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Pumpkin Energy Balls

November 19, 2021 by Lindsay 61 Comments

These Pumpkin Energy Balls are packed with fiber, protein & healthy fats for energy. Freezer-friendly & the perfect addition to a lunch or afternoon snack.

Pumpkin Energy Balls

*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.

Pumpkin Energy Balls made with dates, almonds and pepitas

Here’s how you make this easy canned pumpkin recipe:

Print

Pumpkin Energy Balls

pumpkin energy balls
Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.4 from 5 reviews

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.

  • Author: Lindsay
  • Yield: makes 24 balls 1x

Ingredients

Scale
  • 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

  1. Put almonds and pepitas in a food processor and process until well ground. Transfer to a bowl.
  2. Put dates, oats, hemp hearts, cinnamon and ginger in the food processor and process until well chopped.
  3. Add pumpkin and pulse a few times.
  4. Add nut and seed mixture and process until well mixed. You may need to use a spoon to help get everything mixed.
  5. Taste and adjust if needed, adding more pumpkin and/or spices if desired.
  6. Add mini chocolate chips and pulse a few times to mix.
  7. 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

Did you make this recipe?

Tag @theleangreenbean on Instagram

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.

 

These Pumpkin Energy Balls are packed with fiber, protein & healthy fats for energy. Freezer-friendly & the perfect addition to a lunch or afternoon snack.

[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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Filed Under: Snack Tagged With: Chocolate Chips, Dates, Hemp Seed, Oats, Pepitas, Pumpkin

About Lindsay

Lindsay Livingston is a Registered Dietitian and new mom from Columbus, Ohio. On her blog, she shares simple, healthy recipes, nutrition tips, workouts and snapshots of her life. Follow her on Twitter @LeanGrnBeanBlog and Instagram @TheLeanGreenBean and be sure to subscribe via RSS or email so you never miss a post!

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Angela @ Happy Fit Mama says

    September 26, 2014 at 6:09 AM

    I love a good pumpkin anything! I usually make at least one kind of energy ball a week. This is perfect for the season.

    Reply
    • CARLA says

      September 10, 2015 at 4:58 AM

      annnnd I CANNNOT believe it is pumpkin time already 🙂
      It’s still a billion degrees in Austin.
      But Im in anyway.

      Reply
  2. Hollie says

    September 26, 2014 at 6:19 AM

    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!

    Reply
  3. Kierston says

    September 26, 2014 at 6:31 AM

    Love the simple ingredient list!

    Reply
  4. Brittany @ Delights and Delectables says

    September 26, 2014 at 7:03 AM

    I am loving all things pumpkin right now!

    Reply
  5. Maryea {happy healthy mama} says

    September 26, 2014 at 7:12 AM

    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!!

    Reply
  6. lindsay says

    September 26, 2014 at 7:13 AM

    you had me at balls! xoxo

    Reply
    • Amanda @ Slimplify Life says

      September 26, 2014 at 7:20 AM

      hahaha love the sense of humor so early in the AM… much needed =)

      Reply
  7. Amanda @ Slimplify Life says

    September 26, 2014 at 7:20 AM

    I cannot get enough pumpkin these days. Trying them tonight!

    Reply
  8. Linz @ Itz Linz says

    September 26, 2014 at 7:53 AM

    WANT!

    Reply
  9. Holly @ EatGreatBEGreat says

    September 26, 2014 at 8:31 AM

    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!

    Reply
  10. Marjory @ Dinner-Mom says

    September 26, 2014 at 8:35 AM

    Delish! We eat a type of energy bite a lot and it definitely needs a fall makeover. Pinned!

    Reply
  11. Mia @ WeightLossNewsletter says

    September 26, 2014 at 11:10 AM

    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.

    Reply
  12. Rachel says

    September 26, 2014 at 12:10 PM

    Yum! these sound so great. I haven’t made much with pumpkin yet this season, but am adding these to the list!

    Reply
  13. Nicole says

    September 26, 2014 at 12:56 PM

    Just pinned so I can make soon!

    Reply
  14. Laura @ Mommy Run Fast says

    September 26, 2014 at 1:18 PM

    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.

