Pumpkin Date Balls are a sweet fall treat that you can feel good about eating. Here are three favorite flavor variations to try!
Another post from my good friend Emily (we are friends from college and I just adore her) and it’s a keeper! Long live all things healthy snacks that include pumpkin. ENJOY friends!
I never thought I’d say this, but I LOVE DATES!! They are nature’s candy and packed with amazing fuel for the body. They are loaded with fiber, potassium, and B-vitamins, to name a few. Mix them with something crunchy and chocolatey, or even a bit of pumpkin, and it’s perfection!
I tried this recipe using canned pumpkin, but I love using the crockpot to cook those hard-to-cut squashes and pumpkins! Thank you Melissa for this tip! It has been a game changer for me!
My goal was to satisfy anyone’s taste buds, especially the picky humans in your life! By adding in a few chocolate chips (or M&Ms if you have them!), you take their visual appearance up a notch so the kids will say, “Hold up – these actually look like I want to eat that!” They are especially chewy and delightful right out of the freezer, and fantastic for the punctually challenged folks out there! Anyone? Ok, maybe it’s just me.
Tips and Tricks for Making Pumpkin Date Balls:
- Double the batch. It’s only proper. This recipe makes between 8-10 balls (about 2 inch diameter), but I ate three just while MAKING a batch. It’s totally worth the extra time to have more of these on hand!
- Use whatever nuts you have on hand! I tried each recipe using a different nut, and I found that they all have a similar taste. The almonds were more crunchy, while the pecans were a bit softer. Save yourself some time and use what you have!
- If you prefer your nuts to be more finely ground, I would put them in the food processor first. I liked the bits of larger chunks personally!
Eat as many of these as you want, and feel good about it.
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Pumpkin Pecan Date Balls
- Prep Time: 10 min
- Cook Time: 0 min
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 10 Balls 1x
Description
Pumpkin Date Balls are a sweet fall treat that you can feel good about eating.
Ingredients
- 1 cup pitted Medjool dates (Costco has them!)
- ½ cup pecans, plus 12 pecans for topping
- ⅓ cup pumpkin puree
- ¼ cup unsweetened coconut flakes
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Toss the dates, pecans, pumpkin, coconut, vanilla, cinnamon, and salt into your food processor and pulse.
- Roll into balls (I like larger 2-inch balls), or use an ice cream scoop.
- Top with a pecan by gently pressing one into each ball.
- Enjoy fresh, or slide them into the freezer for a few hours. Store in an airtight container for freshness.
- Category: Snacks
- Method: Food Processor
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: pumpkin pecan energy balls, homemade energy balls recipe, healthy energy balls recipe
Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Date Balls
- Prep Time: 10 min
- Cook Time: 0 min
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 10 Balls 1x
Description
Chocolate chip pumpkin dates balls are a delicious and healthy treat you can feel good about eating!
Ingredients
- 1 cup pitted Medjool dates (Costco has them!)
- ½ cup almonds
- ⅓ cup pumpkin puree
- ¼ cup unsweetened coconut flakes
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- Pinch of salt
- ¼ cup mini chocolate chips or M&Ms
Instructions
- Toss the dates, almonds, pumpkin, coconut, vanilla, cinnamon, and salt into your food processor and pulse.
- Roll into balls (I like larger 2-inch balls), or use an ice cream scoop.
- Dip the ball into a bowl with the mini chocolate chips. Using fingers, gently press them into the ball.
- Enjoy fresh, or slide them into the freezer for a few hours. Store in an airtight container for freshness.
- Category: Snacks
- Method: Food Processor
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: homemade energy balls recipe, chocolate pumpkin energy balls recipe
Melted Dark Chocolate Pumpkin Date Balls
- Prep Time: 10 min
- Cook Time: 3 min
- Total Time: 13 minutes
- Yield: 10 Balls 1x
Description
Drizzled in melted dark chocolate, these pumpkin date balls are a healthy treat that taste like dessert.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons dark chocolate chips, plus extra for drizzling or dipping
- ½ tsp olive oil or vegetable oil
- 1 cup pitted Medjool dates (Costco has them!)
- ½ cup raw cashews
- ⅓ cup pumpkin puree
- ½ cup unsweetened coconut flakes
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Melt chocolate and oil in a microwave-safe bowl for 30 seconds. Stir until completely melted and shiny. Add 2 tablespoons melted chocolate to food processor.
- Add the dates, cashews, pumpkin, coconut, vanilla, cinnamon, and salt to the food processor and pulse.
- Roll into balls (I like larger 2-inch balls), or use an ice cream scoop.
- Drizzle the remaining chocolate on top of the date balls, or dip them in the chocolate.
- Enjoy fresh, or slide them into the freezer for a few hours. Store in an airtight container for freshness.
- Category: Snacks
- Method: Food Processor
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: homemade pumpkin energy balls recipe, easy energy balls recipe
The following recipes have been adapted from Rebecca Bohl on PaleoGrubs.com, and I chose my favorite blends of flavors just for you!
Punctually challenged….everyone who knows me calls it Debbie Time….and I refuse to wear a watch! Gonna try these, cuz, hey, chocolate! Thanks!