. I too love the frosting on a genuine carrot cake!

    Reply

  10. Plum

    No-Bake Energy Bites Recipe {Carrot Cake} - Healthy Snack (17)
    I made these but I used a variety of seeds (sesame, pumpkin, sunflower) instead of the pecans, along with 1/4 cup shredded coconut, I used Mayvers peanut & cacoa (2 ingredient spread) instead of almond butter which is an Australian product and they were really delicious.

    Reply

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No-Bake Energy Bites Recipe {Carrot Cake} - Healthy Snack (2024)

FAQs

Is carrot cake good for health? ›

The ingredients in carrot cake work together to promote cardiovascular health. Carrots contain potassium, which helps maintain healthy blood pressure levels, while walnuts often included in carrot cake recipes are a good source of heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids.

Why would shredded carrots turn green in carrot cake? ›

Carrots contain pigments that are sensitive to changes in pH balance. When the shreds of carrot come into contact with the alkaline baking soda, a chemical reaction takes place that causes the pigments to change color. Ipso facto, green carrots!

Why not use butter in carrot cake? ›

Oil-Based Cakes: Carrot cake recipes often use vegetable oil (e.g., canola or sunflower oil) instead of butter as the primary fat. Oil-based cakes tend to be moister and have a softer, more tender crumb. The mild flavor of vegetable oil also allows the carrot and spice flavors to shine through.

What's the green stuff in carrot cake? ›

Our answer. The green flecks are carrot but the colour has been changed by the bicarbonate of soda (baking soda) in the mixture. Some pigments are sensitive to pH balances and will change colour if they are in a very acid or very alkaline environment.

What is the healthiest cake to eat? ›

What Type of Cake is Healthy?
  1. Angel Food Cake. Angel food cake is healthy because It does not contain egg yolk and butter. ...
  2. 2 . Flourless Chocolate Cake. ...
  3. 3 . Protein Mug Cake. ...
  4. 4 . Homemade Strawberry Shortcake. ...
  5. 5 . Sugar-Free Carrot and Date Cake. ...
  6. 6 . Pineapple Upside-Down Cake. ...
  7. 7 . Cheesecake. ...
  8. 8 . Red Velvet Cake.

Why is carrot cake healthier than normal cake? ›

Carrot cake tends to have less sugar and salt, as well as seven times the beta-carotene. Whichever you choose, homemade with minimal sugar will be your best option – served in small portions.

What are the black specks in carrot cake? ›

Well, you have yourself a really yummy carrot cake, and in my mind, that qualifies as a culinary masterpiece. Now, before we go much further, someone is bound to make a snarky comment about the “black spots” in the cake. THOSE ARE WALNUTS.

Why does my carrot cake not taste like carrot? ›

The key to getting an intense carrot flavor in my cake is using two types of carrots: a caramelized carrot puree and finely shredded carrots. Roasted and pureed carrots make this cake intensely carrot flavored. Carrots are a natural source of sugar, and roasting them at a high temperature caramelizes the sugars within.

Do you need to wash shredded carrots? ›

quality, washing of shredded carrots should be strictly avoided.

What can I use instead of oil in carrot cake? ›

Yes, you can substitute applesauce for oil in cakes to reduce the overall fat content and add moisture. The ratio of applesauce to oil depends on the recipe and personal preference, but a common guideline is to use an equal amount of applesauce as the amount of oil called for in the recipe.

Why does my carrot cake fall apart when I cut it? ›

Yes, the carrots, but also typical extras like raisins, chopped nuts, or shredded coconut, which enhance the flavor and texture of the final result, add to the problem of cleanly lopping off a piece. For example, raisins create uneven pockets of moisture within the cake, causing slices to crumble more easily.

What is a substitute for butter in carrots? ›

There are plenty of ways to vary glazed carrots. If you want them to be low in saturated fat, substitute vegetable oil for the butter and add only a small amount. Instead of white sugar, use brown sugar or honey.

Why does my carrot cake taste like baking soda? ›

There are a few reasons why your carrot cake might taste bitter. Too much baking soda: Baking soda is a leavening agent that helps to make cakes rise. However, too much baking soda can give a cake a bitter taste. If you are using a recipe that calls for baking soda, be sure to measure it carefully.

How do you keep carrots from turning green in carrot cake? ›

Some say if it is not the amount of baking soda, it can be that the baking soda was not thoroughly mixed into the dry ingredients. That is why it is always best to sift the dry ingredients together. Good distribution of everything. I think if this happens often, the next idea might be to blanch you carrots first.

Why is my carrot cake gummy? ›

Tossing the carrots in sugar did the trick, removing enough liquid from the carrots to eliminate the gummy texture of the cake.

Why is carrot cake good? ›

Most of its flavor comes from brown sugar, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and carrots. Ginger adds the most delicious zing, but it isn't overpowering at all. The cake is dense, but each forkful tastes super soft and extra lush.

Is carrot cake a good source of vitamin A? ›

While carrots are high in beta-carotene which provides us with plenty of vitamin A, the culprit in most carrot cakes is scrumptious cream cheese frosting. No need to worry though because these carrot cake bars are sure to be lower in calories and fat content than previous carrot cakes you've indulged in.

Can you eat cake and be healthy? ›

Dessert can absolutely fit into a balanced diet. Zooming out and being mindful of your overall eating pattern is more important than hyperfocusing on one food. Allowing yourself to eat the dessert without guilt can help improve your relationship with food and keep you feeling satisfied.

Does carrot cake raise blood sugar? ›

It showed that patients who increased their daily sugar intake (in the form of carrot cake) but maintained a stable body weight, showed no adverse changes in their blood glucose. The study was conducted by the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics at London's Hammersmith Hospital.

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