Pumpkin Spice Energy Bites
Pumpkin energy balls are packed with fall flavor! These easy no-bake energy balls are full of real pumpkin, warm cinnamon and nutmeg, wholesome oats and flax seeds, and just the right amount of mini chocolate chips. They’re ready in 10 minutes and perfect for snacking, lunch boxes, and a mid-afternoon pick-me-up.
Delicious Details
- Cuisine Inspiration: American
- Primary Cooking Method: No-bake
- Dietary Info: Gluten-free option, Dairy-free option, Nut-free
- Skill Level: Easy
I love making big batches of energy balls to pack for lunch, fuel a family hike, or have on hand for ravenous kids after school. So naturally, when autumn arrives, I like to make these snacks with fall flavors. These pumpkin protein balls have it all, with real pumpkin and pumpkin pie spice paired perfectly with dates, oats, and chocolate.
Fall is my favorite season, and I prefer to spend my time curled up on the couch with a bowl of my favorite chili, a spiced apple cider Moscow mule, and a lineup of college football games on TV! That’s why I love that these come together in minutes with only seven ingredients. Here are more reasons to love them…
About These No-Bake Pumpkin Energy Balls
- Feel good food. These easy pumpkin energy balls are naturally sweetened with dates instead of adding something like honey. Yes, they have chocolate chips, but you can skip that or use a sugar-free version if you prefer. Plus, they’re bulked up with whole grain oats and flax seeds.
- Great for lunch boxes. These easy snack bites are already egg-free and nut-free, since they use pumpkin seeds (pepitas) instead of nuts or nut butter. You can also choose to make them with certified gluten-free oats and dairy-free chocolate to accommodate any allergies. They’re perfect for packing in school lunches!
- Simple to make. There’s no cooking or baking required to make your energy bites. You don’t need anything more than a spatula, measuring spoons, your hands, and a food processor or high-powered blender.
Recipe Ingredients and Substitutions
Here is a rundown of what you’ll need to make this pumpkin energy ball recipe. I’ve also included some notes about the ingredients and substitutions you can make. Scroll down to the recipe card for the full amounts and detailed instructions.
- Dates. Like the dried apricots in my no-bake chia energy bars, the dates in these pumpkin balls provide natural sweetness and keep everything stuck together. Make sure they are pitted.
- Pumpkin puree. I used canned pumpkin puree. Make sure to get real pumpkin, not pumpkin pie filling that has sugar and spices, and other stuff already added.
- Old-fashioned oats. Be sure to use certified gluten-free oats, if needed.
- Ground flaxseed. Sometimes called flax meal or flaxseed meal. If you can only find whole seeds, just grind them up in a food processor.
- Raw pumpkin seeds or pepitas. I use these seeds to keep the pumpkin energy balls nut- and peanut-free, and therefore lunchbox-friendly. But you can always substitute walnuts or pecans. Sunflower seeds are another option.
- Pumpkin pie spice. A warm balance of spices, usually cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. Make your own pumpkin pie spice using my recipe or pick up your favorite brand at the store. You’ll want to check your blend is gluten-free, if needed, so use a trusted brand such as McCormick Pumpkin Pie Spice.
- Mini chocolate chips. Technically, these are optional, but chocolate and pumpkin are a spectacular combo. Since they are mini chips, a little goes a long way for adding a burst of chocolate. Use a dairy-free brand such as Enjoy Life to keep this a vegan snack.
How to Make Pumpkin Energy Bites
Preparing the pumpkin mixture is as easy as combining all the ingredients in a food processor or blender. Pulse a few times to form a thick paste, then fold in the chocolate chips. You’re ready to scoop the pumpkin balls! Aim for energy balls that are about 1″ in size. A small cookie scoop works great, or you can use your hands.
Tips for Perfect Homemade Energy Balls
- If your energy balls aren’t sticking together, it’s likely the dough doesn’t have enough moisture. Add a little extra pumpkin puree, or a sprinkle of water at a time, until the dough gets to the right consistency. If you’re not making these energy bites nut-free, try mixing in a little nut butter.
