These cheesy carrot bites are a great way of serving carrots! They are soft and tender, making for a perfect lunch or handheld snack!
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Cheese is pretty magical when it comes to enhancing the taste of veggies. It’s amazing how much flavor a little cheese can add and these cheesy carrot bites are no exception! They are perfect for dipping into ketchup, ranch dressing, or even snacking on as is!
Table of Contents
WHAT YOU’LL NEED
Here is what you’ll need to make these cheesy carrot bites:
- Carrots: The main star ingredient for these cheesy bites.
- Breadcrumbs: I like to use plain flavored panko breadcrumbs.
- Egg: Used as a binder to help hold these bites together.
- Shredded Cheese: Used to add flavor to these bites. I used 4-cheese Mexican blend for added flavor, but you may use any type of cheese.
- Garlic/Onion Powder: For added flavor.
- Black Pepper: For a little added kick and flavor.
- Salt: Optional ingredient for a little added flavor. You can make a batch without salt for a younger baby and add salt to the rest for everyone else!
PROCESS
- Shred the carrots using the smallest size hole on a box grater. Use your hands or a towel to squeeze out as much moisture from the carrots as possible. You may also place the carrots over a sieve and use the back of a spoon to press down on it to remove the moisture.
- Add the carrots to a bowl along with the other ingredients. Mix well until combined.
- Scoop out tablespoon-sized portions and roll them into small balls. Place the balls onto a parchment paper-lined pan.
- Bake at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 15 minutes, or until the edges start to slightly brown.
STORAGE INSTRUCTIONS
Once cooled, store carrot bites in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, microwave for 15-20 seconds or until warmed through. To freeze, place the cooled bites in a freezer-safe Ziploc bag and freeze for up to 3 months. Defrost at room temperature before reheating, or quickly reheat on high in the microwave for 20-30 seconds.
SUBSTITUTIONS
- Eggs: For an egg-free version, substitute the egg with a flax egg by mixing one tablespoon of ground flaxseed meal with three tablespoons of water and letting it sit in the fridge for 15 minutes to set and thicken.
- Breadcrumbs: I use panko breadcrumbs in this recipe, but for a gluten-free version, replace the breadcrumbs with almond flour.
- Cheese: For a dairy-free version, substitute the cheese for dairy-free shredded cheese.
RECIPE NOTES
- It is extremely important to remove as much moisture from the carrots as possible. Excess moisture will result in an overmoist mixture that will cause the bites to be soggy. You can use your hands or a towel, but I find that using a nut milk bag is the easiest to remove the most moisture. Don’t throw out that juice! It has amazing nutrients that can be used in another recipe!
- This recipe makes 10 small carrot balls. Feel free to double the recipe for a larger batch!
- If you’d like to make these in a mini muffin pan, I recommend using a silicone muffin pan as they pop out easily without any sticking.
- I used 4-cheese Mexican blend cheese in this recipe for added flavor. Mozzarella cheese is a good low-sodium alternative.
Here are some other veggie recipes you may like!
Cheesy Carrot Bites
Ingredients
- 1 cup finely grated carrots
- ⅓ cup grated cheese
- ¼ cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1 egg
- ¼ tsp garlic powder
- ¼ tsp onion powder
- ¼ tsp salt (optional)
- ¼ tsp black pepper (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (204 degrees C).
- Shred the carrots using the smallest size hole on a box grater. Use your hands or a towel to squeeze out as much moisture from the carrots as possible. You may also place the carrots over a sieve and use the back of a spoon to press down on it to remove the moisture.
- Add the carrots to a bowl along with the other ingredients. Mix well until combined.
- Scoop out tablespoon-sized portions and roll them into small balls. Place the balls onto a parchment paper-lined pan.
- Bake for 15 minutes, or until the edges start to slightly brown.
Notes
- It is extremely important to remove as much moisture from the carrots as possible. Excess moisture will result in an overmoist mixture that will cause the bites to be soggy. You can use your hands or a towel, but I find that using a nut milk bag is the easiest to remove the most moisture. Don’t throw out that juice! It has amazing nutrients that can be used in another recipe!
- This recipe makes 10 small carrot balls. Feel free to double the recipe for a larger batch!
