Pumpkin Pie Energy Balls

Bites & Bars

By Dixya

Vegan-friendly, gluten-free, one bowl, no bake pumpkin pie energy balls are perfect afternoon pick me up snack or as a workout fuel.

I spent the majority of Saturday morning developing recipes, two of which were pumpkin-related. Since we are officially into Fall I have got celebratory Pumpkin Pie Energy Balls to share. These balls remind me of pumpkin pie because it has all the flavors of pumpkin pie, thanks to the luscious pumpkin and pumpkin pie spice! While growing up in Nepal, I don’t remember being this excited about pumpkin; pumpkin was eaten mainly in the form of curry and I was NOT a fan at all. But ever since I discovered the magic of pumpkin in sweet recipes, I have been hooked.

My cousin from New York (hi Riya) texted me a photo of pumpkin scented candles and asked me if I was excited about Fall. She knows me too well – bring me all the pumpkin and apples this season. Are you guys team pumpkin? Please say yes. If not maybe, give these pumpkin pie energy balls a chance, you may just change your mind about pumpkin.

Pumpkin Pie Energy Balls are made with your basic pantry ingredients – oats, almonds, honey, pumpkin puree, pumpkin pie spice, vanilla extract, and salt. You can easily substitute almonds for pumpkin seeds and honey for maple syrup to keep it vegan all the way. These energy balls are basically a health food which is why I have been snacking them as my pre-workout fuel, but don’t be shy of drizzling or dipping them in some melted chocolate. Pumpkin pie energy balls will automatically receive a dessert status, JUST DO IT.

Unlike most energy balls, they don’t fall apart or get dry/hard. Keep them covered in the refrigerator (or freezer if you like frozen treats). I hope you enjoy these Pumpkin Pie Energy Balls as much as I am enjoying these right now.

Pumpkin Pie Energy Balls

Serves: 16-18

Ingredients

1 cup old fashioned oats
1 cup raw almonds
1/4 cup pumpkin puree
3 tablespoon honey (use more or less depending upon your taste)
1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
splash of vanilla extract
pinch of salt
optional – melted chocolate

Instructions

In a food processor, combine oats and almonds and pulse few times so almonds are chopped finely into small pieces.
Add the rest of the ingredients until well combined. Add more pumpkin puree and honey if the mixture looks dry.
Take about 1 heaping tablespoon of mixture and form them into a ball. Continue with rest of the mix.
if you’d like drizzle or dip some in melted chocolate and let them air dry for 10-15 minutes.
Store them in the refrigerator to chill and harden a little bit.