These no-bake Pumpkin Spice Energy Bites taste like a bite of pumpkin pie, but they're made with creamy pumpkin, almond butter, oats, pepitas, and raisins, so they're a snack you can actually feel good about. One bowl, 15 minutes of hands-on time, and you've got a batch of vegan energy balls ready for the whole week. Yum!
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The Pumpkin Spice Bandwagon
Yes, I am jumping on the pumpkin spice bandwagon. I know it's cliché - but give me a break here.
I couldn't resist doing a pumpkin recipe (it is fall after all) and if you do a sweet pumpkin recipe, you have to add pumpkin pie spice, right?
This kind of reminds me of the time I accidentally wore the school colors on spirit day when I was in high school and I had to spend the whole day explaining to everyone that no, I didn't have school spirit, and that the navy blue t-shirt I was wearing was just a coincidence.
"Hey, do we have a quiz today in biology?"
"I DIDN'T MEAN TO WEAR THIS SHIRT TODAY! IT WAS AN ACCIDENT! I HATE THIS SCHOOL!"
That was the worst day.
Now that we have that out of the way - let's get on with the cooking.
Making Pumpkin Energy Bites
Sometimes I throw things together just to eat, not really intending to blog about it - this is one of those recipes.
I bought an adorable little pie pumpkin and made puree with it for another recipe and had just a little bit left.
So I added a little almond butter and maple syrup, folded in oats and raisins and pepitas, put in a little sprinkle-sprinkle of pumpkin pie spice, and rolled the mixture into balls.
Spontaneous! But they were so good, I decided they were definitely worthy of sharing.
In addition to being delicious, these pumpkin bites will also give you tons of energy. You'll have the strength of a bull, the reflexes of a cat, and the mental acuity of one of those really smart chimpanzees.
Eat these Pumpkin Spice Energy Bites and you will crush your enemies and run a 5K afterwards.
Or not. (Probably not.)
Energy bites aren't exactly Red Bull. But they're healthy and get you over that mid-afternoon hump better than a bag of M&Ms or potato chips.
Every ingredient in these energy bites is good for you - maple syrup is rich in manganese and zinc, pumpkin is full of fiber and Vitamin A, pepitas are high in magnesium, etc. And then there's the pumpkin spice too, which is full of deliciousness. And they're 100% vegan too!
So at the very least - these little pumpkin balls are a guilt-free indulgence.
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
- Pumpkin puree. Canned pumpkin works perfectly, or use homemade pumpkin puree. Just make sure it's plain pumpkin, not pumpkin pie filling, which is already sweetened and spiced.
- Almond butter. A smooth, drippy almond butter like Barney Butter mixes in most easily. Peanut butter, cashew butter, or any nut butter you like will work too.
- Maple syrup. It sweetens the energy balls and helps bind everything together. Agave works as a 1:1 swap.
- Pumpkin pie spice. A store-bought blend like Simply Organic Pumpkin Spice is easiest. No blend? Use ½ teaspoon cinnamon plus a pinch each of ginger, nutmeg, and cloves.
- Rolled oats. Old-fashioned oats give these energy bites their chewy, cookie-like texture. Quick oats make a softer, denser bite. Use certified gluten-free oats if you need the recipe to be gluten-free.
- Pepitas, raisins, and chia seeds. Pepitas (shelled pumpkin seeds) add crunch, raisins add little pops of sweetness, and chia seeds soak up extra moisture so the balls hold their shape.
Helpful Tips
Don't skip the chill. Straight out of the bowl, the mixture is soft and sticky. Two hours in the fridge gives the oats and chia seeds time to absorb some of the moisture, and the mixture firms up enough to roll into neat energy balls.
Use a cookie scoop. A 1 ½-tablespoon cookie scoop makes every energy bite the same size, which means they look nicer and you'll get right around 25 from a batch. Scoop, then give each one a quick roll between your palms.
