Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Energy Balls

This recipe post has been revised and updated from it’s original version (Nov 2014).

I am in love.

Yes, with my husband and children, first and foremost, but then with these delectable pumpkin beauties.

My Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Energy Balls, formerly known as Thank”slimming” Pumpkin Bites, are simple to prepare and pack a WHOLE lot of flavor.

The BEST Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Energy Bites | These healthy no bake snacks are easy to prepare and packed with all the flavors of pumpkin pie! All the delicious tastes of fall are present: pumpkin puree, pumpkin pie spice, and molasses. This clean eating food is perfect for a skinny dessert, post workout pick-me-up, breakfast side, or a fun snack for families who love autumn flavors. You will love the addition of oatmeal and honey in this sweet recipe too!

These flavorful energy bites will quickly get you into the “fall spirit”. You know falling leaves, sweaters, and of course, pumpkin flavored EVERYTHING! Pumpkin spice latte, anyone?

These bites fulfill the autumn flavor quota with pumpkin puree, pumpkin pie spice, and molasses being the stars of this recipe.

A truly comforting and delectable flavor profile if you ask me. πŸ™‚

The BEST Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Energy Bites | These healthy no bake snacks are easy to prepare and packed with all the flavors of pumpkin pie! All the delicious tastes of fall are present: pumpkin puree, pumpkin pie spice, and molasses. This clean eating food is perfect for a skinny dessert, post workout pick-me-up, breakfast side, or a fun snack for families who love autumn flavors. You will love the addition of oatmeal and honey in this sweet recipe too!

I have served these many many times and my family and friends always ask for the recipe!

There is just something about the poignant pumpkin flavor, richness of the molasses, and sweetness of the dates that combine into the most delicious little bites of fall. 

Keep in mind though…they are only “slimming” (remember their catchy former title?) if you have 1-2 “bites”! Almonds, dates, and honey pack a whole lot of energy. If you aren’t using that energy on a refreshing fall hike or raking leaves, your jeans might start to rebel. πŸ˜‰

These Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Energy Bites are the perfect fall snack! Click To Tweet

True pumpkin lovers will want to double this recipe! If you are anything like me, you will eat half the mixture right out of the food processor and then be disappointed when tomorrow comes and you only have 2 bites left. True story. Ya, my jeans hate me. Ha!

I toss a few frozen bites in lunchboxes because they are thawed and ready to eat by snack time!

The BEST Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Energy Bites | These healthy no bake snacks are easy to prepare and packed with all the flavors of pumpkin pie! All the delicious tastes of fall are present: pumpkin puree, pumpkin pie spice, and molasses. This clean eating food is perfect for a skinny dessert, post workout pick-me-up, breakfast side, or a fun snack for families who love autumn flavors. You will love the addition of oatmeal and honey in this sweet recipe too!

Seeing as we are in the mood for fall around here, I thought I would share a few more of my favorite recipes!

purely pumpkin donuts1
Baked Pumpkin Donuts 3 Ways

Seriously, you can’t go wrong with these donuts! Top them with a maple cream cheese, drizzle of maple coconut butter, or a cinnamon and sugar mixture.

Autumn Spiced Turkey Salad

If you have leftover turkey, this recipe will fulfill all of your fall salad dreams. πŸ˜‰ It has a touch of cinnamon and nutmeg…like…ahhhmazing!

Pumpkin N'Oatmeal 1
Pumpkin N’Oatmeal

This is your go-to fall breakfast especially if you have anyone with food allergies. It is “free” of everything (sugar, dairy, gluten, and grains) yet tastes like a rich bread pudding.

Cinnamon Almonds
Holiday Spiced Almonds

I am so thankful that my best friend, Sarah, makes these for me each year! It is like our unspoken rule that these have to be in my diet starting Dec. 1st.

Sweet & Spicy Turkey Curry
Sweet & Spicy Turkey Curry

Curry is one of my favorites and this simple recipe makes the most of your leftover turkey. There is even a secret ingredient that makes this recipe dynamite!

Okay, onto these Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Energy Balls!

Oh, and be sure to check out this guide, 121 Delicious Healthy Snacks For Every Type of Snacker! You can search for healthy snacks depending on the amount of calories, fat, sugar, or allergens that you are concerned about. You have to check out their simple Baked Pears with Walnuts and Honey snack recipe. YUMMO!

