Pumpkin Energy Balls

These pumpkin energy balls are packed with protein and loaded with pumpkin puree, mini chocolate chips, oats, and your favorite fall spices to create a deliciously indulgent (yet healthy!) treat!

If you’re looking to stay on track with healthy eating this fall but deep inside you’re hardcore craving pumpkin chocolate chip cookies, just know, these pumpkin energy balls taste *just* like my cookie recipe, minus all the sugar and calories. And since you’ll be on the energy balls kick once you try this recipe, be sure to check out my no bake energy bites, snickerdoodle protein balls and my chocolate peanut butter protein balls!

Why This Recipe Works

• A healthy snack that also satisfies your sweet tooth. This recipe is perfect for when you want to make dessert but also want to stick to your guns and not indulge. These pumpkin energy bites are perfect for that because they taste sweet yet are packed with things your body will appreciate!
• A favorite fall treat. When I got on the energy bite/protein ball bandwagon, I tried everything from original to peanut butter and oatmeal raisin protein balls to almond joy bites and new the fall would need its own. Pumpkin puree energy balls were just the thing. These are perfect for the fall and taste just like pumpkin cookies in energy ball form.
• Full of flavor and great texture. While these pumpkin energy balls definitely bring the fall cookie flavor, the texture is amazing. The oats and pumpkin puree create a creamy, chewy energy ball texture.
• No bake pumpkin energy balls. Nothing beats making a quick treat — that is also healthy — in a matter of minutes and not having to even bake a thing!

Ingredients

• Old Fashioned Oats: These give a better texture than if you were to use instant oats. Instant oats will get softer quicker.
• Pumpkin Puree: Any brand will do. Be sure it’s the puree and not the pumpkin pie filling.
• Kodiak Cakes Mix: if you don’t have this, or don’t have access to it, you can replace the kodiak cakes mix with ground flax seed or more old fashioned oats. I love their mixes because they have a lot of protein in 1 serving.
• Honey: The honey adds a healthy sweetness to the energy balls.
• Almond Butter: This provides not only flavor but also adds protein and acts as a binding agent to hold the ball shape.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Add all the ingredients to a medium sized bowl.

2. Stir the ingredients together until they’re fully combined.

3. Portion the “dough” into 1 to 1 1/2 inch balls and place them on a baking sheet. Chill them in the fridge or freezer for 15-20 minutes.
4. Once chilled, store them in an airtight container in the fridge or freezer. They’ll keep in the fridge for 7-8 days or in the freezer for up to 2 months.

Expert Tips

If the “dough” is too sticky as you’re stirring the ingredients together, you have several options:

• You can place the dough in the fridge prior to rolling them into individual balls. This will help remove the sticky factor.
• Or, you can add a tablespoon of the old fashioned oats or Kodiak cakes to the bowl. Stir it until incorporated.

You could also line a pan with parchment paper and press the dough into it, chill, then cut into squares.

FAQs

More Pumpkin Recipes

• Pumpkin Cookies
• Pumpkin Baked Oatmeal Cups
• Pumpkin Steel Cut Oats
• Pumpkin Crepes with Whipped Nutella

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This recipe was originally published on Sept. 30, 2019. It was republished on Sept. 17, 2021, to include additional information and photos.