Quick & healthy no-bakepumpkin energy ballsthat taste like cookies but are good for you! These energy bites are going to be your go-to healthy snack all season.

Oatmeal balls are one of myall time favorite snacksand we make them all the time. I always have a container of some variation of these on hand for quick snacks, easy additions to lunch boxes, and for on-the-go car snacking. Once you start making these you’ll never stop because they are healthy, easy, quick to put together, and store very well.

The bones of this recipe is oats, pumpkin, a nut butter, and honey – everything else you can add to your liking. I love to throw in chia seeds because they help the oat balls stick together well and have some great fats in them. I also add things like coconut flakes or nuts (pecans are delicious) in place of the chocolate chips sometimes.

Why You’ll Love This Pumpkin Energy Balls Recipe

You can’t go wrong with healthy fats, whole grains, and good carbs.
They are packaged in easy-to-grab little bites of fall time heaven.
I love that they have pumpkin in them, hooray for more veggies in life! The pumpkin also makes the color of the oatmeal bites so bright and pretty.
Customizable with whatever you have on hand or prefer.

🍽️ You can really tailor these to suit your taste. I have loads of energy balls you can try like myExtra Protein Oatmeal Bites,8 No-Bake Oatmeal Energy BallsandEasy Chocolate Peanut Butter Energy Bites!

Recipe Ingredients

Oats—old-fashioned or quick oats
All-natural peanut butter— Other nut or sun butter can be substituted.
Pumpkin puree
Chia seeds
Honey
Vanilla extract
Cinnamon—or pumpkin pie spice
Chocolate chips—I like to use mini dark chips, but any will do.

See the recipe card below for full information on ingredients and quantities

How to Make No-Bake Pumpkin Oatmeal Energy Balls

Step 1:Combine 1 1/2 cups of oats, peanut butter, pumpkin puree, chia seeds, honey, vanilla, and cinnamon. Add more oats up to 2 cups if needed for the mixture to not be overly moist and sticky.

Step 2:Add chocolate chips and stir to combine.

Step 3:Scoop out a spoonful of mixture, roll into a ball, and repeat with the remaining dough.

Step 4:Place the energy balls in the fridge for up to a week, or freeze for longer storage.

Recipe FAQs

I don’t have chia seeds. What can I add instead?

No worries! Just leave them out or sub them for something else like hemp seed hearts, chopped nuts, or some coconut flakes (and you can go up to a 1/2 cup of those things if you like).

Should I use quick oats or old-fashioned oats to make energy balls?

You can use old-fashioned or quick oats or a combo of the two, depending on the texture you are going for. Quick oats will yield a softer energy bite and the old-fashioned oats will make them chewier. I used half and half and was really pleased with how they turned out.

How do I get the oat balls to stick together?

If you find your oat balls aren’t sticking together well when rolled, let them chill in the fridge for 20 minutes and try again. If they are too sticky, try adding a few more tablespoons of oats.

A white plate holds a pile of round, textured oatmeal energy bites with visible oats and chocolate chips. Next to it, a measuring spoon contains cinnamon, and a bowl holds mashed pumpkin. More chocolate chips are scattered on the wooden surface.

Expert Tips

Best Oats:Use old-fashioned oats for a chewy texture or quick oats for a softer bite.A combination of both works well, too.
Too Sticky:If the mixture is too sticky, refrigerate it for 20 minutes before rolling.
Seed Swap:Swap chia seeds for hemp hearts, chopped nuts, or coconut flakes forextra texture and flavor.
More Or Less Sweet:You can adjust the sweetness by usingmore or less honeyor adding other sweeteners like maple syrup.

Serving & Storage Suggestions

These pumpkin energy bites are so fabulous packed in lunchboxes. I just pop them straight from the freezer to a little container in the lunch box, and they’re perfectly thawed for lunchtime.

Refrigerate:Keep the energy balls in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week. Energy bites can be eaten straight from the refrigerator or at room temperature.

Freeze:Freeze them in a single layer on a baking sheet, then transfer to a container for up to 3 months. Just thaw for a few minutes before eating.