Pumpkin Spice Bites Recipe

When fall rolls around, it seems like everything is pumpkin-flavored. Let's be honest, it's the most popular flavor of the season, and it just adds a whole lot of extra goodness to anything and everything. There are so many different decadent pumpkin-flavored treats to choose from. But now, if you are looking for a spin on energy balls and want them to taste more fall-themed, then this recipe is perfect for you. These pumpkin spice bites are filling, nutritious, and flavorful. What more do you need? 

Recipe developer Catherine Brookes of Blue Sky Eating dreamed up this tasty snack that will hit the spot whenever you need some extra energy. "These are great snacks to make in advance and take with you on the go," Brookes raves. "I love the pumpkin and almond flavors together, and the fact that they satisfy a sweet craving yet contain no refined sugar [is amazing]." Keep reading to find out how to make this yummy treat.

Before you do anything else, you need to take a trip to the store to gather all of the necessary items to throw this dish together. To start, get some rolled oats and almond meal. Of course, you will also need some pumpkin puree, almond butter, and honey. Your next stop should be in the spice aisle, where you can grab cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and salt. As a reminder, be sure to check for ingredients that you may already have at home.

Last but not least, pop by the baking aisle and grab some vanilla extract. Once you have everything in front of you, you can begin.

Are you ready to start this quick and easy recipe? If so, keep following along. Grab a food processor and place it in a safe spot on the counter where it can't get knocked off. Then, add in your oats and the almond meal, which provide a great base for these yummy bites. Now, place the lid on the food processor and blend until the mixture breaks down into fine crumbs. "I'm not sure a blender would be powerful enough to break down the oats enough, so best to use a food processor," Brookes notes. 

Once you finish your first mixture, it's time to start on the second. Grab a mixing bowl and add your wet ingredients first — this includes the pumpkin puree, almond butter, and honey. To add some more flavor, toss in the spices, including ginger, nutmeg, and salt. The last thing you need to add in is the vanilla extract. Then, grab a wooden spoon and mix everything together to combine. This shouldn't take more than a minute or so. 

Once you have mixed those ingredients, toss in the blitzed oat mixture, and stir everything together again.

Now, you have the wonderful dough for this recipe, but there's an extra step you need to take before you roll. Go ahead and stick the bowl in the fridge to chill. Set your timer for 30 minutes, and allow the dough to set. "Chilling makes the mixture a little firmer and easier to roll," Brookes shares. Once your timer goes off, take the dough out of the fridge and get ready to roll.

As a reminder, be sure to wash your hands before you begin to roll the dough into balls. Scoop the mixture from the bowl and roll it into a ball with your hands. Repeat with the rest of the dough. Each portion should weigh roughly an ounce and a half.

Once you've finished rolling all of the mixtures into balls, you can finally enjoy the fruits of your labor. These are great for a quick breakfast bite or a little post-workout snack. The bites would be great on their own, or you could serve with a glass of milk or a cup of coffee. "Perhaps if having as part of a snack, you could have some fruit or veg alongside it, maybe some carrot or celery sticks," Brookes suggests. She also says you could add some cacao nibs if you want a little chocolate. 

If you have anything left, be sure to store it in an airtight container. Leftovers will last for about a week. Cheers to another delicious, pumpkin-y recipe!