We love snacking on these 7-ingredient carrot energy balls. They taste just like carrot cake, but they're nut-free, vegan, gluten-free, and easy to make!

snacks & dips / vegan / gluten free

It’s April which means – time for carrot desserts! Or, well, in this case, carrot snacks. These lightly sweetened carrot bites are great for 3pm snacktime or an on-the-go breakfast. They’re more carroty than cakey – and by that I mean that they’re not cake-like at all and there’s no baking required (if you’re really craving cake click here or here). They’re chewy little balls made from a mix of carrots, sunflower seeds, dates, coconut, and cinnamon.

By popular request, I made these nut free (as long as coconut is ok) – I was very tempted to try an almond version, but I held back because sunflower seeds hold these together quite nicely. For an almond-carrot recipe, remember these cookies?

These are super simple to put together. Just pulse all of the ingredients in the food processor and roll into balls. If you like, you can roll them into some shredded coconut – they’re delicious with or without the extra coconut. Pop them in the fridge for a convenient snack all week!

If you love these bliss balls, check out these energy balls, my homemade granola bars, or any of these 47 Best Healthy Snacks next!

5.0 from 21 reviews

Almost-Raw Carrot Cake Bliss Balls

  PrintPrep time 15 minsTotal time 15 mins We love to snack on these vegan, gluten-free, and nut-free carrot energy balls! Make a big batch and freeze them to keep on hand.Author: Jeanine DonofrioRecipe type: SnackServes: 16 ballsIngredients

• 1 cup raw hulled sunflower seeds
• 1 cup unsweetened shredded coconut + ⅓ cup for rolling
• ½ teaspoon cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon sea salt
• 12 soft Medjool dates, pitted and soaked if they’re very dry
• ⅔ cup chopped carrots
• 2 teaspoons maple syrup, more to taste

Instructions

In a food processor, combine the sunflower seeds, 1 cup shredded coconut, cinnamon and salt and pulse until it becomes a fine meal.

Add the dates and carrots and pulse until the mixture combines and sticks together. Taste and add more maple syrup if you would like your bites sweeter. If the mixture is too dry, add more maple syrup; if it’s too moist, add more coconut and/or let the mix chill in the fridge for 20 minutes to firm up.

Use a tablespoon to scoop the mixture, then use your hands to roll it into approximately 1-inch balls.

Roll in the remaining coconut to coat the outside, if desired. Store in the fridge in an air-tight container for up to 5 days.

3.4.3177
 

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