Carrot Cake with proteins, essential fats and vitamins? It exists! These raw carrot cake protein bites are so good, it is hard to believe that they offer some serious health benefits. Filled with heart healthy raw walnuts, unsweetened natural coconut, dates, vegan vanilla protein powder, real carrot shreds and low glycemic coconut nectar, these taste more like dessert than anything else. To take these bites the extra mile, I rolled them in hemp hearts, which have been said to increase energy levels, lower cholesterol and even help curb your appetite. These are the perfect midday pick me up when you need a little energy boost, and you can feel good about eating them, knowing that the ingredients within are all natural.
- 12 medjool dates; pitted
- 2 cups raw walnuts
- 1/2 cup unsweetened coconut shreds
- 1 small full size carrot; peeled and grated
- 1 tsp. cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp. nutmeg
- 1/4 tsp. all spice
- A pinch of sea salt
- 1 scoop (30 grams) vanilla protein powder (I used RawFusion vegan protein powder)
- 3 Tbsp. coconut nectar
- Hemp hearts to roll in (optional); I used about 1/2 a cup
- In a food processor, combine walnuts and dates, blending until well mixed and coarsley chopped.
- Add in 1 scoop (30 grams) vanilla protein powder (I used RawFusion Vanilla), coconut, cinnamon, nutmeg, all spice and salt. Blend until mixed.
- Take your peeled carrot and grate it into your food processor bowl.
- When finished, add in coconut nectar and process again until all ingredients are well mixed, and the ‘dough’ begins to stick together, forming a ball (some pieces of walnuts will be visible, which is okay, so don’t over process).
- Pour your hemp hearts into a shallow dish, then lay down a piece of parchment paper to set your finished bites on.
- Begin by taking a little less than a golf ball size amount of your mixture, and roll it between the palms of your hands to create a ball. If mixture won’t stick together, gently work the mixture between your hands to further combine the natural oils.
- Take finished ball and roll it in hemp hearts, placing finished bite on parchment paper.
- Repeat until all of the mixture is used.
- Transfer bites to a shallow container and let bites firm up in the fridge for about 20 minutes before eating. This is not totally necessary, but it will help keep them together.
- Cover finished bites and store in the fridge.
- Bites will save if well covered for about 3 days.
magda
January 28, 2014 at 2:51 pm (10 years ago)These look so scrumptious, I was looking for a healthy bake sale item to make for school. It’s being held in the morning, so these will be great for people wanting to indulge, but get a good start to their day as well!
Thanks for the great photos, and beautiful blog!
Cheers and Bon Appetite,
Magda
Danielle
January 28, 2014 at 4:06 pm (10 years ago)Thank you for the compliment, Magda! I hope they are a hit for you! Everyone I have had try them absolutely loves them
Loretta
March 4, 2014 at 9:46 am (10 years ago)I don’t have a food processor and it’s not in the budget right now to get one. Any suggestions on what I can use to make this without one? I really want to make these for my daughter who needs a healthy alternative for snacks. Thank you.
Danielle
March 4, 2014 at 9:48 am (10 years ago)Hi Loretta! If you have a high speed blender, that should work just fine too.
Aissette
June 24, 2014 at 7:47 pm (10 years ago)This looks wonderful, would peanuts also work instead of the walnuts? It’s a substitution due to an allergy.
Danielle
June 27, 2014 at 9:29 am (10 years ago)Hi Aissette! Sorry for the late response, but yes, I am sure peanuts would work fine as long as they are unsalted
Katie Norris
January 4, 2015 at 12:59 pm (9 years ago)What is the calorie count on these bites??
Danielle
January 4, 2015 at 5:12 pm (9 years ago)It really depends on the protein powder you use, but mine come in at just over 200 calories per bite, and that is if you make each bite fairly large (a little larger than golf ball size).
susan
December 31, 2016 at 10:34 am (7 years ago)Have you tried freezing these so you can make a big batch and keep them longer?