Pulse the oats for a smoother bite. If you like your energy balls less chunky, pulse the oats in a food processor 4 to 5 times before stirring them in. Partly broken-down oats pack together more tightly and are easier to roll, which is handy if you're making these for kids.
Adjust the texture as needed. Pumpkin puree varies in thickness, so if your mixture is still too wet after chilling, stir in another tablespoon or two of oats. If it's crumbly and won't hold together, add a spoonful more almond butter.
Dampen your hands. Lightly wet hands keep the mixture from sticking to your palms as you roll. Rinse and repeat every few balls.
Variations
- Nut-free. Swap the almond butter for sunflower seed butter or tahini. Both keep these energy bites school-safe, and the pepitas and chia are already nut-free.
- Chocolate chip. Replace the raisins with ⅓ cup mini dairy-free chocolate chips for a treat that tastes like a pumpkin chocolate chip cookie. Dark chocolate chips work too.
- Protein powder. Stir in 2 to 4 tablespoons of vanilla or unflavored plant-based protein powder with the oats. Protein powder is drying, so add a splash of plant milk or an extra spoonful of maple syrup if the mixture won't hold together.
- Coconut-rolled. Roll the finished energy balls in unsweetened shredded coconut. It keeps them from sticking together in the container and makes them look extra pretty on a snack plate.
- Pumpkin spice latte. Stir 1 teaspoon of instant espresso powder into the pumpkin mixture for a coffee-shop twist with a little extra kick.
This recipe is pretty flexible and allows for lots of swaps and customizations. Here are a few more that readers have asked me about the most:
If you don't have maple syrup on hand, you can use agave syrup or honey as a sweetener instead. Obviously, these won't be vegan anymore if you add honey.
I've also had readers successfully leave out the maple syrup entirely for a sugar-free version. Or you can plus up the sweetness, by rolling the pumpkin bites in a little cinnamon-sugar coating!
You can leave out the raisins if you're not a fan, or replace them with dried cranberries, dark chocolate chips, or a handful of your favorite nuts. Pecans would be a nice addition.
Peanut butter (or any nut butter of your choice) can be used in place of the almond butter.
The pepitas add a nice crunch - but you can get the same effect with sunflower seeds too.
Serving Ideas
These energy bites are made for grabbing on the go. Tuck two or three into a lunch box, a gym bag, or a hiking pack, or keep a container at your desk for that mid-afternoon slump. They're also a smart pre-workout snack, since the oats and maple syrup give you quick energy without weighing you down.
For breakfast on busy mornings, pair a couple of pumpkin energy balls with a pumpkin spice smoothie or a slice of one-bowl pumpkin bread for an all-out pumpkin morning. They also make a sweet addition to a fall snack board alongside apple slices, a bowl of fall snack mix, and a mug of hot cider.
Storing & Freezing
These pumpkin energy bites store well in the fridge. Keep them in an airtight container for 3 to 5 days. Because they're made with pumpkin puree, they're softer than a typical oat energy ball, so keep them chilled rather than at room temperature, and separate layers with parchment paper so they don't stick together.
To freeze, arrange the rolled balls on a parchment-lined tray and freeze until firm, about an hour, then move them to a freezer bag or container for up to 3 months. There's no reheating needed: just defrost and eat! Let them sit at room temperature for 10 to 15 minutes, or thaw overnight in the fridge. A frozen energy bite tossed into a lunch box in the morning will be thawed by snack time.
More Pumpkin Treats and Snacks
If you love these pumpkin energy bites, be sure to check out these other delicious recipes:
- 22 Best Pumpkin Desserts
- Healthy Pumpkin Muffins
- Vegan Pumpkin Cookies
- Chocolate and Peanut Balls
- Vegan Pumpkin Spice Smoothie
- 16 Healthy Homemade Vegetarian Snack Recipes
📖 Recipe
Equipment
- Food processor optional, for a smoother texture
- Cookie scoop 1 ½ tablespoon
Ingredients
- ½ cup pumpkin puree
- ½ cup almond butter
- ¼ cup maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
- 1 ⅓ cup rolled oats
- ⅓ cup pepitas
- ⅓ cup raisins
- 2 tablespoon chia seeds
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, stir together the pumpkin puree, almond butter, maple syrup, and pumpkin pie spice until smooth.