    Reply
  15. Megan @ Skinny Fitalicious says

    September 26, 2014 at 1:30 PM

    I just made Pumpkin Cinnamon Gingerbread bites yesterday. Yours sound better than mine!

    Reply
  16. Hannah @ CleanEatingVeggieGirl says

    September 26, 2014 at 1:46 PM

    I love seeing vegan snacks with pumpkin. Thanks for sharing! 🙂

    Reply
  17. Lauren @ The Bikini Experiment says

    September 26, 2014 at 2:06 PM

    These look yummy! I love pumpkin. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  18. jobo says

    September 26, 2014 at 2:51 PM

    YUM!! this flavor combo sounds fantastic. pinning!

    Reply
  19. Sarah @RunFarGirl says

    September 26, 2014 at 3:40 PM

    These look amazing! going on my must-make-list for this week!

    Reply
  20. Emily @ Zen & Spice says

    September 26, 2014 at 4:47 PM

    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!

    Reply
  21. Arman @ thebigmansworld says

    September 26, 2014 at 7:21 PM

    I think you need to bring back all your older recipes….you have so many stunners in the archives!

    Reply
  22. Matt @ Runner Savvy says

    September 26, 2014 at 8:12 PM

    Looks delicious!

    Reply
  23. Debbie @ Live from La Quinta says

    September 26, 2014 at 9:32 PM

    Hurray! They’re vegan! Definitely going to try these.

    ★★★★★

    Reply
  24. Michelle @ Vitamin Sunshine says

    September 27, 2014 at 6:15 AM

    Yum! I’m really craving pumpkin everything right now. Love that these are sweetened naturally- my favorite types of indulgences!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
  25. Mrs. AOK says

    September 27, 2014 at 7:30 AM

    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

    ★★★★★

    Reply
  26. Dan says

    September 27, 2014 at 11:41 AM

    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).

    Reply
  27. Charlotte says

    September 27, 2014 at 11:43 AM

    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 🙂

    Reply
  28. Mirza Sendic says

    September 28, 2014 at 11:04 PM

    I must try this recipe it looks yummy!

    Reply
  29. [email protected] says

    September 29, 2014 at 11:20 AM

    I made them and liked them. The dates add just the right amount of sweetness. Thanks for the healthy recipe!

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      October 1, 2014 at 1:36 PM

      so glad you liked them!

      Reply
  30. Chelsea says

    September 29, 2014 at 1:00 PM

    These look awesome! Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  31. aneelee says

    October 10, 2014 at 7:16 AM

    Do you think these are firm enough to hold up in a lunch box?

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      October 10, 2014 at 9:39 PM

      I think so…if you put them in from frozen in the morning.

      Reply
  32. Brittany says

    October 31, 2014 at 11:23 AM

    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!

    ★★★

    Reply
  33. Susan says

    March 2, 2015 at 10:25 AM

    what is the breakdown of these? Calories, fat, protein, fiber, carbs?

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      March 2, 2015 at 10:48 AM

      i don’t have that info but you could plug the recipe into my fitness pal to find out!

      Reply
  34. Debbie @ Coach Debbie Runs says

    September 9, 2015 at 12:10 AM

    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 🙁

    Reply
  35. Angela @ happy fit mama says

    September 9, 2015 at 5:25 AM

    I have made them and they are perfectly fall!

    Reply
  36. David Grindel says

    March 30, 2017 at 1:20 PM

    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

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      March 30, 2017 at 1:48 PM

      I don’t, sorry! But glad you enjoyed them!

      Reply
  37. Rachel mcclellan says

    September 21, 2018 at 10:19 AM

    These look great Lindsay! Any ideas what i could sub our for the almonds (nut free) and oats?

    Reply
    • Lindsay says

      September 23, 2018 at 7:50 PM

      you could try more pumpkin seeds and some sunflower seeds and add some more hemp and chia. Not sure about the oats though.

      Reply

Trackbacks

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Lindsay Livingston The Lean Green Bean Healthy Living Tips and Tricks

I'm a Registered Dietitian and mom of three from Columbus, Ohio. I use this blog to share simple, healthy recipes, nutrition tips, and an honest glimpse of motherhood!

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