This is a variation of our energy bites base recipe. Pumpkin energy bites are a great snack any time of day and any time of year. Pack a few in your backpack, diaper bag, or gym bag so that you can have a delicious, nutritious snack wherever you go!
Must-Know Cooking Skills
For recipe success, learn how to:
Culinary Tips for Pumpkin Pie Energy Balls
Soaking the oats in boiling water and pumpkin first makes each pumpkin seed energy ball taste like a little bite of oatmeal. This also creates a different taste and texture than other energy bite recipes that use nut butter as the primary binding agent. Additionally, using water as the binding agent keeps the calorie content of this recipe much lower than other oat ball recipes.
If the almond butter is too hard to mix in, microwave it for 30 seconds to make it easier to stir.
Mixture too sticky? Add more oats ¼ cup at a time. If the mixture is too dry, add more hot water, 1 Tablespoon at a time.
Don’t worry about overmixing the “dough”; it won’t affect the final texture!
Got kids? Pumpkin spice energy bites are very kid-friendly! Have them help you measure, mix, and roll. The ingredients in this recipe can be eaten while cooking (because we all know that kids love to “taste test”), rolling is a great way to practice fine motor skills, and kids love getting their hands dirty!
Ingredient Substitutions
- Pumpkin Spice: substitute cinnamon or apple pie spice, or make your own pumpkin spice blend!
- Oats: use old-fashioned or quick oats. Quick oats create a squishier texture and will be stickier when rolling. Do not use steel cut oats.
- Almond Butter: substitute any nut butter. Choose natural varieties whenever possible. Got a nut allergy? Use a seed butter such as sunflower butter.
- Maple Syrup: substitute honey or agave nectar.
- Mini Chocolate Chips: use any variety you like – white, semi-sweet, or dark. We recommend dark chocolate for optimal nutrition. Regular size works too, but you get less chocolate in each bite!
- Pumpkin Seeds: substitute sunflower seeds or chopped, toasted almonds.
We love buying our spices from The Spice House. Click on the picture below to view & try out hundreds of flavorful spices and herbs!
Recipe Variations
Feel free to add other mix-ins: chia seeds, ground flax seeds, coconut flakes, etc. Keep in mind that adding more ingredients will change the texture of the recipe, so you may have to add more water or almond butter to help the ingredients stick together.
Short on time or patience? You can turn this into a super quick energy bites recipe by skipping refrigerating the mixture. It will be slightly stickier, so be prepared to wash your hands a few more times.
Need some energy bites recipe inspiration?
Use our base recipe as a guide to make it your own, or check out some of our favorite energy ball variations!
Equipment Recommendations for No Bake Pumpkin Energy Bites
You just need a few pieces of essential kitchen equipment for this simple recipe:
Are Pumpkin Seed Energy Balls a Healthy Snack?
Yes! A healthy, well-balanced snack should contain some form of fiber, protein, and healthy fat. The oats, almond butter, pumpkin seeds, and pumpkin puree are the key ingredients that make these pumpkin oat energy balls the perfect snack.
Oats
Oats provide complex carbohydrates that provide the brain with steady energy. (1) These complex carbohydrates also contain fiber which promote digestion, satiety, stable blood sugar, good cholesterol, and healthy gut bacteria. (2)
Almond Butter & Pumpkin Seeds
Almond butter and pumpkin seeds contain plant-based protein and healthy monounsaturated fats which are good for heart health. These nutrients help you feel satisfied until your next meal.
Pumpkin Puree
Pumpkin is a great source of beta carotene, fiber, and potassium. These nutrients promote immune function, gut health, good cholesterol, and normal blood pressure. Be sure to purchase pure pumpkin puree and not canned pumpkin pie filling, as this contains added sugar.
Serving Suggestions
Pumpkin pie energy bites are great any time of day – breakfast, lunch, snack, or dessert! Pair with a healthy smoothie for an easy on-the-go breakfast, or eat a few after a workout to help refuel your muscles.
How to Store Pumpkin Oatmeal Energy Bites
No-bake pumpkin energy bites are a great on-the-go snack because they do not have to be cold to eat. However, for food safety reasons, avoid leaving them in your bag or purse all day (4 hours max).
For optimal freshness, store energy bites in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week. You can also store them in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Do you love oats as much as we do?
Check out these other delicious oat recipes!
Pumpkin Energy Bites with Chocolate Chips
Ingredients
- ¼ cup boiling water
- ¼ cup pumpkin puree
- ½ teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
- ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 ½ cups old fashioned oats
- ¼ cup almond butter
- 2 Tablespoons maple syrup
- ¼ cup mini dark chocolate chips
- ¼ cup toasted pumpkin seeds
Instructions
- Mix boiling water, pumpkin puree, pumpkin spice, and vanilla extract in a medium bowl. Add oats to the mixture. Mix until all the water is absorbed.
- Add the almond butter, maple syrup, chocolate chips, and pumpkin seeds and mix until well incorporated.
- Cover and refrigerate mixture for 30 minutes.
- Roll into one-inch balls. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week. Enjoy!
