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Pumpkin Energy Bites

SAVE ✓ SAVED ADD TO MEAL PLAN PRINT VIEW IN SPANISH

We found this great recipe on the website, Gimme Some Oven. This is an easy “no bake” recipe which is perfect for a quick, energy dense snack. They work great in lunchboxes too. They are sweetened with dates and honey and I would recommend eating just one or two since they do pack a punch. What I love about these is the great flavor you get from so many fiber and phytonutrient-rich ingredients. The flavors are earthy and comforting and the texture keeps your mouth guessing! We love the idea of refueling your body with whole foods. Kids will love getting their hands messy and helping shape the bites.

Ingredients

Food
Amt
Units
Prep
Notes
1 cup dates, chopped, packed
dates
1
cup
chopped, packed
¼ cup honey
honey
¼
cup
pumpkin purée
½
cup
1 tablespoon chia seeds (can substitute flax seeds)
chia seeds
1
tablespoon
can substitute flax seeds
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
ground cinnamon
1
teaspoon
½ teaspoon ground ginger
ground ginger
½
teaspoon
⅛ teaspoon ground nutmeg
ground nutmeg
teaspoon
1 cup oats, Old fashioned, or rolled (use certified gluten-free oats for a gluten free recipe)
oats
1
cup
Old fashioned, or rolled
use certified gluten-free oats for a gluten free recipe
1 cup shredded coconut (unsweetened)
shredded coconut
1
cup
unsweetened
pumpkin seeds (raw - pepitas)
½
cup

Method

Combine the dates, honey, pumpkin puree, chia (or flax) seeds, cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg in a food processor, and pulse until smooth, scraping the sides down occasionally to combine. Transfer the mixture to a large bowl, and stir in oats, coconut, and pepitas until evenly combined. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. Once the mixture is cool and easier to work with, use a spoon, cookie scoop or melonballer to shape it into about 1-1.5 inch balls and then use hands to shape even further. Alternately, you can line a small baking pan with parchment paper, and press the mixture evenly into the pan, let it cool and cut into squares. Can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 1-2 weeks.

Prep time
20 min
Cook time
No bake but needs 30 min in the fridge before shaping
Yields/Serves:
24 energy bites
Nutrition Information

Yum Ratings

😫😟😐😀😍 “Super Yum! These are Superduperduper YUM!” —Asa, age 7
😫😟😐😀😍 “Yum! I would only take out the nutmeg out.” —Zane , age 11
😫😟😐😀😍 “Wow. These are amazing!” —Niki, a grown up
😫😟😐😀😍 “Oh, my. I could eat these all day long!” —Carla, a grown up
😫😟😐😀😍 “These are pretty decent.” —Dave, age 11
😫😟😐😀😍 “Wow. These are perfect. I just love the dates!” —Jen, a grown up
😫😟😐😀😍 “Super Yum and very tasty.” —Mike, age 7
😫😟😐😀😍 “WOW!” —Daryle, a grown up