Pumpkin Pie Energy Bites: Fall Snack Recipe with Oats & Dates

These no-bake Pumpkin Energy Balls are a quick, delicious snack you can make in about 10 minutes. Sweetened with medjool dates and lightly spiced with cinnamon and pumpkin pie spice, they offer a perfect taste of fall in a healthy, energizing bite.

This recipe was created October 2015 and updated September 2022.

No-bake energy bites are one of my go-to snacks. I make many flavors—banana bread, coconut mango, pecan pie, and more—but when you want something that tastes like autumn, these pumpkin energy balls deliver. They’re simple, wholesome, and ideal for a quick pick-me-up.

All the cozy fall flavors packed into a quick, energizing snack you can grab on the go.

Why You Will Love These Pumpkin Energy Balls:

• They taste like fall. Warm cinnamon and pumpkin spice complement the natural sweetness of dates for that classic pumpkin-flavored snack.
• Ready in about 10 minutes. From start to finish these take only minutes to prepare—no baking required.
• Dairy- and gluten-free. Made with nuts, dates, and pumpkin puree, these bites are naturally free of dairy and gluten. If you need a nut swap, most raw nuts work well in place of the almonds or cashews.
• Easy to store. Stored in the fridge they will stay fresh for up to a month; frozen, they keep about three months—perfect for meal prep and snacks.

Recipe Ingredients:

• nuts: I use a mix of raw almonds and raw cashews. Raw nuts work best—avoid salted roasted nuts so the bites aren’t overly salty.
• dates: Medjool dates provide natural sweetness and sticky texture. If you use smaller dates, you may need more. Remove pits before processing.
• pumpkin: A small amount of pumpkin puree adds flavor and moisture. Don’t add too much or the mixture can become too wet to roll; if you don’t have pumpkin, add a couple more dates instead.
• spices: Cinnamon plus pumpkin pie spice give the right balance. If you prefer, use pumpkin pie spice alone, or increase the cinnamon to taste.
• vanilla: Use real vanilla extract for best flavor.

How To Make These Pumpkin Pie Bites:

Simple steps—no baking required.

1. Add the cashews and almonds to a food processor and process until they reach a fine, grainy texture.
2. Add the pitted dates, pumpkin puree, vanilla, cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice, and a pinch of sea salt.
3. Process until the mixture comes together into a sticky dough. If it’s too dry, add a teaspoon or two of water or a bit more pumpkin puree.
4. Roll the mixture into bite-sized balls and chill for 20–30 minutes to set.
5. Enjoy straight from the fridge or pack them for a portable snack.

That’s it—quick, wholesome, and full of fall flavor.

Recipe Notes:

• If dates are dry, soak them. Medjool dates sometimes dry out. Soak in hot water for 10–20 minutes, drain, and pat dry before adding to the processor.
• Any nut combo will work. Pecans, walnuts, almonds, and cashews can be mixed and matched—just measure about 2 cups total nuts for the recipe.
• No pumpkin spice? Use cinnamon. If you don’t have pumpkin pie spice, use extra cinnamon and consider picking some up later for that full pumpkin profile.

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Pumpkin Energy Balls

These no-bake Pumpkin Energy Balls are a delicious snack that you can whip up in just 10 minutes. Sweetened with medjool dates and lightly spiced, they’re perfect for fall.

Print

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Servings: 16

Ingredients

• 1 cup raw almonds
• 1 cup raw cashews
• 8–9 medjool dates, pitted
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 T pumpkin puree
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
• Dash of sea salt

Instructions

• Combine cashews and almonds in a food processor and process until a fine, grainy consistency.
• Add the pitted dates, pumpkin puree, vanilla, cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice, and a pinch of sea salt. Process until a sticky dough begins to form. If the mixture seems too dry, add a teaspoon or two of water or a touch more pumpkin puree.
• Roll into bite-sized balls and chill for 20–30 minutes to set.
• Enjoy!

Notes

If the mixture seems dry, add a bit more pumpkin puree or a teaspoon of water until it holds together well.

Nutrition

Calories: 131 kcal,
Carbohydrates: 14 g,
Protein: 4 g,
Fat: 8 g,
Fiber: 2 g,
Sugar: 9 g

Nutrition information is an approximation.