These healthy carrot cake bars go viral every time I share them on social media — and it’s easy to see why. They’re made with just 6 simple, wholesome ingredients and have no flour, no dairy, no eggs, no sugar, and no artificial sweeteners. Just naturally sweet medjool dates, carrots, oats, walnuts, and coconut.
They’re soft, gently spiced, and so satisfying — like a treat, but made entirely with gut-loving ingredients. And because everything comes together in a food processor and bakes in just 15 minutes, they’re also incredibly easy to make. One pan, no mess, minimal prep.
This is the kind of snack that works for everyone: gluten-free (if using GF oats), refined sugar-free, and nourishing enough to enjoy any time of day. Store them in the fridge for up to 5 days, or freeze for later.
Tips
- Use soft dates: I really recommend you to use soft medjool dates vs regular dates.Medjool dates are plump and tender, so they blend easily and help bind ingredients without needing extra liquid. Regular dried dates (like Deglet Noor) tend to be firmer and drier, which can make your mix too crumbly unless you soak them first. If your dates feel a bit dry, soak them in warm water for 5–10 minutes before blending. This helps the mixture come together more easily and gives natural sweetness and moisture.
- Don’t over-blend: You want to pulse the mix until it’s sticky and chunky — not a smooth paste. This gives the bars a great texture.
- Line your tray: Use baking paper to prevent sticking — this makes removing and slicing the bars much easier.
- Let it cool completely: They firm up as they cool. Cutting them too early can make them crumbly.
- Customise the flavour: Orange zest adds a fresh twist, but you could also add nutmeg or ginger for a more spiced version.
- No food processor? You can grate the carrots, chop the dates and walnuts finely by hand, and mix everything in a bowl — it’ll just take a little more time.
Swaps
Carrots – I don’t recommend swapping the carrot with other ingredients. Instead, I have lots of other bar’s recipes you’ll love! Check out my recommendation below “MORE HEALTHY BARS”
Dates – Regular dried dates can be used instead of medjool, just soak them in warm water for 10–15 mins to soften before blending. Prunes work too for a richer taste.
Oats – Use gluten-free oats if needed, or try quinoa flakes or almond flour for a slightly different texture.
Walnuts – Swap with pecans, almonds, or sunflower seeds for a nut-free version.
Shredded coconut – You can replace with ground almonds or simply use more oats if you’re not into coconut.
Cinnamon – Try mixed spice or add a pinch of nutmeg or ginger for a different warm flavour.
Orange zest – Lemon zest also works, or skip entirely if you prefer a more classic carrot cake flavour.
Storage
Fridge: Once fully cooled, store the bars in an airtight container in the fridge. They’ll stay fresh for up to 5 days and actually taste even better the next day as the flavours settle.
Freezer: You can also freeze them: place in a container with baking paper between layers to stop them sticking. Defrost overnight in the fridge or enjoy slightly chilled straight from frozen for a firmer bite.
More Healthy Bars
6-Ingredient Healthy Carrot Cake Bars
Ingredients
- 2 carrots ~250g
- 8 dates ~140g
- 80 g oats
- 60 g walnuts
- 70 g shredded coconut
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- Optional: 1 tsp orange zest
Instructions
- Add all the ingredients to a food processor and blitz/pulse until you reach the consistency you see in my video. Don’t want to overmix!
- Transfer to a baking tray and bake 15 mins 180C (I added a piece of baking paper at the bottom of the tray to avoid sticking)
- Let cool down completely into tray and cut into bars (or square if you wish)