Pumpkin Spice Oatmeal Cookie Energy Bites
I am one of those people that always has to bring snacks along wherever I go in case I get hungry. I think I learned this from my Grandma, she always had snacks for us in her purse because she didn't want us to go hungry. I try to bring healthy snacks like bananas, apples or nuts or things like home made energy balls. This prevents me from buying unhealthy snacks, or having to spend extra money to buy them when I already have things on hand I can eat. I like to keep energy balls in my refrigerator or freezer (I usually keep them in the freezer even though they are always gone fast) at all times.
I usually just make oatmeal chocolate chip, but this week I had some extra canned pumpkin on hand from another recipe and thought it would be good in them. It was a bit of an experiment but I knew the result would be good. I replaced the usual coconut butter in the recipe with the canned pumpkin and added in the spices you find in pumpkin pie. So, these are a little bit lower fat than the original, but they taste just as good!
I could not stop sampling the mixture as I shaped them! It seriously tastes like cookie dough! I use protein powder in these so they are more filling, but if you didn't want to use protein powder you could just use some additional oats or something so they aren't too sticky (since the protein powder helps bind them). It is all about making them the way it works for you!
They are super delicious! A bit softer than the original energy bites I normally make but I like that! It makes them more like cookie dough than cookies (I always favor the dough anyhow). They are lightly spiced and the sweet pumpkin is perfect with the oats! If you want a healthy snack that tastes like dessert, give these a try!
Pumpkin Spice Oatmeal Cookie Energy Bites
Makes 16
- ½ cup raw almond butter
- 1/2 cup canned pumpkin
- 1/2 cup pitted medjool dates
- 2 cups raw gluten free rolled oats
- ¼ cup chia seeds
- ¼ cup hemp seeds
- 1 tsp ground ginger
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1/4 tsp ground cloves
- 1/4 cup vegan vanilla protein powder (I used Sunwarrior, but I like Sprout Living too)
- 1/2 cup vegan dark chocolate chips
Instructions:
- In a food processor, combine the almond butter, pumpkin, and dates together, and blend until smooth, then add the chia seeds, hemp seeds, spices and protein powder and blend again until well mixed.
- Add the oats and blend until mostly smooth (of course there will still be a few bits and the seeds will stay whole mostly but it is ok).
- Add the chocolate chips, and pulse until they are evenly distributed.
- Remove from the processor and squeeze and roll into balls with your hands. Set those on a parchment paper lined tray, and place in the freezer for about 30 minutes or until firm.
*These keep refrigerated for up to 1 week, or frozen for up to a few months.
