Easy Chocolate Pumpkin Energy Balls

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!

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.

Recipe

5 from 1 vote

Easy Chocolate Pumpkin Energy Balls

Serves: 12

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Prep: 20 minutes

Total : 20 minutes

These Easy Chocolate Pumpkin Energy Balls contain only 6 ingredients, take only 20 minutes to make, and are raw, vegetarian, vegan, paleo, dairy free and gluten free.

Ingredients

• ▢ 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!

Isabel’s Tips:

Energy balls can be stored in the refrigerator for about two weeks.

Nutrition Information

Author: Isabel Eats

Course:Dessert, Snack

Cuisine:Gluten-Free, Vegetarian

Did you Make my Easy Chocolate Pumpkin Energy Balls?Leave a comment below and tag @isabeleats on social media!

@isabeleats