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Carrot Cake Energy Balls

Name: Carrot Cake Energy Balls
Prep time: 10 min
Total time: 10 min
Ingredients: ½ cup oat flour or unflavored protein powder (, you will need 1-2 tablespoons more if using the all maple syrup option); ½ cup grated carrots; ¼ cup almond butter (, use sunbutter for nut free); 2 tablespoons maple syrup (, or for sweeter option ¼ cup maple syrup and no apple sauce); 1-2 tablespoons apple sauce (, test batter consistency first and add to get the texture you want); 2 tablespoons chopped walnuts or pecans (, optional (remove for nut free)); 1½ teaspoons cinnamon; ¼ teaspoon sea salt; ⅛ teaspoon ground ginger; ⅛ teaspoon ground cloves; 6 tablespoons shredded coconut (, optional for coating)

By Sophia DeSantis, Reviewed by Anjali Shah on April 10, 2025

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These carrot cake energy balls are one of my favorite no-bake snacks to have ready in the fridge. They’re made with simple, nourishing ingredients and come together in just 10 minutes – no food processor, no baking, no fuss!

Carrot cake energy balls covered in shredded coconut and spread out on a plate

I started making these when I wanted a healthier grab-and-go snack that still felt like a treat. And since carrot cake is one of my favorite desserts, this flavor just made sense! They’ve got all the cozy spices and sweetness of a traditional carrot cake, but they’re completely plant-based, gluten-free, and naturally sweetened with maple syrup and apple sauce.

Table of Contents hide

👩🏽‍🍳 Why I Love This Recipe

🍽 Serving Suggestions

🧊 Storage Directions

❓Recipe FAQs

🥣 More Vegan Snack Recipes!

📋 Recipe Card

You can make these protein balls by using your favorite protein powder instead of oat flour. My kids love all the different flavors we have like these pumpkin protein balls and peanut butter protein balls!

👩🏽‍🍳 Why I Love This Recipe

These little bites check all the boxes for me: quick, easy, and packed with flavor. I love how customizable they are too! Some weeks I add chopped walnuts, other times I roll them in shredded coconut or toss in a scoop of protein powder to turn them into a post-workout snack.

They’re also the kind of snack my kids genuinely get excited about, and it’s great knowing they’re getting fiber, healthy fats, and even a little veggies in every bite. Honestly, these have saved us from more than a few “I’m starving!” meltdowns.

The best part? They taste like dessert but are made with ingredients I feel great about. They’re perfect for lunchboxes, mid-day energy slumps, or those “I need something sweet right now” moments. And because they store well in the fridge, I can make a batch at the beginning of the week and have healthy snacks on hand for days.

🥘 Ingredients

My no-bake carrot cake bites are made with wholesome, pantry-friendly ingredients and take just a few minutes to stir together. Here’s what you’ll need:

Oat Flour: I like to use store-bought certified gluten-free oat flour, but you can also make your own by blending rolled oats until finely ground. You can also swap in your favorite unflavored or vanilla vegan protein powder. Just note that if you’re using the full maple syrup option, you may need 1–2 extra tablespoons of flour to get the texture right.

Grated Carrots: I recommend using the fine side of a box grater, or a shredding attachment on a food processor to grate your carrots. Large or medium carrots are easiest to work with. You want them finely shredded so they mix in smoothly. Or, purchase already shredded carrots to save on prep time – just keep in mind they may not be as finely shredded as what you would get with a box grater.

Almond Butter: This is my nut butter of choice in this recipe as the flavor is neutral (as opposed to peanut butter) and won’t overtake the other flavors of the carrot cake taste. It gives the bites richness and acts as a binder too. Sunbutter also works great for a nut-free option.

Maple Syrup: This adds amazing natural sweetness. If you prefer sweeter bites, you can use more maple syrup and skip the applesauce.

Apple Sauce: I recommend using unsweetened plain applesauce so that it is easier to control the overall flavor. It adds moisture and helps bind everything, without adding extra sugar.

Chopped Nuts: I like using walnuts or pecans, because it gives the most classic carrot cake taste and feel. These are optional though! You can also sub in chopped almonds or leave them out entirely for a nut-free version.

Spices: Ground cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and salt add all the best carrot cake flavors to the mix. You can omit the ginger and cloves and use more cinnamon instead if you prefer. Nutmeg is another popular spice that you can sprinkle in as well.

Unsweetened Shredded Coconut: I love rolling the finished balls in unsweetened shredded coconut for a bit of texture, and they make the energy bites look so pretty! You can also leave them plain or roll in finely chopped nuts instead.

