Energy bites might just be my favorite snack ever. I mean, they’re SO easy to make, you can store them in your freezer for munching at any time, and the flavor ideas are truly endless.
So you know I had to make you some insanely delicious pumpkin energy bites that seriously taste like a slice of your fav pumpkin pie (AKA mine, right?)
These little bites are packed with real pumpkin puree, cozy pumpkin pie spices, creamy peanut butter, and crunchy pecans. They’re naturally sweetened with a little pure maple syrup, which brings out that wonderful pumpkin flavor you love. I like to add a drizzle of white chocolate for an extra little treat, but you do you!
Any way you enjoy them, know they’re going to be your new favs.
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Ingredients in these pumpkin energy bites
You’ll need a handful of simple, nourishing ingredients to make these best-ever pumpkin pie energy bites. They’re made with real pumpkin puree and pumpkin pie spice for that amazing cozy flavor! Here’s everything you’ll need:
- Pumpkin puree: that’s right, we’re using pure pumpkin puree to give the energy bites moisture and pumpkin flavor. Feel free to use store-bought or learn how to make your own here!
- Peanut butter: all natural peanut butter helps the energy bites stick together and gives them healthy fats. Use the code ‘AMBITIOUS15’ for 15% off my favorite peanut butter brand, Wild Friends!
- Maple syrup: these bites are naturally sweetened with a little pure maple syrup.
- Pecans: I love the crunch that toasted pecans add to each little bite.
- Spices: we’re mixing pumpkin pie spice right into the “batter” for the perfect cozy flavor, plus a little sea salt.
- Nutritional boosters: you’ll need flaxseed meal & chia seeds for a healthy boost of protein and fiber.
- Rolled oats: these pumpkin energy bites hold up nicely thanks to old fashioned rolled oats.
- For topping: this is optional, but I love to drizzle on a little chocolate melted with coconut oil for a delicious treat! Feel free to use white or dark chocolate chips, and then sprinkle with extra cinnamon.
Simple ingredient swaps
Feel free to customize these pumpkin energy balls with what you have on hand! Here’s what I can recommend:
- For the peanut butter: any natural nut butter will work well like almond butter or pecan butter.
- For the maple syrup: honey will also work!
- For the pecans: walnuts would also be delicious.
- For the pumpkin pie spice: if you don’t have any premade pumpkin pie spice, feel free to mix together 1 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg, 1/4 teaspoon ginger, and 1/4 teaspoon of ground cloves or allspice.
Can I make them nut free?
Sure! Simply use sunflower seed butter and omit the nuts.
What about vegan?
Be sure to use maple syrup in the bites themselves, and then either omit the chocolate drizzle or use your favorite dairy free chocolate chips.
Get those pecans nice and toasty
You can absolutely add the pecans as-is, but I love toasting them to bring out their amazing flavor. There are two ways to do it:
- Stovetop method: Add pecans to a pan and place over medium heat, stirring occasionally for 2-5 minutes until almonds are slightly golden brown. Remove from heat and allow to cool before adding them to the pumpkin energy bites mixture.
- Oven method: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Place pecans on a baking sheet in a single layer. Bake for 6 to 8 minutes until fragrant and golden brown, stirring once halfway through baking. Watch carefully so that the nuts do not burn!
How to make pumpkin energy bites
- Make the “dough.” Add all of your ingredients besides the chocolate and coconut oil to a food processor and pulse until the mixture comes together like cookie dough. You should have little chunks of nuts in the mixture, and remember to stop a few times to scrape down the sides of the bowl with a spatula.
- Roll the balls. Use a medium cookie scoop to grab the dough and roll it into 15 equal-sized balls. Freeze for 30 minutes.
- Make the topping. While the energy bites chill, melt together the chocolate chips and coconut oil in a microwave-safe dish until smooth. Drizzle the chocolate over each energy bite and then sprinkle with a little cinnamon.
- Freeze & enjoy. Place the bites back in the freezer to harden, and then enjoy straight from the freezer!
Storing tips
Add the pumpkin energy bites to a freezer-safe bag or container and store them for up to 3 months. I recommend letting them soften up for about 5-10 minutes in the fridge or at room temp before eating them.
More no bake snacks you’ll love
- Salted Caramel Coconut Cashew Energy Bites
- No Bake Superfood Brownies
- No Bake Chewy Peanut Butter Granola Bars
- Birthday Cake Cookie Dough Energy Bites
- Monster Cookie Energy Bites
Get all of my no bake snacks here!
I hope you love these pumpkin pie energy bites! If you make them be sure to leave a comment and a rating so I know how you liked them. Enjoy, xo!
