No Bake Pumpkin Energy Balls
Feeding our children and nourishing ourselves is HARD work! I feel like every time we eat and clean up, I turn around and it’s eating time. Again. And so my goal here is to provide you with EASY meal (baby and toddler-friendly) as well as snack ideas. These pumpkin bites are made with simple pantry ingredients and take 10 minutes to make from start to finish, perhaps even less! It’s also a really great way to use up any leftover canned pumpkin you might have after making other fall-flavored treats, like these healthy pumpkin banana muffins, moist pumpkin banana bread, 4 ingredient pumpkin cookies, and pumpkin waffles. Keep in the refrigerator or the freezer and enjoy throughout the week whenever hunger strikes! And if you are looking for fruit-sweetened energy bites, you have to try these favorite bliss balls, apricot balls, carrot balls, or oatmeal balls!
Ingredients
Rolled oats – I like to purchase in bulk and grind into flour myself (super easy to do) but you can certainly use store-bought oat flour. Pure pumpkin puree- be sure to get 100% canned pumpkin (the only ingredient is pumpkin) and NOT pumpkin pie filling. You can also use homemade pumpkin puree. Smooth peanut butter – feel free to swap with almond butter or seed butter (e.g. pumpkin seed butter or sunflower butter). Honey – or maple syrup if you prefer. Pumpkin pie spice – Hello warm fall spices! Make your own spice blend or grab it from the store. Chia and ground flaxseeds – a great way to add extra protein, fiber, and healthy fats For older kids, feel free to add some mini chocolate chips.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Tips for Success
Grind oats in a blender or food processor. This will result in a smoother texture, almost like cookie dough. If you want to skip this step, you can use oat flour. If you desire a more chewy texture, use quick oats and simply add to the rest of the ingredients. Adjust sweetness by starting with just 2 tablespoons of honey and adding up to 4 tablespoons to taste. 3 tablespoons is the sweet spot for us. Chia and Flax seeds – I like the combination of both in this recipe. But you can just use one type of seed. I personally recommend chia seeds as they add a nice “pop” of texture.
Ultimate Guide to Nuts and Seeds
Serving Suggestions
These pumpkin energy balls are great for an easy breakfast or snack or whenever you need a little pick-me-up. They are also perfect for school lunch boxes! Once the balls are refrigerated, they will become firm in texture. I suggest taking it out of the fridge at least 5 minutes prior to make it easier for toddlers to eat. You can also tear into small pieces if your little one has a hard time chewing.
Storage Suggestions
Transfer to an airtight container and keep in the refrigerator for up to one week. You can also make a few batches to have in your freezer for up to 3 months as a quick, healthy snack. Freeze the balls on a baking sheet and once frozen solid, transfer to a freezer-safe container or bag.
More Easy Snack Ideas
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