Healthy Pumpkin Pie Energy Bites
It’s nearly October but I can’t really “get into” the pumpkin season mentality… it’s SO hot here in Texas! I’m still wearing shorts, tank tops, and flip flops. Probably will be for another couple of months. But, I know some people out there are dying for some pumpkin goodies. Here, I have the solution for both me and ye pumpkin lovers: Healthy Pumpkin Pie Energy Bites! They’ve got all the flavor of pumpkin pie, but in a portable, bite-sized form. You’d never know they’re refined sugar free, high fiber, gluten free, and vegan.
So, why do I need a yummy portable snack?
Because I GOT A JOB! *gasps*
Well, technically, another one. Although I’m currently a full-time blogger, I have been wondering what the next step in my life will be for quite some time.
My dad wants me to open a bakery or maybe even establish a food truck.
My mom wants me to stick with blogging and cookbook publishing.
My sister wants me to create a healthy dessert product that you can buy in stores.
And me? I don’t know, I just want to be happy (and eat dessert all day, of course).
I decided to test out these options one by one. Just last week, I got a job at a local restaurant I love, making desserts with the fellow bakers. The restaurant is primarily gluten-free, with a ton of dairy-free and vegan options (nearly all of the ingredients are local, organic, sustainable, grass-fed, etc.).
I love the job, but I’m SO not used to the 8-hour shifts of almost constant running around the kitchen (my feet are killing me, slowly but surely). I’m used to sitting on the couch with my feet propped up and coffee mug beside me, editing photos, writing posts, responding to emails, and so on. When I feel like taking a break, I turn on some TV, take Cherry for a walk, or go workout. When I get hungry, I take five steps into the kitchen.
On the other hand, at the restaurant, I need to go on break to snack my face off. I like me some snacks, so I like to bring in bite-sized treats that are easy to make and can sustain me for the remainder of my shift. I brought in my Strawberry Shortcake Energy Bites a couple times, but seeing as it’s almost October, I felt like I should step up my “pumpkin game” a little bit… So what about Pumpkin Pie Energy Bites?
Um, YES.
These fudgy Healthy Pumpkin Pie Energy Bites are easy to make, pack, store, and eat — the perfect solution to a super hungry girl who is new to super long shifts!
Healthy Fudgy Pumpkin Pie Energy Bites
Ingredients
- 1 cup 100% Pure Pumpkin Puree
- ½ cup Roasted Almond Butter
- 1-2 tsp Vanilla Crème-Flavored Stevia Extract (to taste)
- 2 tsp Ground Cinnamon
- ¼ tsp Salt
- 1 cup Quinoa Flakes **
- ½ cup Quick Cooking Oats
Instructions
- In a stand mixer bowl fitted with a beater attachment, add the pumpkin puree, almond butter, stevia extract, cinnamon and salt. Mix on low speed.
- While mixing, add the quinoa flakes and oats.
- Scrape down the sides of the bowl and mix one last time. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
- Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper. Use a cookie scoop to portion out the dough and place on the prepared cookie sheet. Roll the dough into balls. Serve immediately or cover and refrigerate for later!
Recipe Notes
I have so many new recipes to try out and can’t wait to share them with you. Expect some more snack-ish recipes soon!
Be excited. Be very excited.
.
With love and good eats,
.
-Jess
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Indulge − no strings attached!
Congrats on the job! That’s so exciting and a great idea to try out all of the options. Oh, and I’m all about pumpkin these days–these sound delicious! BITES FOR LIFE.
Thank you so much Erin!! Glad you’re into the pumpkin season and feeling the “bites” theme here 😀
*chants* BITES. FOR. LIFE. 😉
-Jess
I have a nut allergy, so do you think I can use sun butter instead of almond butter and get same results? Thanks.
Any other nut or seed butter will work in place of the almond butter, just note that the flavor will change. I don’t have much experience with sunflower seed butter, but I feel like it has a pretty strong flavor. If you don’t mind that, go right ahead and try it out (maybe add some more cinnamon?). I hope you like the recipe! 😀
-Jess
Omg yay congrats on the new job!!! I feel ya on the long restaurant shifts…comfortable shoes are a must! Also, would this recipe work in a food processor instead of a stand mixer??
Awww thanks Marina!! I had to buy Crocs AND insoles AND super poofy socks. It’s abominable.