🔪 How To Make

These no-bake energy balls come together in just a few steps, and there’s no fancy equipment needed. Here’s exactly how I make them:

Mix The Ingredients: I add the oat flour, grated carrots, almond butter, maple syrup, 1 tablespoon of applesauce, and all the spices into a mixing bowl. Then I stir everything together with a spoon or spatula until it forms a thick dough. If the mixture feels too dry or crumbly, I add a little more applesauce, just a teaspoon at a time, until it holds together when pressed.

Chill The Dough, Then Roll: Next, I pop the bowl into the fridge for 10–15 minutes while I clean up. Chilling helps firm up the dough and makes it easier to roll into balls without sticking to my hands. Once the mixture is chilled, I divide it into 10 equal portions and roll each one into a ball using my hands. If I’m making them for kids or lunchboxes, I sometimes make them smaller for more of a bite-sized treat. A cookie scoop works great for evenly portioned balls, but a regular spoon does the job too.

Add A Topping (Optional) And Enjoy! If I’m feeling fancy, I roll the balls in unsweetened shredded coconut or finely chopped nuts for extra texture. But they’re just as good left plain! I either serve these immediately, or place the finished balls in an airtight container and store them in the fridge. They’re ready to eat right away, but I find they hold their shape even better after a couple hours of chilling

Carrot energy balls being rolled in shredded coconut on a grey plate

💭 Expert Tips

My #1 Secret Tip for this recipe is to make sure you grate your carrots very fine (or if you’re buying pre-shredded carrots, make sure those are also shredded fine).

I use the smallest holes on a box grater or a food processor with a shredding attachment. The finer the carrots, the better they blend into the dough and hold together.

Other Tips To Keep In Mind:

Adjust The Applesauce Slowly: I always start with 1 tablespoon of applesauce, then mix and check the texture before adding more. The dough should hold together easily when you press it, but not feel wet or sticky. Adding too much applesauce can make the balls too soft, so it’s best to go slow and add more only if needed.
Use A Cookie Scoop For Even Sizes: If I want all the balls to be uniform (especially for kids or portioning), a small cookie scoop is super helpful and saves time.
Chill Before Rolling: Even 10 minutes in the fridge helps the dough firm up so it’s easier to shape. If the mixture feels too soft or sticky, chilling makes a big difference.

📖 Variations

One of the best things about these carrot cake energy balls is how easy they are to customize. Whether you’re changing up the flavor, adjusting for dietary needs, or just using what you have on hand, there are so many ways to make these your own!

Nut-Free: Use sunbutter instead of almond butter, and leave out the chopped nuts.

Add Protein: Instead of oat flour, I use my favorite vegan protein powder to give these a post-workout boost. Vanilla or unflavored work best, just adjust the texture by adding more maple syrup or applesauce as needed.

Other Mix-Ins: Feel free to stir any of these right into the dough before chilling! Depending on what you add, you may need to slightly adjust the flour or applesauce to keep the consistency just right. Here are some other mix-ins to try: rolled oats, chopped dates, raisins, chopped almonds, sunflower seeds, flax seeds, chia seeds, vegan chocolate chips, different flavored protein powders, vanilla extract.

🍽 Serving Suggestions

These carrot cake energy balls are one of my favorite snacks to keep in the fridge during busy weeks. I love grabbing one with my morning coffee, with a mug of homemade golden milk or this oatmilk latte, or pairing it with a smoothie for a quick breakfast on the go.

And when I’ve got friends or family visiting, I’ll set them out alongside other easy treats like vegan chocolate truffles or no bake date balls for a snack platter everyone can enjoy.

🧊 Storage Directions

Refrigeration: I keep them in an airtight container in the fridge, and they stay fresh for up to one week. I usually line the container with parchment paper or stack them in a single layer so they don’t stick together. They taste great straight from the fridge, but you can also let them sit at room temperature for a few minutes if you prefer a softer texture.

Freezing: If I make a big batch, I’ll freeze half! Just place them in a freezer-safe container or bag with parchment between the layers. They’ll keep for up to 3 months.

Reheating: When I’m ready to enjoy one, I pop it in the fridge to thaw overnight or let it sit out on the counter for 15–20 minutes until it’s ready to eat.

❓Recipe FAQs

Why do my energy balls fall apart?

If your mixture isn’t holding together, it probably needs a little more moisture. Add a tiny bit of extra applesauce, maple syrup, or almond butter until the dough firms up enough to roll.

Can I make these without maple syrup?

You can! Swap it for another liquid sweetener like date syrup, agave, or brown rice syrup. If you prefer a lower-sugar version, you could reduce the sweetener slightly, but you may need to add a bit more applesauce to keep the texture right.

Hand holding a carrot cake energy ball with a bite out of it

🥣 More Vegan Snack Recipes!

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