An easy recipe for kid-friendly pumpkin energy balls. Fuel your workouts and provide a fall-friendly after school snack with this nut-free energy ball recipe that’s made with minimal ingredients. A great way to use up leftover pumpkin!
Kid-friendly Pumpkin Energy Balls
Pumpkin muffins, pumpkin cookies, pumpkin waffles … ’tis the season, and I’m not stopping! I absolutely adore pumpkin and secretly get excited that we all get that extra boost of the beautiful orange food when we add it in. Today’s take is another one that’s super easy to make and one that I know you’re gonna love: kid-friendly pumpkin energy balls.
Why another energy ball recipe?
I know, I know – there are so many energy balls out there, right? (I personally love these basic easy energy balls, and these 3 ingredient paleo energy bites, too. I digress. Why another one? Here’s what I love about these:
- The recipe has minimal ingredients.
- Kids can assemble these pumpkin energy balls; in fact my 12 year-old just made our last batch!
- These are school-friendly and contain no nuts.
- How many energy balls have vegetables within? These pumpkin energy balls do!
- Oh yeah, they’re perfect for when you have just a bit of pumpkin left over in the can. Here’s a great way to use it up.
Ingredients needed for Pumpkin Energy Balls
- Quick oats make these easier to chew, IMO. These sprouted quick oats are my FAVE. Rolled oats are fine if that’s what you have on hand.
- I love these mini Enjoy Life Chocolate Chips because of their minimal, real food ingredients.
- Make sure to use canned pumpkin (I like to use organic) and not pumpkin pie filling.
- Sun butter ensure’s that it’s nut-free and friendly to schools that are as well.
- Don’t skimp on the pepitas. They are an added pop of protein and totally fitting for these pumpkin energy balls!
An easy recipe for kid-friendly pumpkin energy balls. Fuel your workouts and provide a fall-friendly after school snack with this nut-free energy ball recipe that's made with minimal ingredients. A great way to use up leftover pumpkin!
- 1 1/2 cups quick oats, gluten-free if needed
- 1/2 cup pumpkin puree
- 1/4 cup sunbutter
- 1/4 cup pepitas, unsalted
- 2-3 tbsp pure maple syrup
- 2 tbsp unsweetened coconut flakes
- 1.5 tsp pumpkin pie spice
- 2 tbsp mini chocolate chips (I use Enjoy Life)
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Use a spoon to mix all ingredients together in a medium mixing bowl. Place in the fridge for 30 minutes (or longer).
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Remove from the fridge and form balls with your hands. They don't roll very easily, but instead you may have to squeeze them into the shape that you want them.
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Store in an airtight container in the fridge.
These pumpkin energy balls are so festive and nutritious at the same time. They are easy to make, and perfect for sticking in school lunch boxes, for enjoying pre- or post-workout, or anytime you feel a snack attack coming on. LMK in the comments below if you make them!
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Love these! So easy. I love anything grab and go!
Yes! You and me both. Makes life that much easier:).
These look delicious. We love Sunbutter at our house!
Same here, Amy. Thankful for it since I cannot do nuts!
Heck with the kids! i want to eat these. I can’t wait to try this recipes. Looks delicious!
I know, right?! I love them myself!
These are absolutely delicious and I LOVE that my kiddos can take them to school for lunch. Everyone that I’ve shared them with said they were the ABSOLUTE BEST. Thanks tons for this winning recipe!
That is so great to hear! They are tasty; I love that they are a little moister than most energy balls AND you can use up some pumpkin in them, too. Thank you for taking the time to comment!!
Love the pumpkin addition!! So many yummy things happening in these!
Thanks so much! Love that they have pumpkin in them, too:).
Love pumpkin energy balls. They look so good!
Thank you! Hope you try them and love them.
You say don’t use pumpkin purée? To just used canned pumpkin. I’m confused about the difference bilut does it just mean don’t use homemade pumpkin purée because it has too much moisture?
Ah – typo! I meant not pumpkin pie filling. Pumpkin puree is fine, I use canned. I’m guessing that homemade would work just fine. Sorry about that!
Could honey be used instead of maple syrup?
Yes, that should work fine!