- Chill the dough. Chilling the pumpkin energy ball dough can help if you find it’s too sticky when handling. Leave it in the fridge for 10-15 minutes, then scoop the dough into balls.
- Make this recipe without a food processor. You can grind up the oats between your fingers and then fold everything together by hand.
- Add protein. Make pumpkin protein balls and add in a scoop of your favorite vanilla or chocolate protein powder.
Frequently Asked Questions
Dates help bind and sweeten the energy ball dough, but other dried fruits will work, too! Try replacing dates with dried apricots, dried cherries, or even raisins.
I usually use old-fashioned, rolled oats. However, quick oats will also work in this recipe.
Proper Storage
Pumpkin energy balls are a great snack to make ahead (go ahead and double or triple the batch) to keep on hand for busy days. Since these are made with pumpkin puree instead of all dried fruit like other recipes, they are a bit softer than other energy bites. You’ll want to store them in the refrigerator will keep them firm, as well as fresh.
- Refrigerate – Place your formed energy balls in an airtight container or a plastic Ziploc storage bag and keep them in the fridge. They will last for a couple of weeks.
- Freezer – For longer storage or if you’ve made a big batch, you can freeze these energy balls. They will keep for several months. I just like to wrap my containers in plastic wrap or separate the energy balls into several small plastic bags that I then place into a larger bag to help minimize ice crystals and freezer burn.
No-Bake Pumpkin Energy Balls
Ingredients
- 1 cup pitted dates
- 1/2 cup pumpkin puree, not pumpkin pie filling
- 1/2 cup uncooked old-fashioned oats, gluten free, if needed
- 1/4 cup ground flax seed or flax meal
- 1/4 cup raw pumpkin seeds (pepitas)
- 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
- 2 Tablespoons mini chocolate chips, vegan, if needed
Instructions
- Combine all of the ingredients except the chocolate chips in a food processor or high-powered blender and process until it forms a paste. You may need to stop the machine and scrape down the sides a few times.
- Stir in the chips.
- Using about a tablespoon of the mixture at a time, roll into balls.
- Store in the refrigerator until ready to eat.
Notes
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I need to try this!
I love pumpkin spice flavored snacks and drinks this time of year, too. These sound delicious! Thank you for sharing your post at the #HomeMattersParty this week. We hope you’ll join us again when the next party goes live this Friday at 12AM EST.
Fall here in the southwest means you’ve made it through the worst of summer. Sure we’ll still have high temperatures until the middle of October, but the 115 to 120s are done. The haboobs (massive dust storms) are all but a memory, and this summer we’ve had a lot of them to remember. Monsoon season will end by the end of September. People start coming out of their air conditoned homes in the evenings like some apocalyptic scare. And I can start to cook with pumpkin, squash, make chili, etc.
these look delicious! have loved “regular” energy bites but love the idea of fall-ifying them by adding pumpkin! i don’t have a food processor so the pitted dates won’t work out great – any thoughts on substituting? 🙂
I’ve seen some others on Pinterest that use maple syrup and maybe something else to bind them. I’m on my phone right now, but try searching pumpkin energy bites. Maybe the ones from My Whole Food Life.
My Moonbug wants to be a Pirate Fairy this year. I told her she had to wear an eye patch or no deal. Isn’t weird what kids are obsessed with? I mean, straight up obsession. When my son was 2 years old he was obsessed with Pee Wee’s Playhouse, which I watched as a kid. We didn’t have the abundance of kindle games we do now. In fact, I believe my internet was still on dial up. Anyway, these energy bars! I need them in my life. I need a snack full of healthy goodness, pumpkin, and that dose of chocolate. You know, to feel like a bad girl and whatnot.
Haha, I so loved Pee Wee! And I didn’t have internet till I was in high school.