Name: Pumpkin Energy Balls
Prep time: 10 min
Total time: 10 min
Ingredients: ½ cup pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling); 8 pitted medjool dates; ¼ cup old fashioned oats* (for grain free, sub ½ cup blanched almond flour); ½ cup walnuts; ½ cup pecans; ¼ cup ground flax seeds; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 3 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice*; ½ teaspoon sea salt

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Pumpkin Spice Balls to the rescue when you’re craving a cozy fall snack, and you need a pick me up. These pumpkin energy bites are made with just 8 healthy ingredients and ready in under 10 minutes. Plus, they’re delicious, satisfying, won’t weigh you down and are perfect for meal prep.

Pumpkin Spice Balls in a bowl with various crushed nuts and seeds as toppings. There is a spoon of oats and a jar of pecans in the background and some scattered whole nuts, oats, dates and cinnamon sticks in the foreground. — Pumpkin Spice Bliss Balls are the ultimate healthy snack or dessert.

This post was modified from the original which was published October 9, 2018. This post may contain affiliate links. As an amazon associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no additional charge to you.

Cozy pumpkin snacks….we meet again! These no bake pumpkin bites are just what I’m looking for when I’m craving those warm fall spices….and want a healthy pumpkin recipe.

These are perfect for afternoons when I need an energy boost, but don’t want a snack that will weigh me down. You too? Well then, this pumpkin ball recipe will be perfect for you as well.

I keep my pumpkin energy balls in the freezer so I can just grab one…oh, who am I kidding? I meant, grab 2! They’re just so good!

If you’re a big fan of healthy pumpkin recipes you may also want to try my pumpkin muffins, pumpkin bread, pumpkin donuts or my vegan and gluten-free mini pumpkin pies.

Do you have a bit of leftover pumpkin puree from another recipe? Not a problem…pumpkin bliss balls is just the tasty recipe you need to use that up!

Ingredients

PECANS: The healthy fats, fiber and protein from these nuts will help keep you energized and satisfied. Plus,there’s no need to add any oil when you use pecans.
WALNUTS: The most underrated nut. They are packed with omega 3s, healthy fats and have more antioxidants than most other foods. They are good for brain health and may reduce risk of cancer and heart disease.
PUMPKIN: Low in calories and rich in vitamins, mineral and antioxidants. Pumpkin is the perfect vehicle to add moisture for these energy balls to come together without any added oil.
OATS: Promotes healthy bacteria in your gut, helps control blood sugar levels, helps with bowel regularity and provides antioxidants.
GROUND FLAX: Loaded with heart healthy omega 3s, fiber antioxidants and protein.
VANILLA: Just a teaspoon adds so much flavor.
DATES: A natural sweetener that is full of fiber and also acts as a binder in this recipe.
SPICES: Pumpkin pie spices include cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, allspice and cloves. One of the many things that make this easy pumpkin recipe so satisfying.

WHY YOU’LL LOVE THIS RECIPE

White rectangular plate with pumpkin balls that have individually been rolled in crushed nuts or seeds.

No sugar! Naturally sweetened with dates for a low glycemic treat that won’t spike your blood sugar.
Easy to make….I bet you can do it in under 10 minutes.
PANTRY RECIPE: uses just 8 wholesome ingredients you already have.
Perfect for meal prep….you can eat them straight from the freezer, where they’ll stay good for 3 months.
This recipe calls for ½ cup pumpkin puree….exactly the amount you have leftover from a can when you’ve made a recipe that calls for 1 cup.
Made with whole, real foods….naturally vegan and gluten-free so everyone can enjoy it.
VERSATILE: change up the nuts and seeds to use what you have.
PUMPKIN….yeah, it’s cozy in the fall and winter, but you can make these any time of year. Trust me, I do!!
NO BAKE PUMKIN BITES: yeah, you read that right…no bake, no fuss, ready in no time.

Looking for more Healthy Energy Ball Recipes?

How to make Pumpkin Balls

The secret to these amazing pumpkin spice balls is in the spices! It’s easy to make homemade pumpkin pie spice if you don’t have a jar. It’s also quick and inexpensive to make your own.

Spice mixture to make pumpkin pie spice to put into pumpkin balls. — Pumpkin Pie Spices

Small jar with black lid filled with brownish spice with a label on the jar that says, "Pumpkin Pie Spice" — Pumpkin Pie Spices

Pumpkin Pie Spice is a mixture of cinnamon, ground ginger, nutmeg, allspice and ground cloves. It’s easy to mix together and store any extra in a small jar in your pantry.

Add all ingredients for pumpkin balls into the food processor

Dump everything into the bowl of a food processor. Pumpkin, dates, nuts, ground flax, oats, spices and vanilla.

Food processor bowl with pumpkin mixture

Process until everything is well mixed and the dates are chopped up, but leave some texture for a more interesting pumpkin ball. If you over mix, the “dough” will be a bit sticky. That’s OK…just place the food processor bowl directly into the fridge for about 20 minutes before moving on.

Use a small cookie scoop to portion out pumpkin balls.

Scoop out heaping Tablespoons of batter onto a parchment lined tray. You can use a cookie scoop or two teaspoons. Once they’re all portioned out, wet your hands and roll each into a smooth ball. You can then freeze or refrigerate…unless you’re going to coat them in a fun topping…which I HIGHLY recommend.

