Pumpkin Spice Energy Balls

$- 1 cup rolled oats - 1/2 cup pumpkin puree - 1/3 cup almond butter or peanut butter - 1/4 cup honey or maple syrup - 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice - 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract - 1/4 cup ground flaxseed - 1/4 cup mini chocolate chips (optional) - Pinch of salt You need simple ingredients to make these energy balls. The base starts with rolled oats. They give the balls a chewy texture and a lot of fiber. Next, use pumpkin puree. It adds moisture and a rich flavor. Almond butter or peanut butter brings in healthy fats and protein. You can choose either based on your taste. For sweetness, add honey or maple syrup. Both work well, but maple syrup is vegan. Pumpkin pie spice gives that warm fall flavor. Vanilla extract adds a hint of sweetness too. Ground flaxseed is great for omega-3s. You can add mini chocolate chips if you want a sweet touch. Finally, a pinch of salt balances all the flavors. These ingredients come together to make a tasty and healthy snack. You’ll love how easy they are to prepare! {{ingredient_image_1}} 1. Mixing the wet ingredients: Start by taking a large mixing bowl. Add 1 cup of rolled oats, 1/2 cup of pumpkin puree, 1/3 cup of almond butter, and 1/4 cup of honey or maple syrup. Stir these together until they blend well. 2. Adding dry ingredients and combining: Next, add in 1 teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice, 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract, 1/4 cup of ground flaxseed, and a pinch of salt. Mix everything together until it is smooth and well combined. 3. Incorporating optional chocolate chips: If you want a little sweetness, fold in 1/4 cup of mini chocolate chips. This step is optional but adds a nice treat. 4. Forming and rolling the energy balls: Take a tablespoon-sized portion of the mixture and roll it into a ball using your hands. Repeat this for the whole mixture until you have rolled all the energy balls. 5. Refrigerating to firm up: Place the energy balls on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Refrigerate them for at least 30 minutes. This helps them firm up and hold their shape. With these steps, you can make tasty Pumpkin Spice Energy Balls that are both nutritious and fun to eat! Enjoy your delicious snack! You can switch almond butter for peanut butter if needed. Sunflower seed butter is another great choice. For sweeteners, agave syrup works well in place of honey or maple syrup. You can also use date syrup for a rich taste without refined sugar. To get the right mix, make sure your pumpkin puree is not too watery. If the mix feels too sticky, add a bit more oats or flaxseed. When you roll the energy balls, wet your hands slightly. This helps prevent sticking and makes rolling easier. Aim for a firm ball that holds its shape. Pumpkin spice energy balls pair nicely with hot tea or coffee. They also make a great snack before a workout. For meal prep, pack them in lunch boxes for a quick bite. You can also enjoy them as a topping on yogurt or oatmeal for extra flavor. Pro Tips Use Fresh Pumpkin Puree: For the best flavor, try using homemade pumpkin puree instead of canned. Roast your pumpkin until tender, scoop out the flesh, and blend until smooth. Customize Your Sweetness: Adjust the amount of honey or maple syrup according to your taste preference. You can also substitute with a sugar-free sweetener if desired. Boost Nutritional Value: Add in a scoop of protein powder or some chopped nuts to increase the protein content and add texture to your energy balls. Experiment with Flavors: Feel free to add different spices such as cinnamon or nutmeg, or incorporate dried fruits like cranberries or raisins for added flavor and nutrition. {{image_2}} You can make your pumpkin spice energy balls even better with some simple tweaks. - Adding nuts or seeds: Chopped walnuts or pecans give a nice crunch. Chia seeds or sunflower seeds add healthy fats and protein. You can mix in about 1/4 cup of your favorite nuts or seeds to the recipe. - Different spice blends: If you want to change the flavor, try other spices. You can use cinnamon, nutmeg, or even a dash of ginger. Just swap out the pumpkin pie spice for the mix you like best. These energy balls can fit many diets with some easy swaps. - Vegan and gluten-free options: To make them vegan, use maple syrup instead of honey. For gluten-free, ensure your oats are certified gluten-free. - Low-sugar alternatives: If you want less sugar, reduce the honey or maple syrup. You can also use a sugar substitute like stevia or monk fruit. These changes keep the energy balls tasty and healthy. To keep your Pumpkin Spice Energy Balls fresh, store them in airtight containers. This prevents air from making them dry. Place the container in your fridge. The energy balls will stay good for up to one week. If you want to keep them longer, make sure to check the moisture levels. Too much moisture can cause sogginess. You can also line the container with parchment paper for extra protection. Freezing energy balls is a great way to save them for later. To freeze, first, arrange the energy balls on a baking sheet. Make sure they are not touching each other. Place the sheet in the freezer for about two hours. This will help them freeze without sticking. Once frozen, transfer the balls to a freezer bag or an airtight container. This way, they won’t clump together. When you're ready to eat, simply take out the desired amount. Let them thaw in the fridge or at room temperature for about 30 minutes. Enjoy your tasty snack anytime! Pumpkin Spice Energy Balls last about one week in the fridge. When you store them in an airtight container, they stay fresh and tasty. If you want them to last longer, freeze them. In the freezer, they can last up to three months. Just make sure to separate layers with parchment paper to avoid sticking. Yes, you can make these energy balls ahead of time. They are perfect for meal prep! Make a big batch and store them in the fridge. Just keep them in an airtight container. You can also freeze them for later. Just remember to thaw them before you eat. Absolutely! Pumpkin Spice Energy Balls are a great snack choice. They are full of fiber from the oats and flaxseed. Pumpkin puree adds vitamins, especially vitamin A. Almond butter or peanut butter gives healthy fats and protein. If you choose honey or maple syrup, you get natural sweetness without added junk. Just watch the chocolate chips; they add sugar, but they also bring joy. Pumpkin Spice Energy Balls are quick to make and packed with flavor. You mix simple ingredients like oats, pumpkin puree, and nut butter, then roll them into tasty snacks. Remember to get creative with add-ins and tweaks to fit your taste. They store well and can be frozen for later. These bites are not just delicious; they are also healthy! Try making these energy balls for a fun and nutritious treat. Enjoy making these snacks for yourself and others. They will certainly boost your energy and mood!$

Delicious and nutritious energy balls packed with pumpkin flavor and spices.

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Prep Time 15

Total Time 45

Course Snack

Cuisine American

Servings 12

Ingredients

1 cup rolled oats
1 2 cup pumpkin puree
1 3 cup almond butter (or peanut butter)
1 4 cup honey or maple syrup
1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
1 2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 4 cup ground flaxseed
1 4 cup mini chocolate chips (optional)
1 pinch salt

Instructions

In a large mixing bowl, combine the rolled oats, pumpkin puree, almond butter, and honey/maple syrup.
Add the pumpkin pie spice, vanilla extract, ground flaxseed, and a pinch of salt to the mix. Stir until all ingredients are well combined.
If desired, fold in mini chocolate chips for a touch of sweetness.
Using your hands, scoop out tablespoon-sized portions of the mixture and roll them into balls.
Place the energy balls on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
Once all the mixture is rolled into balls, refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to firm up.
After chilling, store the energy balls in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week.

Notes

Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week.

Keyword energy balls, healthy, pumpkin, snack