No Bake Pumpkin Energy Balls
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Pumpkin energy balls are the perfect treat when you are looking for something nutritious to snack on.
Loaded with oats, real pumpkin, nut butter, chia seeds, and a bit of sweetener, these energy balls are the perfect snack, packed full of wholesome goodness. No need to feel guilty about eating a few of these!
Pumpkin Energy Balls
Pumpkin energy balls are the ideal snack to have in the fridge. Made with all-natural, wholesome ingredients, you’ll feel good about serving them. Make a batch to send in school lunches or take them along to the soccer field when you are on snack duty.
Why Make These Pumpkin Energy Balls
- They are delicious!
- Easy and simple to make.
- Portable and nutritious snack.
- Customizable.
- No need to turn on the oven
No Bake Pumpkin Energy Balls Ingredients + Tips
(Ingredients at a glance, find the full recipe in the printable card at the bottom of the post.)
- Rolled oats | I used old-fashioned oats. Do not use instant or steel-cut oats. If you want to make these gluten-free, buy certified gluten-free oats. Though gluten-free by nature, some oats are processed on the same machinery as non-gluten-free grains, rendering them unsuitable for gluten-free diets.
- Nut butter | Make sure to use a no-sugar-added creamy nut butter. You can use peanut, almond, or sun butter. You could use a seed butter like sunflower or pumpkin if there is a nut allergy.
- Pumpkin puree | Be sure to get regular pumpkin puree, not pumpkin pie filling. The latter has pie spices added and will make the energy balls overpowering.
- Chia seeds | If chia seeds aren’t your thing, you can leave them out or use flax or hemp seeds instead.
- Sweetener | Feel free to use honey or maple syrup. While both maple syrup and honey are delicious in this recipe, consider using local honey to support local bee farmers. Some research shows that honey may also be beneficial for fighting seasonal allergies! However, maple syrup is the way to go if you want to keep this recipe vegan. Give the dough a taste before you roll the energy balls; maybe you don’t need to sweeten them up.
- Vanilla extract | Real vanilla is my choice, but if you have imitation vanilla on hand, feel free to use it.
- Spices | I used a combination of ground cinnamon, ginger, and cloves to get that pumpkin pie taste.
- Chocolate chips | I used dark chocolate chips, but you could also use semi-sweet. Dark chocolate is high in antioxidants and is considered an anti-inflammatory. It is believed to help reduce the risk of diabetes and may even reduce blood pressure! To ensure these energy balls are vegan, opt for dark chocolate and read the label carefully to ensure no milk ingredients.
- Additional mix-ins | Add ¼ cup of ground flax seeds or chopped nuts for an added nutritional boost. Or a scoop or two of protein powder for extra protein – keep in mind you may need to slightly increase the nut butter to compensate for the protein powder. (This is my favorite tasting vanilla protein powder – I add it to everything. They also have a vegan version, but I haven’t tasted it.)
How To Make Pumpkin Energy Balls
1 Place all ingredients in a large bowl and mix well.
2 Use a 2-tablespoon cookie scoop to portion the mixture into balls.
3 Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes until firm.
Recipe Tips For No Bake Energy Balls
- Store leftover pumpkin puree in the freezer to use in another recipe.
- Keep chopped nuts and seeds on hand so they are ready to use.
- Use a small ice cream scoop to portion the dough.
Recipe Variations
- Add chopped nuts or seeds to the pumpkin dough.
- Add a scoop or two of protein powder.
- Throw in a pinch of cayenne pepper to add some spice.
- Coat the pumpkin energy balls in cocoa.
- Mix in dried coconut shreds or roll the balls in coconut.
How to store pumpkin energy balls
Place the energy balls in an airtight container and store them in the fridge for up to two weeks. You can also freeze them for up to three months.
FAQs
How do I store energy balls?
Refrigerate the energy balls in an airtight container. They will keep for two weeks in the refrigerator or up to 3 months in the freezer.
Why is the dough so sticky?
Nut butters have varying amounts of oil in them. Freshly opened jars of nut butter are usually more viscous than nut butters that have been in the fridge for some time as the oil in the jar rises to the top. If you are using a fresh jar of nut butter, you may have an energy ball that is too sticky due to this oil. Add an additional tablespoon or two of oats to reduce the oil in the dough so that you can shape them into balls easier.
Why are my energy balls not sticking together?
If your nut butter has been sitting in the fridge for a few weeks, it may be a bit dry. Not to worry; this is normal, but without the extra oil, the balls may not stick together. If you find this happening, you can add a tablespoon or two of water, more honey, or more nut butter, which will help bind the ingredients.
Can I use fresh pumpkin to make these energy balls?
Yes, technically, fresh pumpkin will work if you cook it and then puree it. Fresh pumpkin and canned pumpkin don’t taste exactly the same, so I suggest you use canned and make your life easier.
Why are they called energy balls?
These no-bake balls are called energy balls because they are made with healthy, non-ultra-processed complex carbohydrates that give our bodies energy. They’re not super heavy, so they make a great pre-workout snack. (Don’t forget you can add some protein powder for the extra protein boost women need before a strength training session.)
If you love energy bars as much as I do, try these No Bake Peanut Butter and Oatmeal Bars.
Pin this recipe for later
Other no-bake recipes:
- No Bake Peanut Butter Bars
- No Bake Peanut Butter Cheerios Treats
- 3 Ingredient Peanut Butter Dip
- The Best Cream Cheese Fruit Dip
Tried these Pumpkin Energy Balls?
Please leave a star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating and/or a review in the comments section below. If you share an image on Instagram or Facebook, be sure to tag me and use #scatteredmomrecipes!
Print
No Bake Pumpkin Energy Balls
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 min to chill
- Total Time: 45 min
- Yield: 2 dozen 1x
- Category: snacks
- Method: no bake
Description
These Easy, No Bake Pumpkin Energy Balls only take A few minutes to make and are the perfect healthy treat for fall. Your family will love them!
Ingredients
- 2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
- ½ cup no-sugar-added natural creamy nut butter (peanut, almond, sunbutter)
- ½ cup pumpkin puree
- 2 tablespoons chia seeds
- ¼ – ½ cup honey or maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
- ½ cup dark chocolate chips
Instructions
- Place all ingredients in a large bowl and mix well.
- Use a 2-tablespoon cookie scoop to portion the mixture into balls.
- Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, until firm.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/24 of recipe
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