White plates with pumpkin balls rolled around in crushed nuts to coat. There's a tray on the side, lined with parchment with an assortment of finished pumpkin spice balls with toppings. — Roll pumpkin spice balls in crushed nuts or seeds.

Toppings for Pumpkin Spice Balls

Nuts, seeds, chocolate….the options are limitless. For larger nuts or seeds, coarsely chop or use your spice grinder to crush into small pieces. Small plates or shallow bowls are idea for rolling the pumpkin balls into the nuts/seeds until well coated, then place back on the tray.

Good topping choices include: pumpkin seeds, hemp seeds or sesame seeds. Crushed pecans, walnuts, pistachios or almonds. I also like to have a chocolate option. Raw cacao powder, cacao nibs or chopped dark chocolate all work well. You do you….and let me know in the comments what your favorite toppings are.

Bowl of pumpkin balls that have been rolled in crushed nuts or seeds. Cinnamon stick, dates, pecans and oats are strewn around the bowl.

MEAL PREP AND STORAGE

TO SERVE: I like them cold. Either straight from the fridge or freezer. Perfect with a cup of tea in the afternoon or evening. Awesome as a grab and go breakfast in the morning or an after school snack. Easily eaten in the car on the way to sports practice.
TO PREP AHEAD: Definitely! Make a triple batch (will use exactly one can of pumpkin) and stash in the freezer.
TO STORE: Leave on baking tray and pop into the fridge or freezer until firm. Transfer to an air-tight container in a single layer with parchment in between layers.
TO FREEZE: Flash freeze on a baking tray until firm, then transfer to container so they won’t stick to each other. Be sure to use freezer safe container or zip-top bags. You can eat these straight from the freezer.

Debra’s Pro Tips

Small rimmed plate with crushed pecans and a three pumpkin balls rolling around to coat them in the nuts. There is a tray of pumpkin balls coated with chocolate and a glimpse of a plate with hemp seeds.

If the dough is too sticky to work with, pop it into the freezer for 10 minutes to firm up before rolling into balls.
Wet your hands before rolling into balls so the dough doesn’t stick to your hands.
Roughly chop a bar of dark chocolate into super small pieces (plus a pinch of flakey sea salt) and use to coat some of the pumpkin bites, …my favorite topping.
Use freezer safe containers or bags to avoid freezer burn.
For a grain-free pumpkin ball, substitute almond flour for the rolled oats in double the quantity.
Pulse ingredients in the food processor for a chunky ball, loaded with texture and crunch.

📖 Recipe

Pumpkin Energy Balls

Author: Debra Klein

Pumpkin Spice Energy Balls are loaded with cozy, warm spices and healthy plant based ingredients. You'll love how easy these are to make and how delicious they taste. Perfect with your evening tea, or as an afternoon snack. Keep a stash in your freezer for when the mood strikes.

5 from 47 votes

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Prep Time 10

Total Time 10

Course Snack

Cuisine American

Servings balls

Calories 127 kcal

Equipment

Ingredients

▢ ½ cup pumpkin puree not pumpkin pie filling
▢ 8 pitted medjool dates
▢ ¼ cup old fashioned oats* for grain free, sub ½ cup blanched almond flour
▢ ½ cup walnuts
▢ ½ cup pecans
▢ ¼ cup ground flax seeds
▢ 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
▢ 3 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice*
▢ ½ teaspoon sea salt

Instructions

Place all ingredients in food processor and blend until everything is well mixed, but still has some texture.
If dough is too sticky to work with, place in the refrigerator for 20 minutes before continuing.
Scoop heaping Tablespoons separately onto parchment lined tray. Use a small scoop or two spoons. Wet hands and roll each scoop into a smooth ball.
Roll balls into desired toppings. See below for some suggestions.
Store in the fridge for up to 2 weeks, or the freezer for 2 months.
You can eat them straight from the freezer.

Notes

GRAIN-FREE: Substitute ½ cup almond flour for the rolled oats.

PUMPKIN PIE SPICE: Make your own: 3 Tablespoons cinnamon, 2 teaspoons ginger, 2 teaspoons nutmeg, 1.5 teaspoons allspice, 1.5 teaspoons ground cloves. Store in a lidded jar for up to a year. If you don’t want to make a "whole batch" then measure out 2 teaspoons cinnamon, ½ teaspoon nutmeg, ½ teaspoon ginger, ¼ teaspoon allspice, ¼ teaspoon cloves.

TOPPING SUGGESTIONS:

Crushed pumpkin seeds
Crushed cacao nibs
Crushed pecans
Crushed pistachios
Raw cacao powder.
Hemp seeds
Sesame seeds

Nutrition

Serving: 2ballsCalories: 127kcalCarbohydrates: 16gProtein: 3gFat: 7gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 6gSodium: 90mgFiber: 3gSugar: 11g

Note

The nutrition calculations were done using online tools. To obtain the most accurate representation of the nutritional information in any given recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients you used. You are ultimately responsible for ensuring that any nutritional information is accurate, complete and useful.

Did you make this recipe? Please leave a review below, then snap a picture and tag me @dkhealthcoach or use hashtag #dkhealtcoach on Instagram so I can see it!!

Comments

5 from 47 votes (40 ratings without comment)

Pumpkin Spice Balls

Ingredients

WHY YOU’LL LOVE THIS RECIPE

Looking for more Healthy Energy Ball Recipes?

How to make Pumpkin Balls

Toppings for Pumpkin Spice Balls

MEAL PREP AND STORAGE

Debra’s Pro Tips

📖 Recipe