If you love pumpkin pie, you will love these pumpkin energy balls. They have all the delicious Thanksgiving-y flavor of pumpkin pie, but totally guilt-free and jam-packed with nutrition.
Even if you’re not a pumpkin pie lover, you should definitely try these. They are such a delicious snack or little “dessert” for after dinner.
Health Benefits
Unlike many pumpkin desserts that are high-sugar and high-fat, these energy balls are made with whole foods and no added sugar. But, shhh! Don’t tell your kids and they will never know. The dates sweeten them so much they don’t even need sugar!
Here are some nutrition highlights of the pumpkin energy balls:
- Omega-3’s. The flax seeds and walnuts provide Omega-3 fatty acids which are important for heart health, brain health, and hormone health. Our bodies cannot make them on their own, so we need to get them through food.
- Vitamin A. According to the NIH, research has shown that Vitamin A can help prevent cancer. It is important for our heart, lungs and other systems. We need to be sure our kids get enough vitamin A, as it is important for growth and development.
- Fiber. These pumpkin energy balls are FULL of fiber, because they are made entirely of plants! Fiber is important for good gut health, and emerging research is showing how important a healthy gut is for overall health.
- Magnesium. Found in both pumpkin seeds and dates, this mineral is important for muscle relaxation, over 600 enzymatic reactions in your body, and even can affect your mood! You can read more about the amazing health benefits of pumpkin seeds here.
A Great Meal Prep Snack
These pumpkin energy balls make a great snack that you can prep ahead of time and keep in the freezer. One word of caution: they do need to stay cool in order to not soften. My favorite way to enjoy them is straight out of the refrigerator or freezer.
Kids can enjoy them as an after-school snack that gives them a great nutrition boost, with the fiber that many kids are lacking in their diets.
Pumpkin Energy Balls
Equipment
- Food Processor
Ingredients
- 1 cup dates
- 1 cup pecans
- 1/2 cup pumpkin seeds
- 1/3 cup pumpkin puree
- 2 tbsp ground flax
- 1 1/2 tsp vanilla
- 1 1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
- 1 pinch salt
Instructions
- Soak the dates in warm water for about 10 minutes.
- While dates are soaking, add pecans and pumpkin seeds to the food processor and process until ground fine.
- Drain water off the dates and add dates to food processor.
- Add all other ingredients to food processor and pulse until blended smooth.
- Transfer to a container and refrigerate until cold. (Or use the freezer to speed the process up!)
- Remove from refrigerator and form into balls.
- Store energy balls in refrigerator or freezer.
These pumpkin energy balls might bring on those cozy fall weather feelings, but they can be enjoyed all year!
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