Flourless Carrot Cake Balls
Flourless Carrot Cake Balls are bite-sized, flour-free treats that combine the rich, moist flavors of classic carrot cake with wholesome, natural ingredients. Perfect for a healthier snack or festive dessert, these gluten-free balls offer a moist texture, balanced spices, and natural sweetness, making them a delicious guilt-free indulgence suitable for various dietary needs.
- Author: Lina
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 20 balls 1x
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: No-Bake
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Main Ingredients
- 1 cup freshly grated carrots
- 1 cup ground nuts (almonds or walnuts)
- 1/2 cup dried fruit (raisins or dates)
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup or honey
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Optional Ingredients
- 1/4 cup shredded coconut or oats
- Flaxseed “egg” (1 tablespoon flaxseed meal + 3 tablespoons water, for vegan option)
- Mini dark chocolate chips or cocoa powder (for chocolate variation)
- Cardamom or cloves (for spice variation)
- Ground sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds (nut-free alternative)
- Scoop of protein powder (optional added protein)
- Prep the Carrots and Nuts: Begin by finely grating your carrots to ensure they incorporate well and provide maximum moisture. Next, pulse the nuts in a food processor until finely ground but not overly powdered, which will give your balls some nice texture.
- Mix Your Dry Ingredients: Combine your ground nuts, spices (cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger), and any dry add-ins like shredded coconut or oats in a large bowl. This helps distribute the flavor evenly before introducing wet ingredients.
- Add Wet Ingredients and Bind: Stir in your maple syrup or honey, vanilla extract, and grated carrots, mixing gently but thoroughly. If using dates or raisins, pulse them to a paste and fold them in to help bind everything together naturally. For vegan option, substitute honey with maple syrup and use flaxseed “egg” if needed.
- Form Your Carrot Cake Balls: Use your hands or a small cookie scoop to form even-sized balls. If the mixture feels too sticky, chill it for 15-20 minutes to make handling easier.
- Chill and Set: Place your Flourless Carrot Cake Balls on a tray lined with parchment paper and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes so they firm up perfectly before serving.
Notes
- Grate finely: Finely grated carrots blend better and prevent the balls from becoming too chunky or dry.
- Use fresh spices: Freshly ground cinnamon and nutmeg enhance the flavor much more than pre-ground spices.
- Adjust sweetness: Taste the mixture before forming balls and add a little more sweetener if needed.
- Chill before shaping: Let the mixture rest in the fridge to help it bind better and be easier to roll.
- Store properly: Use an airtight container to keep the carrot cake balls fresh and moist for longer.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 ball
- Calories: 70
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 15mg
- Fat: 4g
- Saturated Fat: 0.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 7g
- Fiber: 1.5g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: flourless, carrot cake balls, gluten free, healthy snack, no bake, vegan option, low sugar, energy balls