These fudgy, kid-friendly carob energy balls are made without dates or cocoa powder. No baking time needed, so they're ready for your enjoyment immediately!
I love carob and have used it in many a recipe over the years, including Hot Carob and Carob Mousse.
The most asked question about carob seems to be does it taste like chocolate?
In my opinion, having worked extensively with both cocoa and carob powders, NO, it doesn't.
Carob is its own unique entity, having a completely different taste than cocoa powder.
It's sweet and mild, not bitter, and it contains NO caffeine.
That being said, however, it does tend to work well as a substitute for cocoa in the same way that almond butter can be substituted for peanut butter.
I created these carob energy balls as a way to give my kids a quick, lower sugar treat that didn't cause a caffeine-induced surge of energy.
The healthy fats and mild sweetness, along with the oats, provide a gentle stabilizing effect on my kids, and they all love the taste!
Ingredients and substitutions
- Carob powder
- Rolled or quick oats
- Sea salt
- Avocado
- Nut or seed butter - Any will work; our favorites are almond or peanut butter.
- Maple syrup - Honey can be substituted.
- Vanilla extract
Directions
Begin by processing the oats into a flour-like consistency. Next, pulse in the carob and salt.
Finally, add in the remaining ingredients and process until they form a large ball.
Divide the dough and make about eight energy balls.
Recipe tips
Carob has a natural sweetness that doesn't require a lot of extra sugar to become really delicious.
If you want to lower the sweetener, you can use water in place of one or both tablespoons of maple syrup and add in some stevia (which pairs very well with carob).
Carob Energy Balls
Ingredients
- ¾ cup rolled or quick oats
- 3 Tablespoons carob powder plus extra for rolling, if desired
- ⅛ teaspoon sea salt
- ½ medium avocado
- 2 Tablespoons nut or seed butter almond and peanut butter are our favorites
- 2 Tablespoons maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
Instructions
- Process the oats until fine like flour.
- Pulse in the carob and salt.
- Add in the remaining ingredients and process until a large bowl forms.
- Roll the mixture into balls and in carob powder, if desired.
Notes
Nutrition
If you have a chance to try this recipe, please leave a star rating and a comment below letting me know how you liked it!
Gabby @ the veggie nook
truffle and carob queen! It's ok- I looooove carob too 😉
Tammy
Ooohh I'm making these this weekend! Love the mixture of avocado and chocolate/carob. I was quite hooked on your chocolate milkshake for awhile lol
Lauren
I hope you enjoy them Tammy! They are a big hit around here. 🙂
Kari @ bite-sized thoughts
I love carob and these look fantastic - I have made oat truffle balls and avocado desserts but never truffle balls with avocado!
amber
Hi Lauren,
You know I am a huge fan of carob! This recipe looks incredible. I can't wait to make this for my kiddos. I am always looking for new ways to use carob. Love it!!
Hugs.
Lauren
Thanks girl! 🙂 Hope all is well with you!
emma @ be mom strong
Hi Lauren!
I just found your blog this weekend and let me tell you- you are ALL over my Pinterest board as far as recipes go! My husband is so excited I found your blog.. I'm a pretty boring cook! I do make these for my daughter but have never added the carob chips or avocado. Will have to try!
Thanks again!
Lauren
Haha, thanks Emma! I hope you enjoy the truffles if you try them! 🙂
Allison @ Clean Wellness
I've never actually tried carob. Does it taste like chocolate? I love the idea of the oats to add some texture! Yum!
Lauren
It doesn't taste like chocolate, but the color and consistency are very similar. It's much sweeter and requires less sugar to make a dessert, which I personally like. It seems people really like it or really don't!
laura
hey can you sub the coconut butter for anything ?
Lauren
A nut butter like raw almond or cashew might work, but I haven't tried it myself.
Katka
Hi Lauren, I love your website!!! I like to bake & cook healthy and your recipes seem to be just perfect! Keep on pleaaase :))
btw laura, I've read you can make your own coconut butter by mixing coconut (you can add a lil bit coconut oil but you do not have to), let's check some homemade coconut butter 🙂
Donna
well another question to this recipe I have just found.....oats. instead of oats. I know they are the basis of this dessert, but those of us who are 'grain free'.....another flour? coconut or a nut flour I guess?
Lauren
You could try any one of the ingredients you mentioned. 🙂
Janice Melnychuk
So happy to have found this recipe and now making it to suit dietary issues. We use honey, softened coconut oil and add whey powder to make up for creaminess of avocado or nut butter which are allergies. Love to add cinnamon, ground ginger, grated peels and gf rice crispies for texture. Great starting point so thank you very much from a goodies challenged family!