These Easy Chocolate Pumpkin Energy Balls contain only 6 ingredients, take only 20 minutes to make, and are raw, no-bake, vegetarian, vegan, paleo, dairy free and gluten free.
Happy Halloween, friends! Can you believe it’s almost November? I definitely can’t. I have no idea how, but time just flew by this year. Between wedding planning, the blog, getting a new kitten and a ton of other things, I guess I haven’t been paying attention to the calendar.
But nevertheless, it’s the last day of October and I’ve got one thing on my mind.
Pumpkin!
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I’ve only made one other pumpkin-type treat this year – this Mexican Chocolate Pumpkin Seed Granola – and I don’t even think it counts because it’s pumpkin SEEDS, not actual pumpkin PUREE. So I thought I’d update this post which was originally posted last year. It had terrible photos but the recipe is AMAZING. Now that I’ve had a little practice at taking better food photos, it’s time to really showcase these Easy Chocolate Pumpkin Energy Balls.
Made with only 6 ingredients, the energy balls take only 20 minutes to make and are raw, vegetarian, vegan, paleo, dairy free and gluten free. Let me know if I missed something. 😉 They’re rich and decadent, making them the perfect little treat to make for your upcoming holiday parties. They also make a great homemade gift any time of the year. Don’t tell my coworkers but I know what I’m giving them for Christmas this year.
I love to cook – except when I’m tired, but even then I could be persuaded. Baking, however, is another story. I don’t quite understand what the ratio of wet to dry ingredients should be, how breads and cookies rise (do they?) and how temperature can determine whether a pie crust comes together nicely. And that’s just normal baking! Baking with gluten-free flours is an entirely different thing altogether. Though I do enjoy experimenting with baking (see my recipes for Easy Jalapeno Cornbread Muffins, Mexican Black Bean Blender Brownies and Gluten Free Oatmeal Raisin Muffins), I often find myself giving up after three terrible attempts at chocolate chip cookies. I’ll just stick with ice cream, thank you.
But when I figured out how to make a super easy dessert that required NO BAKING, I knew I just had to share it with you.
These pumpkin chocolate energy balls are so easy, you basically throw everything in a blender or food processor, pulse until smooth and roll the mixture into little balls of chocolaty goodness. Roll them in some chopped nuts to make them look a little fancy and voila! You’ve got the perfect little treat to take to a party, get together or a simple weeknight dessert.
Thanks to the pumpkin, these are especially good during the fall and winter seasons when everyone wants pumpkin-flavored everything all the time.
Easy Chocolate Pumpkin Energy Balls
Print Pin RateIngredients
- 1 1/2 cup dates
- 1/4 cup + 2 tbsp pumpkin seeds
- 3 tbsp pumpkin puree
- 3 tbsp 100% raw cacao powder
- 3/4 tsp pumpkin pie spice
- 1/2 cup pecan chips for topping, or other diced nuts
Instructions
- In a medium-sized bowl or plate, add the pecan chips and set aside.
- In a blender or food processor, combine dates and pumpkin puree.
- Pulse until mixture turns into a smooth paste, scraping the mixture off the sides of the blender in between pulses if necessary.
- Add pumpkin seeds, cacao powder and pumpkin spice to the mixture.
- Pulse again until the pumpkin seeds are finely diced.
- Transfer mixture into a small bowl and roll into a large ball.
- Cut ball into fourths.
- Separate each fourth into three evenly-sized pieces.
- Roll each piece into a ball until 12 balls are formed.
- Using the palm of your hand, roll each ball into the pecan chips, pressing lightly, until the ball is nicely coated with the nut topping.
- Continue until each ball is coated.
- Serve each energy ball in a mini muffin cup for a beautiful presentation and enjoy!
Notes
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Ooooh these look so tasty I could eat my screen. Great job!
Danielle | http://www.FollowMyGut.com <3
Thanks so much, Danielle!
ooh sounds delish!!! I’m making some of these for New Years!
Kendra, I hope you enjoyed them. Happy New Year!
Isabel, these sound amazing! I would probably eat an entire batch by myself…
Oh, I know how that goes 🙂
These look so fudgey and delicious! I’d love a handful right now! 😉
You had me at easy. And then you added pumpkin and chocolate. I wish I could add a googly heart eyed emoji face here 🙂
Emojis make everything better, just like pumpkin and chocolate 🙂
Ooooo! So easy, I am definitely pinning!
They look so delicious! I love truffles!
Ummm, yes please! These truffles look ridiculous good and so cute! I also love that you use dates to sweeten these – so perfect!
Thanks, Sarah. I’m absolutely in love with dates for that reason. They’re just so rich and make for the perfect little bite.