These Pumpkin Energy Balls are packed with fiber, protein & healthy fats for energy. Freezer-friendly & the perfect addition to a lunch or afternoon snack.
*Originally published 9/2014. Post & photos updated 9/2018*
Hi Friends!
I can’t believe it’s been almost exactly four years since I first shared these Pumpkin Energy Balls. Over the years these have continued to be one of my go-to fall snacks. I stash them in the freezer so I made triple batches of them before both my babies came and will be doing the same for baby 3 here in a few weeks. If you’re looking for healthy pumpkin recipes, look no further!
I tweaked the recipe a little bit this week when I made them again to update the photos and I think I like them even better now! They’re a simple mix of nuts, seeds, pumpkin, oats, dates and spices which means they’re a gluten-free pumpkin recipe packed with fiber, protein and healthy fats – perfect for adding to lunch boxes, serving for an after-school snack, fueling up for a workout etc.
Here’s how you make this easy canned pumpkin recipe:
PrintPumpkin Energy Balls
These Pumpkin Energy Balls are packed with fiber, protein and healthy fats for energy. The perfect addition to a quick lunch or to serve for an afternoon snack.
- Yield: makes 24 balls 1x
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup pepitas (shelled pumpkin seeds)
- 3/4 cup almonds
- 1 cup chopped, pitted dates
- 1/2 cup rolled oats
- 1/4 cup hemp hearts (you could sub a few Tbsp chia seeds)
- 1/2–2/3 cup pumpkin puree
- 1–2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2–1 teaspoon ginger
- 1/2 – 1 teaspoon vanilla
- mini chocolate chips, optional
Instructions
- Put almonds and pepitas in a food processor and process until well ground. Transfer to a bowl.
- Put dates, oats, hemp hearts, cinnamon and ginger in the food processor and process until well chopped.
- Add pumpkin and pulse a few times.
- Add nut and seed mixture and process until well mixed. You may need to use a spoon to help get everything mixed.
- Taste and adjust if needed, adding more pumpkin and/or spices if desired.
- Add mini chocolate chips and pulse a few times to mix.
- Form into balls and freeze on a baking sheet. Transfer to a bag or storage container and store in the freezer.
Notes
I always start on the low end for the ranges of pumpkin and spices. Once mixed, taste and add more if desired.
Mixture will be slightly sticky when forming into balls. Wet your hands lightly or freeze the mixture for a little bit to help with this if you want. Or just press into a pan and cut into bars.
Here’s the original recipe: 1/2 cup pepitas, 1/2 cup sunflower seeds, 1 Tablespoon chia seeds, 1/2 cup almonds, 1/2 cup pumpkin puree, 1 cup chopped & pitted dates, 1/2 cup rolled oats, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon ginger
I almost always make two batches of this recipe whenever I make them, but I typically make a single batch and then just repeat with another instead of trying to double all the ingredients and make a giant batch all at once because I’ve found they don’t mix together as well.
[click_to_tweet tweet=”Try these Pumpkin Energy Balls for a quick afternoon snack and stock your freezer to have them on hand for busy days!” quote=”Try these Pumpkin Energy Balls for a quick afternoon snack and stock your freezer to have them on hand for busy days!”]
Let me know if you try them!
Enjoy!
–Lindsay–
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I love a good pumpkin anything! I usually make at least one kind of energy ball a week. This is perfect for the season.
annnnd I CANNNOT believe it is pumpkin time already 🙂
It’s still a billion degrees in Austin.
But Im in anyway.
I always like the texture that pumpkin adds to anything. These look good for on the go or at work or something. Thanks for sharing Lindsay!
Love the simple ingredient list!
I am loving all things pumpkin right now!
We are on the same wavelength as I made a pumpkin spice energy bar this week. I love that your version uses pumpkin seeds! Great idea!!
you had me at balls! xoxo
hahaha love the sense of humor so early in the AM… much needed =)
I cannot get enough pumpkin these days. Trying them tonight!
WANT!
Delicious! I want to start making some energy bite recipes like this and putting them in the freezer as an easy snack for when the babies arrive!
Delish! We eat a type of energy bite a lot and it definitely needs a fall makeover. Pinned!
Oh, I’m getting so excited about all the pumpkin recipes coming out now that fall is here! These look amazing, I’ll have to make them.
Yum! these sound so great. I haven’t made much with pumpkin yet this season, but am adding these to the list!
Just pinned so I can make soon!
Love the ingredients in here! I just made pumpkin muffins and have leftover pumpkin so this would be a perfect way to use it up.
I just made Pumpkin Cinnamon Gingerbread bites yesterday. Yours sound better than mine!
I love seeing vegan snacks with pumpkin. Thanks for sharing! 🙂
These look yummy! I love pumpkin. Thanks for sharing!
YUM!! this flavor combo sounds fantastic. pinning!
These look amazing! going on my must-make-list for this week!
YUM! Perfect in time for fall 🙂 I like that they include dates, I recently tried them for the first time and they’re a new favorite!
I think you need to bring back all your older recipes….you have so many stunners in the archives!
Looks delicious!
Hurray! They’re vegan! Definitely going to try these.
★★★★★
Yum! I’m really craving pumpkin everything right now. Love that these are sweetened naturally- my favorite types of indulgences!
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YUM! I’m always looking for a healthy snack, but you added pumpkin!! I will have to try this for sure, I pinned for future reference. Thanks for sharing.
XOXO
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Perfect timing! A friend just dropped off a few dozen Japanese yams aand i was looking for new ideas! I live on date nut balls, so this is an easy tweak up! (An ingredient idea: I buy orange blossom water from the middle eastern market, and i often add a splash of that).
Pinning this right now. These look insanely delicious (plus, I love anything with pumpkin this time of year). Thanks for sharing–stopping in from SITS Sharefest today and hope you’re enjoying the weekend 🙂
I must try this recipe it looks yummy!
I made them and liked them. The dates add just the right amount of sweetness. Thanks for the healthy recipe!
so glad you liked them!
These look awesome! Thanks for sharing!
Do you think these are firm enough to hold up in a lunch box?
I think so…if you put them in from frozen in the morning.
Just made them and popped them in the freezer…love the ingredients. Has anyone tried warming them up before eating? If so, how did you do it and did it improve the taste? Thanks!
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what is the breakdown of these? Calories, fat, protein, fiber, carbs?
i don’t have that info but you could plug the recipe into my fitness pal to find out!
These may be my first pumpkin snack of the fall season (though it’s hard to believe it’s almost fall when it’s 95 degrees outside at 9:00 pm 🙁
I have made them and they are perfectly fall!
Lindsay,
Great Pumpkin Energy Ball. I froze some. Just had one from the
microwave for 15 sec …. taste like I just made them. Thanks
Do you have the nutrition info on these ? I just don’t have much
luck with the online nutrition programs. They are very picky about
the ingredients.
Thanks much,
Dave
I don’t, sorry! But glad you enjoyed them!
These look great Lindsay! Any ideas what i could sub our for the almonds (nut free) and oats?
you could try more pumpkin seeds and some sunflower seeds and add some more hemp and chia. Not sure about the oats though.