Carrot Cake Energy Bites
Known as Carrot oat energy bites or carrot cake bliss balls, these are a healthy no-bake nut-free energy ball for kids and a perfect healthy Christmas treat, (Reindeer Food)
Servings: 30 balls
Calories: 50kcal
Ingredients
- 3 carrots medium sized, peeled
- 1 cup oats
- 1 cup sunflower seeds
- ½ cup dates
- 1 Tablespoon coconut oil or other light flavoured oil
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ginger dried
- Desiccated coconut for rolling
Instructions
- Watch the quick recipe video before you get started, scroll up a little to find it
- Check the notes at the bottom of the recipe for little bits of extra info and help
- Place carrots in a sturdy food processor and blitz until very finely chopped
- Add remaining ingredients, excluding the desiccated coconut and blitz until the mixture comes together into a large ball. This may take some time, 5 or so minutes of blitzing but be patient it will get there
- Using a teaspoon form balls, the mixture will be quite sticky (because of the water content of the fresh carrot) , but the texture improves once you roll in coconut. If yu keep your hands damp it stops the mix sticking to your fingers, Get the kids involved they will love the mess
- Roll the balls in desiccated coconut (You don't have to, I sometimes leave some coconut free)
- Refrigerate
Video
Notes
Ingredient swaps
- Carrots: Swap for soft baked pumpkin or k?mara/sweet potato
- Dates: Medjool or regular both work. Soak firm regular dates in hot water for 10 minutes and drain if your food processor isn’t very sturdy. Raisins or sultanas also work.
- Sunflower seeds: Swap for pumpkin seeds (these change the colour) or cashews or almonds (then they’re no longer nut-free).
- Rolled oats: Swap for quinoa or rice flakes. These are wheat-free but not gluten-free as written. Oats can’t be labelled gluten-free in NZ, so use quinoa or rice flakes for coeliac families.
- Coconut oil: It firms up in the fridge and helps the balls hold together. You can use another mild flavoured oil or melted butter if you prefer.
Tips
- Use a sturdy food processor, and blitz the carrot finely first.
- Keep your hands damp while rolling to stop the mix sticking.
- Chill before packing so they hold their shape.
- At Christmas, call them reindeer food!
Storage
- Fridge: Up to 5 days in an airtight container.
- Freezer: Up to 3 months. Pack them straight from frozen and they’ll be thawed by morning tea.
- Lunchboxes: Add an ice pack on warm days.
- Make-ahead: Make a double batch and freeze half.
Toddlers
- Not suitable for babies, because small, round, sticky foods are a choking risk.
- For toddlers, you can change up the shape, flatten into thin discs or a short log, and skip the coconut coating.
- No added sugar or salt.
- Always serve seated and supervised.
Nutrition
Serving: 1ball | Calories: 50kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 5mg | Potassium: 75mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 1022IU | Vitamin C: 0.4mg | Calcium: 9mg | Iron: 0.4mg