If you have a blender or high-performance food processor, you can make carrot and date energy bites. This recipe takes around 5 minutes to make. They are so easy! Also, they freeze well so you can make them in advance and enjoy them as you wish. They are great for snacks, a quick breakfast, and to pack in lunchboxes. Kids love them and may not realize they are eating carrots. (In my house, that’s often a win!)
The sweetness comes from the dates. They also help bind the ingredients together.
Use the following ingredients as a base and feel free to add other ingredients you have on hand to change up the flavor. I love making homemade treats so my family can avoid palm oil. It doesn’t get easier than this.
Carrot and Date Energy Bites
Be sure to buy bags of unsweetened coconut. All the sweetened bags I’ve found contain palm oil ingredients in the form of Propylene Glycol. I buy unsweetened coconut from Trader Joe’s and blend it in my Vitamix.
Also be sure to use pure vanilla extract, not imitation which typically contains palm oil in the form of Glycerin, Propylene Glycol, etc.
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups pitted dates
- 3 cups shredded coconut
- 2 small carrots cut into pieces or peeled
- ¼ cup raisins
- 1 tablespoon nut butter or tahini
- ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- Dash of sea salt
- Add if not moist when making: 1 teaspoon of maple syrup or honey
How to Make Carrot & Date Balls
- Be sure to remove all stems and pits from the dates.
- Add the coconut to the food processor and blend until very small.
- Measure remaining ingredients, and put them in the food processor.
- Pulse the food processor in short bursts. Blend until dates form a paste; scrap sides as needed.
- Shape into balls.
- Refrigerate or freeze until you are ready to serve.
Recipe tips:
- If the mixture seems dry, add a teaspoon of maple syrup or honey.
- If the ingredients aren’t binding together, add a few more dates.
Variations
The beauty of this recipe is that it’s versatile! Get creative and experiment with different add-ins like chopped nuts, seeds, spices, etc.
- Omit coconut if you wish
- Chopped walnuts, cashews, pecans, or any nuts
- Dried fruits such as cranberries, cherries, or chopped apricots
- Pinch of nutmeg or ginger
- Palm oil free milk chocolate or dark chocolate
- For more bulk and fiber, you add ¼ cups of rolled oats. If you want this to be gluten free, be sure to use certified gluten free oats. (It does make a difference if you are sensitive to gluten.)
- If you add oats, you will need to add a tablespoon or more of maple syrup or honey.
- If you want these bliss balls to be vegan, do not add honey.
- Roll the balls in chopped nuts or cacao powder for an extra flavor and textural boost.
You can make several of each type. As an example, you can have a small bowl of chopped nuts or cocoa powder and roll some of the balls in one or the other and leave the others “plain”.
Tips
My Vitamix instructions say to put the easier-to-blend foods on the bottom. So when making these bites, I put the raisins and coconut first, then the dates and the carrots on top. If you are finding it’s difficult to blend, turn off the blender and add a bit more maple syrup.
I chop the carrots fairly small, in less than 1 inch chunks. Sometimes I peel or grate them but it’s not necessary. Do whatever your blender can handle.
Be sure to scrap the sides and incorporate all the ingredients. Dates are sticky so using a dry ingredient like rolled oats can minimize them from sticking together in the food processor.
I buy shredded coconut that’s still in fairly large pieces. To be sure they break down, I blend them first in my Vitamix.
I have only made these with almond butter but you can also use cashew butter or palm oil free peanut butter.
Storing
Store up to 5 days in the fridge. You can also freeze them in a freezer-safe container or freezer bag (remove all the air before freezing). Take them out in the morning, and they will be ready to enjoy by lunchtime. They keep in the freezer for up to 6 months.
What Kind of Dates to Use to Make Bliss Balls
I most often find Deglet Noor or Medjool dates in the stores I go to. You can use either in this no-bake recipe. Others that work (that I haven’t tried) are Halawi, Barhi, or Sayer dates. Typically I buy dates from Costco. In a pinch, I buy them from my grocery store.
FAQs
1. Can I substitute the dates with another ingredient?
Dates act as the natural sweetener and binder in this recipe. I haven’t tried these with figs but you can try doing half dates and half figs if you are low on dates.
2. Do I need a high-powered blender or food processor?
I think you do. However, if you have a regular blender or food processor, pre-chop the carrots and dates to make the ingredients combine better.
3. Can I make these in advance?
Yes, these carrot and date balls store well in the refrigerator up to 5 days or in the freezer for up to 6 months. They are perfect for meal prepping or grabbing a quick, on-the-go snack.
4. Are these energy bites gluten free or vegan?
Yes, these are gluten free. If you add oats, be sure to use certified gluten free oats if you want them to be gluten free. If the mixture is dry and you add in honey, they will not be vegan. Read labels and “may contain” statements. Be sure to check the ingredients you choose for any potential allergens or dietary concerns.
5. Can I use different types of dates?
Yes, I use Medjool or Deglet Noor dates because they are soft and sweet. Medjool dates are the most popular types because of their sweeter-than-average taste and larger size. However, you can use other kinds such as Halawi or Barhi dates. If using Barhi dates, use them in their tamr stage when they are fully mature and at their sweetest.
Some dates might be drier and require soaking in warm water for 10 minutes before blending.
Using Dates in Desserts
These are no bake date balls but I also love baking with dates because they are easy to work with if you have a high-performance food processor. They are a hassle-free way to add sweetness and texture. They are also great for gluten free desserts.
These date and carrot cake balls are so delicious with black coffee. The sweetness balances out the coffee for me. I love them morning, noon, and night! They make for a fun holiday or birthday party treat (watch for coconut and nut allergies among your guests).
Thanks for being interested in palm oil free desserts and ways to use real foods. Relying less on premade and processed foods means less demand for palm oil. Thank you!
If you have other ideas for adding to these no-bake carrot and date energy bites, please add them in the Comments. Check out my other posts for making desserts at home.
Love easy recipes using dates and/or real ingredients? Check out these:
- Homemade date bars
- Coconut and date balls
- Vegan bars recipe
- Granola recipe
- Candied pecans stovetop
- Zucchini bread
Carrot and Date Energy Bites ~ No Bake and So Easy
Equipment
- Blender or food processor
- Measuring spoons and cups
- Plate or bowl for rolling and storing
- Spoon
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups pitted dates
- 3 cups shredded coconut
- 2 small carrots cut into pieces or peeled
- ¼ cup raisins
- 1 tablespoon nut butter or tahini
- ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- Dash of sea salt
- Optional: 1 teaspoon maple syrup or honey if mixture is dry
Instructions
- Remove stems and pits from dates.
- Add all ingredients to blender.
- Pulse the food processor in short bursts. Blend until dates form a paste; scrap sides as needed.
- Shape into balls.
- Refrigerate or freeze until you are ready to serve.
Evie
Monday 20th of May 2024
You keep commenting about honey and maple syrup, neither are in the recipe. Please clarify. I'd like to make these but not if something is missing from the recipe.
editor
Wednesday 22nd of May 2024
I am so sorry. Thank you for bringing this to my attention! I have updated the post and recipe. You only need to add about a teaspoon of maple syrup or honey if the mixture is dry. Thanks so much for taking the time to comment. I hope you enjoy the recipe!