Pumpkin Energy Bites (Easy, No-Bake!)

It's pumpkin season, and you know what that means- all sorts of fun pumpkin recipes are being created in our house! From savory pumpkin bread to sweet pumpkin cookies and cream cheese pumpkin muffins, we are going all in on the tasty pumpkin treats!

You've come to the right place for the best no bake pumpkin energy balls. Whether you call them energy bites or balls or pumpkin pie bites, one thing is for certain, our pumpkin bites are a healthy treat! They're full of wholesome ingredients like creamy peanut butter or almond butter, chia seeds, quick oats and flaxseed meal. But they've got the sweet, good stuff too! Like pure honey or maple syrup and dark chocolate chips to give them a delicious sweet flavor. This easy recipe is also gluten-free!

Our pumpkin energy bites are the perfect snack during the fall months and one of our favorite things to make! They are so easy and the best part is that they are a no bake recipe, so they're done and ready to enjoy in only 10 minutes! Pack them in lunch boxes, take them on your fall nature walks or long car rides to visit friends and family for the holidays.

Ingredients

This pumpkin bites recipe is full of healthy fats and good-for-you ingredients, making them a great way to enjoy snacking with feeling guilty. And to give your kids a good dose of the good stuff without having to fight it!

• Oats: I use quick oats for the best and smoothest texture, but old fashioned oats work as well. I don't recommend using steel cut oats.
• Peanut butter: all natural peanut butter, preferably creamy butter. Can be substituted with almond butter.
• Pumpkin puree: I use real pumpkin puree that I make homemade. If you're buying canned pumpkin puree, make sure it's not pumpkin pie filling. Pumpkin pie filling and pumpkin puree are usually right next to each at the store and can be easily mixed up.
• Pure honey: I use pure, local honey but pure maple syrup also works here.
• Flaxseed meal: also called ground flaxseed.
• Chia seeds: I love using chia seeds in my recipes but for kids who have texture issues, you may want to skip these or use a little less.
• Unsweetened cocoa powder: adds a lovely hint of chocolate, in addition to the chocolate chips.
• Pumpkin pie spice: you can buy a pumpkin spice seasoning blend or make your own using nutmeg, cinnamon, ginger, cloves and allspice.
• Chocolate chips: while I prefer dark chocolate chips, milk chocolate chips and mini chocolate chips are just as delicious!

How To Make Pumpkin Bites

1. In a large mixing bowl, combine all ingredients (both wet ingredients and dry ingredients- no need to dirty a second bowl!). Mix well using a wooden spoon or an electric hand mixer set to low speed.
2. Roll mixture into 1 inch balls, using about 2 tablespoon of batter (you can make the balls as small or as large as you'd like). Place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
3. Serve chilled or at room temperature.

How To Store

Store in an airtight container or large bowl covered with plastic wrap. They can be kept in the refrigerator for up to 1 week or at room temperature for up to 3 days. You can also use mini muffin tins to store them (my kids think this is fun). They can be frozen for up to 6 months in freezer safe storage bags.