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Energy Bites

The BEST Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Energy Bites | These healthy no bake snacks are easy to prepare and packed with all the flavors of pumpkin pie! All the delicious tastes of fall are present: pumpkin puree, pumpkin pie spice, and molasses. This clean eating food is perfect for a skinny dessert, post workout pick-me-up, breakfast side, or a fun snack for families who love autumn flavors. You will love the addition of oatmeal and honey in this sweet recipe too! Find more recipes like this at groundedandsurrounded.com
Course: Dessert, Snack
Cuisine: All American
Servings: 24 bites
Calories:

Ingredients

  • 1 cup pitted and dried dates
  • 1/4 cup honey
  • 1 Tbsp molasses
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/4 cup pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie mix)
  • 2 Tbsp ground flax seed
  • 1 tsp pumpkin pie seasoning
  • 1/8 tsp sea salt
  • 1.5 cups old fashioned oatmeal
  • 1 cup almonds (see notes)
  • 1/4 cup dark chocolate chips
  • 1/4 cup dried cranberries (optional)

Instructions

  • In food processor, add dates, honey, molasses, vanilla, and pumpkin puree. Process on low until ingredients are well blended.
  • Add in remaining ingredients and pulse until the mixture forms into a ball. You can swap out the chocolate chips for the dried cranberries or add both for an extra dose of sweetness!
  • Roll into small balls (think size of a large grape) and store in the fridge for a couple weeks or freezer for months.

Notes

*Sliced almonds work best, but I frequently use whole almonds. If using whole almonds, pulse them before you start the recipe to break them up a bit. Then remove from food processor and set aside to continue with Step 1. By doing this you won't have large chunks of almond in the finished product.
Recipe adapted from Robin at Knead to Cook.
 

29 Comments

  1. Pingback: Valentine’s Day No Bake Energy Bites - HappiHomemade with Sammi Ricke

  2. These look and sound absolutely amazing!

    Definitely pinning this one!

    Thanks for sharing (and for linking up to the #SHINEbloghop).

    Wishing you a lovely evening.
    xoxo

  3. Those do sound yummy! It’s always time for pumpkin anything in my opinion. πŸ˜‰ Thank you so much for sharing them with us at Allergy Free Thursdays, Sammi! Hope to see you back at tonight’s party!

  4. What a lovely, healthy snack, Sammi! I loved how you pointed out that you need to just have one or two though – that is so true with treats πŸ™‚ Thank you for sharing this delicious fall recipe with us at the Hearth and Soul Hop. Pinned and tweeted.

  5. Looks delicious Love to try it, thanks for sharing with Hearth and soul blog hop. pinning and tweeting.

  6. Angela @marathonsandmotivation.com

    These look amazing! Pinned & I can not wait to try them πŸ™‚ Thanks for sharing at Sunday Fitness & Food.

  7. Energy bites ate my absolute favorite snack! This recipe sounds ultra yummy! Pinned and stumbled for later!

  8. These look delicious! Yum!

  9. This sounds like a fun healthy snack! πŸ™‚

  10. It would be hard to just a few bites of these. Thanks for sharing on Creative K Kids #TastyTuesdays

  11. These look so tasty!! Would love to make these and have them around for a healthy snack πŸ™‚

    • I have a love hate relationship with this recipe.
      1. I want to have them around all the time, 24-7, 365.
      2. Yet I lack portion control with these delicious little bites around! lol
      They are so stinkin’ good!! πŸ™‚ Enjoy!!

  12. yum these look fabulous and I have all the ingredients on hand! Can’t wait to try these!

  13. Hi Sammi, Thanks for sharing this recipe! What a great energy-packed snack!
    Blessings, Janet

  14. Yum! I bet my kiddos would love these. A nice, healthy treat. πŸ˜‰ Thanks so much for sharing them at Savoring Saturdays!

  15. Looks yummy! Thanks for sharing on the Healthy Living Link Party

  16. These look so delicious! Pinning!

  17. Yum! I just made this with apple butter instead of the pumpkin and it didn’t even need the extra sweetness of the honey. SCORE!

  18. I love the clever caption, Sammi! And how you noted the importance of portion control in order to keep a healthy recipe healthy;-) Oftentimes I have to remind myself that just because something is made with “clean” ingredients doesn’t make it alright to shove the entire batch in my face! These bites sound very yummy and also seem to be the perfect fall snack. Thanks for sharing!

    • Thank you so much Dulcie for your kinds words and checking out our new blog! Yes, these little bites are so delicious but portion control is so hard with these little stinkers πŸ˜‰ I am glad you appreciated the wording about “1-2 bites is a portion” because it is so easy to overindulge even though it is technically, like you said, “clean” ingredients. Happy Thanksgiving to you!

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