- Fold in the rolled oats, pepitas, raisins, and chia seeds until everything is evenly coated. (For a smoother texture, pulse the oats in a food processor 4 to 5 times first.) Cover the bowl and refrigerate for about 2 hours, until the mixture is chilled and firm enough to hold its shape.
- Use a 1 ½-tablespoon cookie scoop (or a heaping tablespoon) to portion the mixture, then roll each portion into a ball between your palms. Lightly damp hands help if the mixture sticks.
- Serve right away, or store the energy bites in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. To freeze, set them on a lined tray until firm, then transfer to a freezer bag for up to 3 months and thaw for 10 to 15 minutes before eating.
Sharon says
I LOVE the Fall and all the delicious fruits and veggies that are in season. These Pumpkin Spice Energy Bits look yummy! Are these Gluten Free? If not, any recipe substitutions you could offer?
Kiersten says
They're gluten-free if you use gluten-free oats. 🙂
Jen @ Savory Simple says
I must try these!
Colleen @ Culinary Colleen says
I've been spending way too much money on energy bars lately...need to try these! They look so perfect for fall.
Kiersten says
I have a weakness for those bars too. 🙂
leigh says
mmmmmmmmmm those looks soooooooo good....
I'm so making these...any idea many calories, fat and fiber???...I'm on weight watchers
and would love to know how many points for one serving...and how much one
serving is.
Kiersten says
I'm sorry, I don't have access to Weight Watcher's etools, so I can't tell you the points values. I'd enter each ingredient in and figure out the points that way.
Michele says
I use My Fitness Pal. Using the recipe (minus the chia seeds) to create 25 bites =
73 calories per bite
3.7g fat
8.6g carbs
1.3g dietary fiber
4.1g sugars
hope that's helpful!
Kiersten says
Thanks!
pk says
wat about protein content ??
mjskit says
I have a little pie pumpkin on the counter waiting for me to figure out what to do with it. These energy bites sound like a great idea! With the pumpkin puree' I bet they are quite moist and very flavorful with the pumpkin spice.
Kiersten says
Yes, they're a lot softer than typical energy bites because of the puree, but they firm up after refrigerating. 🙂
Daniela @ FoodrecipesHQ says
These bites are my kind of snack, I made something similar last week, haven't thought of pumpkin puree, it's a great idea.
Kate@Diethood says
These guys and I need to become BFFs! Seriously, I would never stop eating these.
I've been on the pumpkin spice wagon for a month, now... :-/ I even sprinkled it on top of my vanilla ice cream. 🙂
Kiersten says
Pumpkin spice on ice cream?! Yes, this must happen soon!
Genevieve says
Good thing you measured your ingredients for these so that you could share the recipe! Lately when I make energy balls as a snack I just throw things in the food processor too until it sticks together enough...The next time I have leftover pumpkin puree, I'll have to try this version though - bonus that you don't need to clean out your food processor after!
Kiersten says
I didn't measure the ingredients, so I had to make them again! 😉 This happens to me ALL the time. A dash of this and a spoonful of that doesn't work so well with recipes.
Kathy says
Thanks so much for the idea! I made these with Sun Butter instead of Peanut Butter and Dried Sweetened Cranberries in the place of Raisins and they are SO Good! Thank You again!
