This pumpkin energy ball recipe is a protein-packed snack bomb!
Pumpkin and peanut butter are mixed with oats and coconut and sweetened with honey and then shaped into bite-sized balls that are the perfect portable snack! Make ‘em and take ‘em anywhere and anytime you need an instant energy boost! Mix, match, switch, or alter the ingredients to taste, or fit what is on hand. Save money, improve health, and get a delicious and convenient snack all in one easy recipe. What’s not to love?
A Healthy Snack!
- Pumpkin energy balls are portable, healthy snacks you can make on your own and keep them on hand for portable nutrition!
- So much more economical than spendy energy bars made with processed ingredients and wasteful packaging!
- Naturally sweetened and loaded with healthy fats, proteins, and antioxidants, pumpkin energy balls are an easy, no-bake snack that even the kids can help make!
- Prep and store pumpkin energy balls in the fridge or freezer and have them ready for snack attacks, post-workouts, or after-school sports team treats!
Ingredients and Variations
This basic energy ball recipe allows for mix-and-match extras so you can create the perfect combo, make one, or a variety for everyone’s preferences!
Peanut Butter: Peanut butter can be creamy or crunchy! Almond or cashew butter are also delicious, be sure to adjust for the extra oils by adding more oats so the energy balls keep together. For those with nut allergies, sunflower or chickpea butter are great alternatives! For a chocolate peanut butter energy ball, swirl in a couple of teaspoons of cocoa powder!
Pumpkin: Choose pumpkin puree from a can and not “canned pumpkin” which may have additional seasonings in it. Use up leftover pumpkin puree to make overnight oats, corn muffins with creamy honey butter, or some amazing morning treats like pumpkin cranberry bread.
Oatmeal: Quick oats are smaller and thinner and hold up better than rolled or old-fashioned oats. If quick oats aren’t available, use what you have and pulse them a few times in a food processor to make them finer. You can even find gluten-free rolled oats!
Coconut: Shredded coconut can be sweetened or unsweetened and should be a finer shred so everything sticks together. For crunchier coconut, saute the flakes in a dry pan until they become golden brown.
Honey: Other alternatives for honey are agave or maple syrup. There are also many new sugar-free liquid sweeteners that will work.
Extras: Dates, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, mini chocolate chips, or a spoonful of your favorite protein powder will add extra flavor and texture.
How To Make Energy Balls
No oven required here! Just follow these steps:
- Mix the wet ingredients in a bowl until well combined (as directed in the recipe card below).
- Add the pumpkin pie spice, coconut, and oats.
- Mix well and chill for up to an hour.
- Form balls onto a baking sheet and refrigerate until firm.
Storing Energy Balls
Keep pumpkin energy balls in the refrigerator for up to two weeks or freeze for up to two months.
Tips & Tricks
- Use a 1½ tablespoon-sized scoop to get uniform sizes, if desired.
- Use store-bought or better yet, make this amazing DIY pumpkin spice blend.
- Add extra oats or coconut if the mixture is too wet, about ½ tablespoon at a time. If the mixture is too dry and not holding together, add 1 teaspoon of peanut butter at a time.
- Lightly spray your hand with pan release to keep the mixture from sticking to your hands when rolling into balls.
Pumpkin Energy Balls
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 cup peanut butter or other nut or seed butter
- 4 Tablespoons pumpkin puree
- 1 Tablespoon honey * (or to taste)
- 1 ½ Tablespoons pumpkin pie spice
- 4 Tablespoons shredded coconut
- 4 Tablespoons quick oats
Instructions
- Mix peanut butter, pumpkin puree, and honey together in a medium mixing bowl.
- Add pumpkin pie spice, coconut, and quick oats. Mix well. Chill for 30-60 minutes.
- Using a cookie scoop or a spoon, measure 1 ½ Tablespoons, and roll into balls if desired. If needed, place onto baking sheet and refrigerate until firm.
- Refrigerate for two weeks in an airtight container.
Notes
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information does not include optional ingredients or garnish and is an estimate. It may change based on actual ingredients and cooking methods used.
©Our Zesty Life. Content and photographs are copyright protected. Sharing of this recipe is both encouraged and appreciated. Copying and/or pasting full recipes to any social media is strictly prohibited.
Like our recipes?
Follow us on Pinterest!
PIN this Pumpkin Energy Balls Recipe!
