Pumpkin Cranberry Energy Bites

Name: Pumpkin Cranberry Energy Bites
Prep time: 10 min
Total time: 1 h 10 min
Cuisine: gluten-free
Ingredients: 2 cups instant or rolled oats; 1/3 cup dried cranberries; 1/2 cup pepitas (shelled pumpkin seeds); 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon; 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg; 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger; 1/8 teaspoon salt; 1/3 cup peanut butter; 1/3 cup honey; 2 tablespoons pumpkin puree; 1/3 cup chocolate chips

By Alexandra Caspero on October 30, 2017

Rolled oats, dried cranberries, pepitas, pumpkin spice in a granola bar bite form. Gluten-Free and easily vegan.

Makes 25-30 balls

Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe

Pumpkin Cranberry Energy Bites! Looking for a healthy pumpkin treat? This is it!

I’ve turned into a full-on snack monster. In my previous, pre-mom life, I snacked occasionally. Sometimes I’d grab an apple and peanut butter on a Saturday afternoon or make myself a little hummus plate after work, to buy time before I started on dinner.

Now? I need a constant, steady supply of food all day long. One arm to rock the baby, the other to fit these bites into my mouth. I’ve been working around the clock the last few weeks to try and build up my milk supply and having snacks at the ready is part of that strategy.

These energy balls are Fall-inspired, but still fairly nutrient-dense. Don’t get me wrong, I love homemade granola bars and such as the next gal, but most of those recipes call for a ton of honey, syrup or other liquid sweetener. I knew there had to be a middle ground; a yummy, sweet snack that tasted delicious without being the equivalent of a candy bar.

As such, these pumpkin cranberry energy balls were born.

The base of these balls are rolled oats, pumpkin seeds and dried cranberries. I find that you can get away with a bit less honey/peanut butter if you use instant oats, but I prefer the texture of rolled oats instead so I opted to go with those. They are chewier and hold up well to the other ingredients.

Since it’s the end of October, pumpkin was a natural choice. Pumpkin pie spices and canned pumpkin both get folded in to create these balls, along with a few chocolate chips for good measure.

If you’re looking for a healthy, fiber rich energy ball- these pumpkin granola bites are for you! They also freeze beautifully. I recommend making the full batch and putting half in the fridge to enjoy now and individually freezing the rest. Once frozen, place in a freezer-safe container or bag, then thaw in the microwave for 10-15 seconds before eating or on the counter for 10-15 minutes. They come to room temperature really quickly!

To make rolling easier, I suggest using a tablespoon scoop. Grab some batter, roll a quick ball and you’re done. If you’re looking for a more decedent treat, consider dipping the balls into melted chocolate, then placing on parchment paper to dry. I did this late one night when I was craving dessert and it completely hit the spot. I still felt like I was getting in yummy nutrients, with an extra hit of chocolate.

If you try this recipe, let me know! Leave a comment, rate it, and tag your Instagram photos with #delishknowledge . I absolutely love seeing your creations. Happy cooking!

Watch how to make it here:

Meet Alex Caspero

Alex Caspero is a Registered Dietitian, New York Times Bestselling Plant-Based Chef and mom of two. She aims to cut through the nutrition noise by providing real-life, nourishing tips for body and mind. Learn more about Alex.