Ambitious Kitchen
Cookbook
125 Ridiculously Good For You, Sometimes Indulgent, and Absolutely Never Boring Recipes for Every Meal of the Day
Pumpkin Pie Energy Bites
Ingredients
- ½ cup pumpkin puree
- 1/2 cup creamy natural peanut butter (or sub almond butter or pecan butter)
- 1/3 cup pure maple syrup (or sub honey)
- 1/2 cup toasted pecans (or sub walnuts)
- 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
- 2 tablespoons flaxseed meal
- 1 tablespoon chia seeds
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt
- 2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats, gluten free if desired
- For the topping:
- ¼ cup white or dark chocolate chips, dairy free if desired
- 1 teaspoon coconut oil
- Cinnamon
Instructions
- Add all ingredients (besides white chocolate and coconut oil) to the bowl of a food processor and pulse until they are well combined and come together like cookie dough. You should still have some chunks of nuts. FYI: you may need to stop a few times and scrape the sides of the bowl with a spatula. Process again until combined. The batter will be thick, but that’s how we want it!
- Use a medium cookie scoop to grab dough and then roll into balls. You should get about 15 balls. Place energy bites on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and place in the freezer for 30 minutes.
- Add chocolate chips and coconut oil to a microwave safe bowl. Microwave in 30 second intervals until chocolate is melted. Drizzle back and forth over balls, then sprinkle with a light dusting of cinnamon. Place back in the freezer for 10 minutes. Balls should be kept in an airtight container in the freezer and will last up to 3 months. Enjoy them straight from the freezer. If they are too hard, let them sit at room temp for 5-10 minutes.
Nutrition
Recipe by: Monique Volz // Ambitious Kitchen | Photography by: Eat Love Eats
Can I leave out the flax and or chia seeds or is it integral to the recipe? (They get stuck in my teeth)
That should be fine as long as you can still roll them up well! If the “dough” is too wet, add a bit more oats.
I didn’t love these. The texture is weird, too.
I have an update…As I first posted, I didn’t care for the taste or texture of these at all.
I put them in the freezer for a week or so, then took a few out and put them in the fridge for a couple of days. After that, they tasted way better and the texture was also better.
I’ll be making them again, but I’ll repeat what I did here.
Just a thought for anyone else making them.
I’m glad you liked them better after they chilled!
these are delicious!! the perfect way to use extra pumpkin puree I had in the fridge. I skipped the chocolate topping and didn’t feel like I was missing anything. highly recommend this one!
Absolutely! Glad you enjoyed 🙂
Had all the ingredients on hand already and thought I might as well make these to have for snacks or desserts throughout the week! So so good! Drizzled them with dark chocolate. YUM.
Amazing! Glad you loved them!
I love your recipes and can’t wait to make some energy balls. The carrot cake ones are on top of the list. I have been eating better and need a snack for mid afternoon. Thanks for all you do.
Love that! Hope you get a chance to make them soon 🙂
Hi! I haven’t made these yet, but I’m going to! I’m wondering if they must be eaten out of the freezer? Are they too soft to stay at room temp or refrigerated? I’m taking the kids on a road trip so I’m looking for snacks that can be packed in the car.
Hi! They should be okay at room temp for a few hours – they’ll just be a bit soft. I recommend freezing them beforehand and then taking them with you! Refrigerated should be okay, too!
I didn’t do the chocolate drizzle and turned out really yummy. Satisfied my pumpkin pie craving!
Perfect! Glad you enjoyed!
These are delicious! Made them for a second time and added a little sprinkle of coarse sea salt on top. YUM!
Love that! Perfect snack 🙂
How long could these sit on the counter for?
I wouldn’t recommend leaving them on the counter for an extended period of time. They are best cold.
Love these!! Too good. Thank you 🙂
YUM! I didn’t add the icing bc I’m lazy, but they are still so delicious without! I will def be making these again. Love these to prep for breakfast or snack 🙂
No room in our freezer. Can you make them without this step? They look delicious!
I wouldn’t recommend. They won’t harden up correctly.
I made these today minus the white chocolate drizzle and they are so good!!!!!! I had 2 for breakfast and one after dinner tonight for dessert. 😄 This is definitely a recipe I will use on repeat.
Yay! Happy to hear you are loving this recipe ❤️
Can I add in brewer’s yeast to make it lactation friendly?
Cant wait to make this soon for me i never had pumpkin energy bites before perfect for my office snacks love your recipes as always brightens up my day everyday after work
Enjoy!