Pumpkin Spice Energy Balls with Walnuts and Honey (Grain Free)
These pumpkin spice energy balls combine my favorite fall flavors in one bite. I love roasted pumpkin drizzled with honey, topped with walnuts and dusted with pumpkin spice. That is one of my preferred ways to eat pumpkin. But it takes so much effort to cut and peel a big pumpkin. Then it takes an hour to roast it and at least thirty minutes of cooling time before I can enjoy it. That is why I’ve created these energy balls. I wanted to have a dessert with a similar taste in shorter time and with less effort.
Why Should you Make the Pumpkin Spice Energy Balls?
This recipe is very simple and fast. You can make it with your kids in ten minutes or less. Serve the pumpkin spice energy balls for a snack, dessert or pack them in a lunch box.
These homemade truffles are a healthy dessert option because they don’t contain any refined sugar. You need only five ingredients to prepare them. Also, they are no bake, Paleo, gluten and grain free.
The pumpkin walnut energy balls are not only delicious, but also very nutritious. Walnuts are a good source of protein and healthy fats. They provide steady energy and satiate hunger. Raw walnuts are an excellent source of vitamin B6 and E. They are rich in manganese, copper and folic acid. All nuts help reduce cholesterol and reduce inflammation in the body.
Honey is used as food and medicine for centuries. It has lower glycemic index than sugar and it is rich in digestive enzymes. It contains some antioxidants and vitamins too.
Substitutions
You can replace the walnuts with pecans. They have similar taste and composition. Walnuts are bigger in size and higher in protein. Pecans taste slightly sweeter than walnuts. Both of them are loaded with nutrients and have anti-inflammatory properties.
You can also substitute the honey with maple syrup to make them vegan. Maple syrup is lower in calories and sugar. Therefore, you have to add extra to make the energy balls sweet.
Helpful Tips
When you add the walnuts in the food processor you need to pulse few times. If you blend on high for too long you will get nut butter instead of ground nuts.
If the mixture is too sticky and you can’t form a ball add more walnut flour.
Taste the mixture before you form a ball. These energy balls are not too sweet, but that is how I like them. If you think that they are not sweet enough you can add a bit more honey or maple syrup.
Please Note: I’m not a doctor or a dietitian. Everything written in my blog post is my own opinion. I’m not qualified to give medical advice!
Pumpkin Spice Energy Balls with Walnuts and Honey
Ingredients
- 3 cups ground raw walnuts
- ½ cup pumpkin puree
- ¼ cup honey or maple syrup
- 2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
- 1 tsp lemon zest
Instructions
- Grind the walnuts in a food processor.
- Add two and a half of the grounded walnuts in a deep bowl. Safe about ½ cup to roll the energy balls. Then add the pumpkin puree, the honey, pumpkin spice and the lemon zest to the same bowl and stir until combined. Taste for sweetness and add more honey if you like.
- Use a small cookie scoop or a measuring spoon to form the energy balls. Depending on the size of your balls you can get 20-25 balls.
- Roll each energy ball in the remaining ½ cup ground walnuts.
- Store in an airtight food container in the refrigerator for 5-7 days.
Other Pumpkin Recipes you might like
Pumpkin Oat Waffles in a Blender
This recipe is so easy to make and they come together easily. As described pumpkin flavor and not too sweet.
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