Easy Vegan Pumpkin Pie Energy Balls

Name: Easy Vegan Pumpkin Pie Energy Balls
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 5 min
Ingredients: ½ cup crushed hard cookies or graham crackers; 2 tablespoons unflavored pea protein powder (, or oat flour (16 grams if measuring oat flour)); 1 ½ teaspoons pumpkin spice; ¼ teaspoon sea salt; ¼ cup almond butter (, may need more liquid if yours is too dry (see note)); 2 tablespoons maple syrup ((I use NOW Foods brand)); 2 tablespoons pumpkin puree; 2 tablespoons chopped pecans (, optional)

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These pumpkin energy balls are the perfect snack. Only seven ingredients and five minutes to make a healthy treat for the whole family!

Orange bowl with a pile of pumpkin energy balls and some covered in graham crackers

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of NOW Foods. The opinions and text are all mine.

This recipe was originally published on 10/29/18

While I love me some Halloween candy (omg those peanut butter cups), I don't like the feeling the day after I pass out knee deep in candy wrappers (oopsie), so making these treats that are both healthy and taste great has been a saviour!

We've all been there, including me. I now buy our Halloween candy early (yes, I buy Halloween candy), then hide it in the cupboard until my kids remind me we need candy and I have to think to remember where I put it.

Every year I try and find ways to satisfy my fall sweet tooth a bit better than shoveling candy into my face. After you all went all nutso over my protein brownie bites, and then asked for more flavors, I set out to conquer another. And here we are. Pumpkin pie, in pumpkin energy ball form.

Ingredients

All you need for these delicious and healthy treats are 7 simple ingredients:

Hard cookies or graham crackers
Unflavored pea protein powder
Pumpkin spice
Sea salt
Almond butter
Pumpkin puree
Maple syrup (my favorite maple syrup is the one by NOW Foods)

A cream colored container of maple syrup on a grey surface

How to Make Pumpkin Energy Balls

These pumpkin energy balls come together faster than you can rip into a bag of store bought Halloween candy. They taste like pumpkin pie, give you the energy of a protein shake and have the health benefits of broccoli.

Ok, maybe I lied on the broccoli part, but it's definitely healthier than a snickers bar.

Mix all the ingredients in a bowl.
Stir until smooth, then chill.
Roll into balls and devour!

I would highly recommend stocking these in your kitchen. And hide a few in the cupboard, especially if you have thief children that steal your profits without shame.

Optional variations

If you make these as often as we do, you may want some ideas on keeping these exciting. A fun way to add more texture is to roll the balls in extra crushed crackers to form a 'crust'.

Here are some other things I have mixed in as well that we loved:

shredded coconut
walnuts
peanuts
chocolate chips
pistachios
hemp seeds
pumpkin seeds
sunflower seeds

Different protein powder choices

My favorite type of protein powder is pea protein. I like it because it is simple (made with peas), low in carbs and fat, I like the flavor and it's vegan. But there are other options you can try as well:

Hemp
Soy
Brown rice
Plant mix
Whey, casein or egg- these are not vegan

Depending on what you you want in a protein powder will depend on which one is best for you. Flavor is the biggest issue so trying them all and seeing what you like is a good first step.

Tips and tricks

The perfect size for these vegan pumpkin balls is about 2 inches.
Use any hard type cookie you prefer, a graham type works best, just make sure it can be crushed easily. I easily crushed my cookies by putting them in a plastic bag and using the back end of a wooden spoon.
To make this nut free leave out the pecans and use sunbutter, this will change the flavor slightly but will allow it to be completely allergy friendly.
If your almond butter is dry you may need more liquid. Add pumpkin, water or milk slowly to get the consistency you prefer.
If you do not have or don't want to use a protein powder, you can sub oat flour. Use the same amount.
The best way to store these is in an airtight container on the countertop. The outer cookie, if you use it, may soften or get stale if left too long so keep that in mind. Transfer them to the fridge after a few days

Common Questions

Are energy balls actually healthy?

It really depends on the ingredients inside, like anything. If you're using whole foods, then yes they are a great choice in treats. But if you're using refined sugars, then they may not be the best choice.
Even though I definitely still use sugar from time to time, because balance, I try and pick more natural unrefined sugars when I can. Maple syrup is one of my top picks.

And when it comes to maple syrup, the brand 100% matters. Have you ever had bad maple syrup? Yeah, gross. Real maple syrup needs that rich, warm, woody flavor that draws you in like a blanket. It's unlike anything else, and it sweetens treats with perfection.

I have talked about it before, back in my recipe for maple roasted carrots, but my favorite maple syrup is the one by NOW Foods. It is super rich, thick and sweet, warm and delicious. As if you were eating it right out of the sugar house pots. No wonder it gives raw treats such incredible flavor.

Do energy bites have to be refrigerated?

If you eat them within a few days, and I can pretty much guarantee you'll devour them day 1, then you can keep these in an airtight container on the countertop.

If you happen to have leftovers, maybe you lose your tastebuds for a few days, then put them in the fridge where they can last for a week.

What are energy balls?

Energy balls, also known as protein balls are usually comprised of ingredients that boast protein, good carbs, healthy fats, and fiber. They're generally shelf stable which makes them easy to bring on the go for a healthy snack!

Need more energy? Check out these other vegan snack recipes: