Today I have a quick and easy recipe to share with you. It tastes great and is healthy too.
A couple months ago I went to Vail for a weekend get-away with friends. One of my girlfriends loves to cook and she likes trying new recipes. She saw this recipe in a newsletter she received from the Barre studio she goes to in Denver.
“These yummy Carrot Cake Energy Bites are complete nutrition power balls, balanced with protein, fat, fiber, and essential nutrients. Eat them as an energy-stabilizing snack or a meal substitution when you’re on the go.”
My friend decided to make these for the first time and bring them along for the weekend. They were delicious!
People ask me all the time for ideas regarding healthy snacks to have in the office, to carry with them when they are running from meeting to meeting and don’t have time for lunch, or they want healthy snack options for their kids when they come home from school.
This is now my go-to favorite recommendation.
If you like carrot cake and the flavor of cinnamon/nutmeg spice, you will love these Carrot Cake Energy Bites, and did I mention they are really, really, REALLY yummy.
Enjoy! 🙂
INGREDIENTS:
1 1/4 cup old fashioned rolled oats (gluten-free, if possible)
1/3 cup pecans, finely chopped
2 Tbs. ground flax seeds
3/4 cup sunflower-seed butter
1/4 cup pure maple syrup
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg
1/8 tsp. ground cloves
3/4 cup shredded carrots
1/4 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
1/2 cup raisins
DIRECTIONS:
1. In a large bowl, mix together oats, pecans, and flax seeds. Stir in sunflower-seed butter, maple syrup, vanilla extract, and spices. Mix until well-combined. Don’t be afraid to roll up your sleeves and do this with your hands! Make sure everything is well-incorporated.
2. Stir in the grated carrots, coconut, and raisins.
3. Form the mixture into individual balls (about the size of a ping-pong ball)
4. Place the energy bites on a baking sheet and refrigerate for at least 1 hour (this will help form them up.) Serve chilled or at room temperature.
5. Store the remaining energy bites in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
NOTE: The energy balls might be a little bit crumbly when you form then into balls. It helps to spray a little cooking spray on your hands to help keep things together. Roll them firmly so they stick together. Once they’re refrigerated, they firm up and hold their shape incredibly well.
