Name: Pumpkin Spice Energy Balls
Total time: 15 min
Ingredients: 0.5 cup smooth natural cashew butter or creamy natural almond butter; 0.33 cup canned pumpkin; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 1 cup pitted dried Medjool dates, chopped (see Note); 0.25 cup pecan halves; 1.25 cup old-fashioned rolled oats; 3 tablespoons toasted unsalted pepitas; 2 tablespoons chia seeds; 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice; 0.5 teaspoon salt

Pumpkin Spice Energy Balls

5.0

(4)

4 Reviews

These pumpkin pie spice energy balls are everything you could want in a snack: classic pumpkin spice flavor with a satisfyingly chewy texture with bits of crunch from seeds and nuts throughout. It's worth seeking out cashew or almond butter to make these—they have a more neutral flavor that lets the spices and pumpkin shine, but any nut butter will work.

Catherine Jessee

Updated on March 28, 2024

Reviewed by Dietitian

Emily Lachtrupp, M.S., RD

Tested by

Learn more about our food philosophy and nutrition parameters.

" tabindex="0" data-inline-tooltip="true"> EatingWell Test Kitchen

Ingredients

½ cup smooth natural cashew butter or creamy natural almond butter
⅓ cup canned pumpkin
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup pitted dried Medjool dates, chopped (see Note)
¼ cup pecan halves
1 ¼ cup old-fashioned rolled oats
3 tablespoons toasted unsalted pepitas
2 tablespoons chia seeds
2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
½ teaspoon salt

Directions

Stir together cashew butter (or almond butter), pumpkin and vanilla in a small bowl.
Process dates and pecans in a food processor until finely chopped, about 1 minute. Add oats, pepitas, chia seeds, pumpkin pie spice and salt. Process until fully combined, about 10 (1-second) pulses. Add the pumpkin mixture; process until fully combined and incorporated, about 10 (1-second) pulses, stopping to scrape down sides as needed.
Line a large rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. Using a 1-tablespoon cookie scoop or measuring spoon, scoop 24 portions of the oat mixture onto the prepared baking sheet. Using clean hands, roll each portion into a ball. Serve immediately or refrigerate, covered, for up to 5 days.

To make ahead

Refrigerate for up to 5 days.

Note

If your dates aren't particularly soft, you can place them in a bowl and pour boiling water over them. Let stand for 10 minutes; drain.

Originally appeared: EatingWell.com, September 2023

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

245	Calories
14g	Fat
28g	Carbs
7g	Protein

Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 8
Serving Size 3 balls
Calories 245
% Daily Value *
Total Carbohydrate 28g	10%
Dietary Fiber 5g	18%
Total Sugars 11g
Protein 7g	14%
Total Fat 14g	18%
Saturated Fat 2g	10%
Vitamin A 959IU	19%
Folate 14mcg	4%
Vitamin K 1mcg	1%
Sodium 178mg	8%
Calcium 50mg	4%
Iron 2mg	11%
Magnesium 67mg	16%
Potassium 259mg	6%
Zinc 1mg	9%
Omega 3 1g

Nutrition information is calculated by a registered dietitian using an ingredient database but should be considered an estimate.

* Daily Values (DVs) are the recommended amounts of nutrients to consume each day. Percent Daily Value (%DV) found on nutrition labels tells you how much a serving of a particular food or recipe contributes to each of those total recommended amounts. Per the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the daily value is based on a standard 2,000 calorie diet. Depending on your calorie needs or if you have a health condition, you may need more or less of particular nutrients. (For example, it’s recommended that people following a heart-healthy diet eat less sodium on a daily basis compared to those following a standard diet.)

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a special diet for medical reasons, be sure to consult with your primary care provider or a registered dietitian to better understand your personal nutrition needs.