Kiersten says
Ooh, I thought about using cranberries in mine too! I'm glad you liked them! 🙂
Kiran @ KiranTarun.com says
I'm still fighting strong urges to plunge into the pumpkin fever. This delicious bites are definitely nudging me towards it 🙂
Kiersten says
Well, it's October, so if there's anytime to give in, it's now. 🙂
Aimee / Wallflower Girl says
These look SO good, I must make them... and I have all the ingredients - hooray! These will make a great snack for the weekend. Thanks for the recipe 🙂
Kiersten says
It's meant to be! 😀 I hope you like them if you make them!
Nicole says
These look like great little snacks to have hanging around. The pumpkin & almond butter combo sounds awesome!
Christiana says
I made these and my almost two-year old niece loves them! I love how easy they are to make and are surprisingly quite filling. Thanks!
Kiersten says
I'm so glad they were a hit--thanks for your comment! 🙂
skoraq cooks says
These energy bites are really amazing. They're not only healthy and autumnal but they will satisfy my sweet tooth. I'm glad that you decided to share this recipe and these little treats are already on my "to do" list 🙂
Kiersten says
I hope you like them! 🙂
Crista says
OMG I'm laughing so hard at your school spirit story! I would have done the same thing.
I love the recipe, good thing you shared!! xoxo
Kiersten says
High fives! I never really got the whole school spirit thing. Like, why should I have pride that I go to this school? My parents bought a house in this school district--yay? Go team?
Kelly @ Texas Type A Mom says
You mean you don't blog everything you eat?! I love these - so easy and have the flavors of the season!
Kiersten says
There are days when I feel like I do--ha!
Lindy Sparrow says
Can you please tell me what is in Pumpkin Spice?
Kiersten says
It's cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves. Here's a link to a recipe for it: http://www.kitchentreaty.com/homemade-pumpkin-pie-spice-mix/
michele says
I wish I could post a pic of my 2 year old helping me make these. She was in charge of stirring as I added ingredients. Every time I turned around she had her fingers in the bowl stealing bites. when we were done I let her have at the bowl. She was a very happy mess.
Kiersten says
Aw, I love hearing that! I stole bites as I was mixing too, but I bet it wasn't nearly as adorable when I did it. 😉
Joe says
A few quick questions on ingredients,
What grade of Maple syrup did you use and are the rolled oats cooked or uncooked?
Thanks
Kiersten says
I made it with Grade A the first time and Grade B the second time, so both types definitely work. And the oats are uncooked.
Alexis @ Hummusapien says
Update...just spent my Saturday night making these and I'm totally obsessed. I flattened out the mixture in an 8x8 so I can have bars! Thanks for all your fabulousness 🙂
Kiersten says
Yay! I'm so glad you liked them! I love the idea of baking them into bars too. That's a little bit easier than shaping them into balls. 😉
Ronnie Fein says
Making these with the kids today. Sound really really good!
Kiersten says
I hope you enjoy them!
Lindsay says
Thanks for the recipe! As a nut allergy sufferer, I love any recipe for energy bars that doesn't revolve around nuts! Do you have any suggestions for non-nut substitutions for the almond butter? Thanks so much!
Kiersten says
I would try SunButter. I haven't used it myself, so I can't say for sure whether the recipe will work out the same, but I think that's probably the closest you can get!
Jenny says
What could I use instead of oatmeal? My daughter is allergic.
Kiersten says
Honestly, the oats are such a big part of the recipe, I don't think you can really substitute anything for them. I would just make a different recipe.
Sarah@Kids Heart Real Food says
Hello! I made these tonight as a yummy Halloween treat - they were a hit! I would definitely recommend keeping them in the fridge right before serving, or even in the freezer and then thawing slightly. I used a bit less maple syrup than called for and found them sweet enough.
Thanks for the great (and simple) recipe!
Kiersten says
I'm glad you enjoyed them--thanks for your comment! 🙂
Niki says
I love bliss balls...they're so versatile, portable and always delicious! Im going on a road trip next week and these will definitely be included in my box of goodies for the road 🙂 thank you for the great recipe x
Kiersten says
Yay, I'm glad to hear it--I hope they're a hit!