These No-Bake Carrot Cake Bites by Healthy Midwestern Girl are pure deliciousness. They are absolutely loaded with nutrients. Best of all, they’re quick and easy to make using ingredients that you likely have on hand. Talk about a real life saver!
Ingredients
- 2 large carrots grated (about 1 1/2 cups)
- 1/4 cup roughly chopped Medjool dates softened (about 3 large dates)
- 1/4 cup coarsely ground flax seed (or more-see notes)
- 1 cup rolled oats
- 1/4 cup plain unsweetened natural style almond butter
- 1/2 cup raisins
- 1/2 cup walnut pieces
- 1 1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice or make your own – see notes
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- Optional: 1 teaspoon fresh ginger finely grated
- Optional: 1 teaspoon turmeric powder (or more)
- 1/2 cup unsweetened shredded coconut to roll the bites in
- Variations: For a sweeter, donut-hole type bite, roll in a mixture of coconut sugar and cinnamon, then dredge in shredded coconut or ground walnuts. For extra crunch, roll the bites in ground walnuts.
Instructions
- Grate the carrots using the grating/shredding blade of your food processor or a box grater. If using ginger, grate it by hand with the fine section of a box grater or a micro-planer.
- Soften the chopped dates by placing them in a small dish with a tablespoon of water and microwaving on high for 30 seconds.
- Add all ingredients (except the shredded coconut) to a food processor and pulse until well blended stopping occasionally to scrape down the sides. Add water (or you could use applesauce) a tablespoon at a time to thin the mixture. Continue to process until well blended and just slightly chunky.
- Place in a bowl (or just leave in the food processor bowl) and cover. Allow to rest for 15-30 minutes in the refrigerator, or until the mixture is slightly firm.
- To make the balls, scoop out a bit of mixture at time using a tablespoon or cookie scoop and roll into approximately 1-inch balls. (See notes for an alternative method.)
- Dredge each ball in shredded coconut–or variation of your choice.
Notes
- To make this recipe easier on the budget and get more flax into your diet, you can increase the flax to 1/2 cup and decrease the walnuts to 1/4 cup.
- These bites are intentionally made to not be too sweet so they’re healthy to eat every day. You can always add more dates if you want a sweeter bite–or roll in coconut sugar and cinnamon before dredging.
- If you don’t have pumpkin pie spice, sub 1 tsp cinnamon, 1/4 tsp allspice and 1/4 tsp nutmeg.
- METHOD 2: Line an 8 x 8 pan with parchment paper longer than the pan (for easy removal). Spoon mixture into the pan, spread evenly with the back of a wooden spoon. Cover with parchment paper and press down gently to even out the mixture. Allow to rest for 15 minutes in the refrigerator. Using the ends of the parchment paper, lift the chilled mixture out in one piece. Place on a cutting board and slice into 16 or 20 pieces. Either top with coconut and enjoy as bars, or roll each piece into a round ball.
- METHOD 2 is a bit of extra work, but you may prefer it because pressing the mixture helps firm in up and it’s easy to cut into even-sized bites.
If you haven’t yet tried these No-Bake Carrot Cake Bites you have no idea what you’re missing. Besides that, what are you waiting for? The goodness awaits!