- If you’d like to make these in a mini muffin pan, I recommend using a silicone muffin pan as they pop out easily without any sticking.
- I used 4-cheese Mexican blend cheese in this recipe for added flavor. Mozzarella cheese is a good low-sodium alternative.
OMG! Absolutely love these so much! They’re super easy to make and mess free! Both me and my little one loved them so much, I plan on making a second batch some time soon (: Thanks so much!
I’m so happy to hear that both you and your little one likes these bites! Thank you for sharing your great feedback, Tamia😊
Best recipe ever! Not only do I (the mom) but also my husband and son love this! So so good!
I’m so happy to hear that you all enjoyed these! Thank you for sharing your great feedback, Vanessa!😊
What is one serving in this case
I’ve been trying to offer my son carrots for a very long time and this is probably the best, yummiest, creative way to offer carrots to your toddler! My son loves these carrot bites and I do too!! Overall, I’ve tried many recipes from @feedingtinybellies and my son has loved everything. Love her recipes!
I’m so happy that this was a successful way to offer your son carrots! And so happy that he’s been loving other recipes as well! Thanks for sharing your great review, Melissa!😊
My 13 mo old loved these! Served them for the first time with dinner and they were the first thing to disappear from her plate!
I’m so happy to hear that! Thanks for sharing your great review, Alisa!😊
These are soo yummy! My daughter and I ate every last bite. Definitely making more of these in the future 😍
I’m so happy that your daughter loved these! Thanks for sharing your great review, Clarissa! 🙂
These are so easy to make and my 17-month-old loved them. He kept asking for more!
Thanks for sharing your great feedback, Rachel!😊
Amazing taste! Served them with a side of greek joghurt – mustard die, everything was devoured in minutes! Thank you so much for your recipes!
I’m so glad that you enjoyed these bites! Thanks for your great feedback, Frauke!😊
You’re a lifesaver!! This is a family favorite.
I’m so happy to hear that your whole family enjoys these carrot bites!😊
I made these tonight and it took restraint for my husband and I not to eat them all. They are absolutely delicious! Can’t wait for my daughter to try them tomorrow.
I’m so happy to hear that you both loved these bites! Hopefully, your daughter approves as well!😉 Thanks for sharing your great review, Courtney!
They taste bomb! Will double the batch next time.
I’m so happy that you enjoyed them, Laurie!😊
Love love love! My kiddos already love carrots and cheese separately, so what a genius idea to put them together! Thank you again, Lily!
Hi Sarah! I’m so happy to hear that your little ones enjoyed this combo! Thanks for sharing your great feedback!😊
Love this recipe! My son enjoyed it & so did the adults.
I’m so glad that you enjoyed this recipe!😊
These sound awesome! I’m curious if anyone has tried them in an air fryer.
Would these work in an air fryer?
Yes, these can be air fried! I suggest air frying for about 10 minutes (shaking halfway through) and adding a few more minutes as needed!
Made these for the first time tonight. My 18-month-old loved them and was begging for more! I’ll double the recipe next time: do you know what one serving size is?
Hi Janna! I’m so happy to hear that your little one enjoyed these😊 As far as serving size, do you mean how many balls this recipe is intended to make or how many bites are suggested to offer at a time?
What can I use the leftover carrot juice in?
Thanks!
Hi Sarah! I like to save it to add to smoothies! You can also use it in soups😊
I’m so happy I found this recipe. Just made these today- I love them. Waiting for my son to wake up to try them. I love having more veggies added to his meals in a delicious way. (Used mozzarella, so good).
I’m so glad you like them! Thanks for sharing that feedback, Megan!😊
The whole family enjoyed these! I also added a little bit of nutritional yeast. Turned out great.
I’m so glad to hear that you enjoyed these! And I love the add in of nutritional yeast!😊
You’ve done it again!! These were a huge hit with my 9mo. Thank you thank you! Subbed mozz as suggested for lower sodium. I also didn’t have panko so I just chopped up some stale sourdough which made for a lumpier texture but worked out.
Thank you so much for this feedback, Serenity, I’m so happy you loved them!😊
These were so awesome and fast to whip up ! How long can you freeze the leftovers for ?
I’m so glad to hear that! These are good frozen in an airtight container for up to 3 months😊