No-Bake Pumpkin Energy Balls

Got some leftover pumpkin purée? These pumpkin spice energy balls are just what you need! Combining pumpkin puree with almond meal, almond butter, and a collection of spices, these are an energy ball made without dates that really satisfies! Vegan, gluten-free, and refined sugar-free, this is the perfect snack for lunch boxes or enjoying at home for an afternoon pick-me-up.

Forever on the path of creating more no-bake bliss balls without dates, these pumpkin bliss balls are a close second to these dark chocolate and blackberry cheesecake fat bombs in the whole food bellies house.

No-Bake Pumpkin Energy Balls

There may be pumpkin everything as soon as Fall hits in the US, but these pumpkin energy balls can be enjoyed all year long.

Combining:

• almond meal;
• maple syrup;
• almond butter;
• pumpkin purée (if you prefer to make your own pumpkin puree try this recipe from It's Not Complicated);
• vanilla essence;
• ground cinnamon;
• ground nutmeg;
• ground cloves;
• ground ginger.

They are the no-bake energy ball we have all been waiting for.

No dates and no banana!

They also happen to be vegetarian, vegan, refined sugar-free, and gluten-free but who cares about all that when they are fun and delicious.

How To Make Pumpkin Energy Balls

Boasting a bright orange hue from the combination of pumpkin and almond butter, these pumpkin energy balls are a nice little breath of fresh air when it comes to the bliss ball scene.

With no dates and no banana, these pumpkin energy balls boast something a little bit different that the usual bliss ball.

Super easy to make, we are basically going to:

• Add all of the ingredients to a food processor until they come together in one ball;
• Using a tablespoon, roll the mixture into indiviudal balls until all of the mixture has been used up;
• Pop into the freezer for about 15 minutes to firm up, and then store in the fridge or freezer.

If you feel like changing things up a bit you could also roll the individual balls in some unsweetened cocoa, chopped almonds, chia seeds, or a mixture of cinnamon and nutmeg before placing them into the freezer.

How To Store Pumpkin Energy Bites

Homemade bliss balls should be stored in the fridge or freezer.

They will last about 5 days in the fridge as long as they are kept in an airtight container.

If you can't finish them in that time simply freeze your energy balls, which will give them a couple of months of life.

To freeze:

• arrange the balls in a single layer on a baking sheet small enough to fit into the freezer;
• pop the tray into the freezer;
• remove the tray from the freezer when the energy balls are frozen through and transfer to a freezer-friendly container or Ziploc bag;
• pop back into the freezer until needed.

Freezing the energy balls in this way means they do not stick together, and it is easy to just grab one or two out of the freezer, instead of a whole batch.

Freeze the energy balls in a single layer so one or two can be taken out at a time, and the whole batch does not stick together.

When it comes time to eat them, simply remove them from the freezer and allow them to thaw for about 10 minutes.

They will take on more of a fudgy texture from being frozen, but will still taste amazing!

Packing A Lunch Box? What Packs Well With Pumpkin Energy Bites?

My hubby and kids love getting homemade bliss balls in their lunchboxes.

I tend to make a big batch on a Sunday night so we have enough to keep us going for the week.

Some other homemade goodies they love packed in their lunch boxes include:

• Healthy Gluten-Free Zucchini Slice Recipe;
• Easy Broccoli and Cheddar Rainbow Veggie Slice;
• Whipped Feta Dip with a side of sliced veggie sticks;
• Roasted Garlic and Pumpkin Hummus with some pita chips;
• a little pot of chopped fruit;
• a handful of nuts and seeds (if nuts are allowed at your school).

If you can only add one homemade treat to a lunch box for the week, that's better than none right?

The best thing about pumpkin energy balls is that they are super easy to make, so 10 minutes of your time means you will have enough grab-and-go snacks for the week ahead.

Winning!

TIP: Get The Kids, Hubby or Friends Involved

If you plan on getting the kids involved in the kitchen, homemade bliss balls are the perfect place to start.

My kids all started helping make our homemade bliss balls from about the age of two or three.

They can:

• Add all of the ingredients to the food processor;
• Press the pulse button once you have put the lid on for them;
• Use a tablespoon to measure out enough mixture for one energy ball;
• Once they are a bit bigger and can roll them (this causes a lot of angst for me as I cannot handle it when they aren't rolled properly and have to sneak their energy balls to the side and re-roll if they are oval shaped....), they can roll the energy ball themselves;
• Roll the energy ball in whatever mixture you decide to coat them in.

I have always found that when kids have the opportunity to help with something in the kitchen, they are more likely to eat it when given the chance.

This doesn't just apply to kids though.

Partners and friends can help out as well.

Why not get together with a friend, choose a favorite energy ball flavor and each make a big batch, swap half for you and half for them and you both have a mixture of bliss balls for the week ahead.

Too easy.

Happy Eating.

xx

Recipe

The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.