Easy No-Bake Pumpkin Energy Balls
I was on a walk the other day. As I walked over some leaves on the ground, it hit me… the smell of Fall! That smell brings me back to jumping in leaf piles, going to the apple orchard, and trick or treating with pillow cases. Keep your energy up for all these fun Fall activities. Make these Easy No-Bake Pumpkin Energy Balls for a tasty treat.
If you like this energy ball, you’ll love my Double Chocolate Cherry one too.
Pumpkin Does a Body Good
That rich orange color of pumpkin meat is a tall tell sign that it’s rich in the good stuff, beta-carotene as well as much more. According Healthline.com, pumpkin is a super food:
- Rich in beta-carotene which turns into Vitamin A
- Contains antioxidants to help protect your cells from free radicals
- High in Vitamins A, C, & E which helps your immunity
- Packed with nutrients, low in calories, & high in fiber
- “Pumpkin is high in beta-carotene, which acts as a natural sunblock.”
Now, just pair pumpkin with oats, nut butter, and a handful of other ingredients and you will have Pumpkin Energy Balls that will be your favorite go to Fall ball.
If you like pumpkin recipes, you’ll love Creamy Pumpkin Pie Bars.
Pumpkin Energy Balls are Easy
These are the easiest thing you will make this week. It’s as simple as dumping all the ingredients into a bowl, mixing, and rolling into balls. Viola! Put whatever sounds good to you in these gems. Here’s what I like:
- Pumpkin
- Oats
- Maple Syrup or Honey
- Almond Butter or other Nut Butter
- Dried Cranberries
- Pecans, Pumpkin Seeds, or Almonds
- Chia Seeds
- Flax Seed
- Cocoa Nibs or Mini Chocolate Chips
- Pumpkin Pie Spice
- Vanilla
- Pinch of Salt
If you like these energy balls, you and your kids will love my Peanut Butter Energy Balls recipe. These are my kid’s favorite.
If you like this Fall flavor recipe, you will love my Spiced Apple Muffin recipe and Apple Cinnamon Energy Balls made with fresh apples.
What if I Don’t Have Pumpkin Spice?
All pumpkin spice is, is a blend of cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, and ginger. If you don’t have it, make it! Pumpkin Spice is 4 parts cinnamon, 1 part ginger, 1 part nutmeg, and 1/2 part clove. Make a bigger batch and use in:
- pumpkin pie
- a sprinkle in your coffee
- a sprinkle in your smoothie
- on your oatmeal
- AND if you are a total Martha: take a pie pumpkin,cut the top, scoop out the guts, drill holes in the pumpkin, and sprinkle pumpkin pie spice on the inside part of the pumpkin top. Place a candle inside*, and put around your house for a lovely fragrance, and beautiful decoration. (*Don’t leave candles unattended)
If you don’t have all those ingredients to make pumpkin pie spice, just use cinnamon. It will still turn out delightful.
What to Do with the Left Over Pumpkin?
You have plenty of options here. You can freeze for a later date. Or work that pumpkin into:
- Smoothie: put a few spoonfuls into your next smoothie with some pumpkin pie spice, banana, and vanilla protein powder
- Dog Treat: YES! Your pooch will love pumpkin, and it’s so good for them. Put a spoonful over their food, or just a few spoonfuls in the bowl for a treat
- Soup: this works great in just about any soup, just stir it in
- Pancakes: make some pumpkin pancakes, add chocolate chips, your kids, nieces & nephews will think you’re the best
- Overnight Oats: throw a spoonful of pumpkin into your next jar, add pumpkin pie spice and pecans
What’s the Easiest Way to Roll the Pumpkin Energy Balls?
Once the mix is ready to roll, I like to use a cookie scoop. I have a smaller one that works great. I use the scoop to portion out, then roll into a ball. This also helps make them close to the same size.
What do you make the Pumpkin Energy Balls for?
Everything! Yes, just about everything. My kids love them, as do I. It’s a nutritious snack for road trips, sporting events, picnics, potlucks, hikes…you name it. These things are so easy, you will make them for everything too. The kids also like this recipe for Peanut Butter Energy Balls.
Do the Pumpkin Energy Balls Need Refrigeration?
Yes! Be sure to refrigerate the balls once done. Place in container with lid or zip top bag. They will stay fresh in the fridge for up to 5 days.
Can Pumpkin Energy Balls be Frozen?
Yes! These freeze up great. I like to make a big batch and freeze half in a freezer safe zip top bag or lidded container. Less work later!
What Song Should I Play While Making the Balls?
Why not have a play list while making these Fall favorites? Here are a few of my top Fall tunes:
- Dead Leaves and the Dirty Ground: The White Stripes
- Autumn Sweater: Yo La Tengo
- Autumn Almanac: The Kinks
- Harvest Moon: Neil Young
- Autumn Town Leaves: Iron and Wine
- Gone til November: Wyclef Jean
Thanks for reading along. I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as we do. If you would like more healthy recipes like this one sent right to your inbox, sign up for my Recipe Drops. They’re always FREE.
No-Bake Pumpkin Energy Balls
Ingredients
- 1-1/2 cups Quick Oats
- 1/4 cup Pumpkin canned, plain
- 1/3 cup Almond Butter or other nut butter
- 1/4 cup Maple Syrup or Honey
- 1/4 cup Dried Cranberries
- 1/4 cup Pecans chopped, or other nuts
- 1-1/2 tsp Pumpkin Spice or 1 tsp Cinnamon & 1/2 tsp Ginger
- 1 tsp Pure Vanilla Extract
- Pinch of Salt
Instructions
- In a large bowl, whisk together pumpkin, almond butter, and maple syrup.
- Once incorporated, stir in the rest of the ingredients.
- Roll into balls and enjoy!
Comments
I make energy balls of different ingredients alot. These pumpkin energy balls are to die for! Especially now during the fall season.
Thanks Lois! So glad you enjoy them.
These are an AMAZING fall treat!
Thanks Kristen!