Pumpkin Energy Bites (Nut Free, Gluten Free)

September 9, 2021

Pumpkin Energy Bites taste like fall in a chewy and delicious bite. Ward off hunger, enjoy for a pre-workout energy boost, or satisfy your sweet tooth with no added sugar, but so much flavor!

Nut free, Soy free, Vegan, Egg free, Dairy free

I cannot tell you how glad I am that I made this recipe on a whim. I know, I know something with a food processor can never be made on a whim, but these, my friends, are special!

Starting September 1st I was totally feeling the pumpkin spice vibes and realized I haven’t created a new energy bite recipe on my blog in well over a year! They say timing is everything, so meet my latest creation…

Pumpkin Energy Bites!

Made with 6 ingredients (+ an optional 7th), you’re going to LOVE these bites! Plus, they’re not just pumpkin spice flavored. They contain REAL pumpkin!! Now you know that’s winning!

These Pumpkin Energy Bites are…

Easy to make in a food processor
Actually packed with pumpkin spice flavor
Chewy in texture
Made with NO added sugar
Nut free and allergy friendly!

Ingredients to Make Pumpkin Energy Bites

You only need 6 pantry staple ingredients (+ an optional 7th: protein powder) to make these energy balls. You’ll need:

Medjool dates
Rolled oats
Pumpkin seeds
Pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling)
Ground ginger
Ground cinnamon
Salt
Optional: protein powder

I had all of these in my pantry, which made it super easy to make these energy balls.

As you can see, these energy bites are free from the top major allergens, making them a school-safe snack too! Perfect to pack in your kiddo’s lunchbox!

Use pumpkin puree… not pumpkin pie filling!

Sure, you can use homemade pumpkin puree, but why not use canned when it’s just as nutritious as fresh?

Pumpkin is an excellent source of vitamin A, plus a…

Decent source of fiber
Good source of vitamin C
And contains iron, calcium, and potassium

Medjool dates are naturally sweet with warm flavors

Instead of using added sugar, and even natural sources like honey or maple syrup, these energy bites are naturally sweetened with dates.

Protein Powder is optional…

However, if you’re not adding protein powder I do suggest pairing these bites with another protein source for a more filling snack. For example, I love these bites with yogurt or cottage cheese, but a cheese stick or hard boiled egg will do too!

How to Make Pumpkin Energy Bites

Energy bites are easiest if made in a food processor (<– this is the one I have). I know it can be a bulky kitchen appliance (the base alone can be heavy!), but it does ALL the work for you!

Simply add all of your ingredients into the food processor. I do suggest pausing to scrape down the sides to ensure all of your ingredients process evenly. Eventually (in under 2 minutes), a big ball of “dough” will form in the processor. This is likely when it’s done and you can scoop into balls.

I used my cookie scoop to make even energy bites. It makes it so much easier and prettier to have them be equal sizes. Alternatively, the cookie scoop I use is a little over a tablespoon so you can just scoop a heaping tablespoon into your hand and roll them into balls.

How should I store these energy bites for best results?

My personal preference is to store these in the fridge. As a result, they firm up just a bit. In fact, they are delicious served a bit cold (although fine at room temperature too). If you don’t eat the batch right away, store in an airtight container in the fridge for a few days.

Alternatively, you can freeze these energy bites in a freezer-safe container. This is a great way to store these bites if you’re throwing them in your child’s lunchbox (they’ll be the perfect consistency by lunch!) or are on the go.

Kitchen Tools You Need to Make Pumpkin Energy Bites

As I mentioned, a few kitchen tools will make it much easier for you to make these pumpkin energy bites:

Food processor
Spatula (to scrape down the sides of the food processor)
Cookie scoop
Plate or baking sheet lined with parchment paper