I’m sure this recipe will work in a good food processor. I would mix it just until everything is incorporated, then I would mix it by hand in a bowl (or, if you feel like the texture is fine straight from the processor, you can skip the hand mixing)! Hope you like the recipe 😀
-Jess
These look amazing! But I don’t have any stevia. Is there anything I could substitute it with?
I wouldn’t recommend substituting the stevia in this recipe because 2 tsp adds a lot of flavor and sweetness to the energy bites. Liquid sweetness like pure maple syrup will throw off the dry:liquid ratio :/
-Jess
Your web site is very use fully very good your site 😊
Could I use regular quinoa and not quinoa flakes?
Regular cooked quinoa won’t work in place of the quinoa flakes because it doesn’t act as a binder. Quinoa flakes are kind of like quick oats, but they’re much thinner and absorb liquid, making them perfect for these energy bites! 😀
-Jess
Can’t find the flakes..going to use instant oats but grind them a bit…
I haven’t tried that but slightly ground up instant oats should work out just fine! Hope you like the energy bites 🙂
Awesome! Thank you! ?
Would pumpkin pie mix work vs purée?
Pumpkin pie mix wouldn’t work here, sorry!
-Jess
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Hello! I’ve included this recipe in my list of oat-tastic recipes to check out in my Saturday round-up.
Have a great weekend!
Lauren / The Oatmeal Artist
Hello! This recipe looks great and I am looking forward to making them! Maybe I missed it somehow, but I was wondering how many servings this recipe makes?
The recipe made 19 bites for me 😀
-Jess
These look so good I could cry. I have made four different desserts from your website so far and these look like my new favorite – I just love pumpkin, I can’t stop baking! Awesome recipes seriously!
Hahaha you are too funny! If you like pumpkin-y treats, then these will for sure make you cry… with joy 😀
And I’m SO SO happy to hear that! SOOOO glad you liked the recipes!! *happy dances*
-Jess <3
This sounds so amazing! I’m absolutely in love with your site! You’re incredibly inspirational! ^__^
‘just made them…very sticky…anyone else have this issue?
Is the mixture sticky before refrigerating the “dough” for 30 minutes, or sticky after refrigerating? The 30 minute in-the-fridge process helps the quinoa (or oats) soak up some of the moisture. After refrigerating, the mixture shouldn’t be sticky. I would recommend sprinkling in some more oats to create a cookie dough texture.
They are better now..I did a 10min freeze and it helped 🙂
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Instead of the quinoa flakes, could I use coconut flakes? 🤔
I haven’t tried that but you can give it a shot! You’ll obviously get a coconut flavor, but I think it’ll still be pumpkin-y enough 🙂
I would recommend keeping extra oats on hand because coconut flakes probably don’t absorb as much liquid as the quinoa flakes do (which are basically thinner oats). Add enough so that you can roll it into balls. Hope you like the bites!
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I really wanted to love these, but maybe i am just too used to the sweetness of commercially made pumpkin pie..? I couldn’t even finish one of them, nor could any of my usually adventurous and healthy coworkers.
So nice i like it
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Oh, wow! Thank you for this amazing recipe! I can’t believe how easy it is to make!
Awww yay! So glad you liked the energy bites Suzie! 🙂
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What else would work instead of stevia?
I haven’t tested this recipe with a substitute so I can’t be sure. Feel free to do some recipe testing! 🙂
I added 1/4 cup of flaxseed (for some more dietary fiber) and an extra 1/4 cup of pumpkin puree.
The consistency was perfect … Delish!
Oooo that’s so smart!! Good idea, I need to try that!!
This looks so good! What a great way to make this recipe into a fall treat!
Thanks for sharing! Does it keep long?
Could you use rolled oats instead of quick oats?
Absolutely! 🙂
Thanks a lot for sharing such a wonderful recipe
What a great way to make this recipe into a fall treat!
Really Good work ..
Wonderful way to make this recipe into a fall treat!
I have made four different desserts from your website so far and these look like so cool
VERY NICE, I AM GOING TO TRY THIS DEFINATELY
This is the perfect recipe for all fall baking enthusiasts! The combination of warm spices and creamy pumpkin filling is the epitome of autumn flavor. I love that it’s easy to make and always comes out perfectly. I’ll definitely be adding this to my holiday baking rotation. Thanks for sharing!
Love that these are not only healthy but also easy to make.
I am absolutely smitten with your site! You are an incredible inspiration!
This recipe is one of my favorites!
There’s nothing I love more than this recipe!
Yummy!