Healthy Pumpkin Energy Bites are a delicious, wholesome treat that tastes just like pumpkin pie! This no-bake recipe is easy to make with oats, pumpkin, maple syrup, vanilla, ground flaxseed, chia seeds, cinnamon, warm spices, peanut butter and chocolate chips. Enjoy a quick on-the-go snack or breakfast all season long!
You may also love my pumpkin cream cold brew or my healthy pumpkin muffins.
Pumpkin Pie Energy Bites are a nutritious, sweet bite that tastes like a cross between a slice of pumpkin pie and a doughy soft pumpkin cookie. These pumpkin snack balls only take about 10 minutes to make and they are packed with rolled oats, real pumpkin puree, cozy pumpkin pie spices, creamy peanut butter (or any nut butter), and they’re naturally sweetened with a little pure maple syrup or honey.
Energy bites make such a great snack! They’re quick & easy to make, there are tons of flavor options and they can be stored in the freezer for a quick bite anytime. Some of our other favorite flavors are Carrot Cake Bites, Oatmeal Cookie Dough Bites, and Brownie Protein Bites.
Summary
- Packed with flavor: The combination of real pumpkin puree and pumpkin pie spice brings out that incredible cozy flavor we all love this time of year!
- Quick & easy to make: No need for a blender or mixer, all of the ingredients get stirred together in a bowl and then rolled into balls. They’re ready for munching in just about 10 minutes! No baking is required!
- Great for meal prep: These keep for one week in the fridge or store them in the freezer for up to 3 months. You’ll have a portable, ready-to-go snack at a moment’s notice.
- Customizable: You can easily switch up the ingredients and experiment with different mix-ins to create new flavors and use what you have available.
Ingredients needed
This pumpkin oats energy bites recipe is made with a handful of simple, nourishing ingredients. Even though they’re good for you, they taste like pumpkin cookie dough with an irresistible texture. Here’s a note on everything you’ll need:
- Rolled oats: Use old-fashioned rolled oats and not quick oats or steel-cut oats for the base of the bites. Use gluten-free oats as needed.
- Pumpkin puree: I am mixing in 1/4 cup canned or homemade pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling) for delicious warm, fall flavor. Use any leftover pumpkin you have to make healthy pumpkin pancakes or pumpkin oatmeal!
- Sweetener: Just 1/4 cup of pure maple syrup or honey adds the perfect amount of sweetness.
- Flavorings: Pure vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, and pumpkin pie spice give these bites warmth and coziness!
- Seeds: A mix of ground flaxseed and chia seeds adds a nutritious boost of protein, healthy fats, and fiber.
- Peanut butter: Creamy all-natural peanut butter helps to bind all of the ingredients together and adds healthy fats. Sub with almond butter or cashew butter, as desired.
- Mini chocolate chips: I like to use dark chocolate chips for extra antioxidants, but you can use any type of chocolate chips you’d like. Mini chocolate chips disperse best throughout the bites.
How to make pumpkin pie bites
In just a few minutes, you can have pumpkin pie energy bites ready to go for snacking! No need to worry about a food processor or blender to blend dates! Here’s how to make them:
- Mix dry ingredients: In a large bowl, add the oats, chia seeds, flaxseed, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves. Mix to combine.
- Stir in wet ingredients: Into another bowl, add the peanut butter, maple syrup or honey, pumpkin puree, and vanilla extract. Using a spoon or spatula, mix until smooth. Then pour the oat mixture over it and mix well until they are well combined.
- Add chocolate chips: Fold in the mini chocolate chips. And mix again to combine.
- Roll balls: Using a scooper, roll into balls and make 12-14 bite-sized bites.
- Enjoy or store for later: Place the pumpkin energy bites into an airtight container and store in the fridge for up to one week or 3 months in the freezer.
Tips & variations
- Nut butter: Instead of peanut butter, feel free to use almond butter or cashew butter. To make these nut-free, use sunflower seed butter. If you’d like these bites to have extra crunch, consider using crunchy peanut butter.
- Vegan option: Naturally vegan as long as you use pure maple syrup, not honey, and also use dairy-free chocolate chips.
- Gluten-free option: These are naturally gluten-free, but to be sure, use rolled oats that are certified gluten-free.
- Extra mix-ins: Feel free to omit the chocolate chips and use a different favorite add-in, like raisins or dried cranberries.
Frequently asked questions
These pumpkin energy balls have a satisfying combination of protein, complex carbs, healthy fats, and fiber. Each ball has about 160 calories depending on the size you make. They have 9 grams of fat per ball, which is quite a bit, but all of the fats in these bites are good for you and will keep you fueled.
Energy balls should be eaten in moderation. Depending on size, we recommend no more than about two per day to give you a boost of energy.
This recipe for energy bites uses nutritious ingredients and has a good balance of protein, complex carbs, and healthy fats. Each bite is satisfying and around 160 calories. These are great to make ahead and portable, so they are a healthy snack to easily grab on the go.
Storage recommendations
- In the fridge: Pumpkin bites will keep fresh for one week stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
- In the freezer: Place snack balls in a freezer-safe container or bag, and freeze for up to 3 months. If they get too hard, let them sit at room temperature for 5-10 minutes before eating.
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In a large bowl add the oats, chia seeds, flaxseed, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves. Mix to combine.
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Into another bowl, add the peanut butter, maple syrup or honey, pumpkin puree, and vanilla extract. Using a spoon or spatula, mix until smooth. Then pour the oat mixture over it and mix well until they are well combined.
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Fold in the mini chocolate chips. And mix again to combine.
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Using a scooper, roll into balls and make 12-14 bite-sized bites.
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Place the pumpkin energy bites into and airtight container and store in the fridge for up to one week.
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- Storing in the fridge: Pumpkin bites will be kept fresh for one week and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
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- Storing in the freezer: Place snack balls in a freezer-safe container or bag, and freeze for up to 3 months. If they get too hard, let them sit at room temperature for 5-10 minutes before eating.
Serving: 1ballCalories: 161kcalCarbohydrates: 17gProtein: 5gFat: 9gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0.002gCholesterol: 0.04mgSodium: 53mgPotassium: 174mgFiber: 3gSugar: 7gVitamin A: 796IUVitamin C: 0.3mgCalcium: 47mgIron: 1mg
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
