Monday, November 2, 2015

Chocolate Pumpkin Energy Bites

Chocolate Pumpkin Energy Bites are a healthy, clean eating snack recipe rolled in raw pumpkin seeds for extra crunch.

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Can you believe it's November?! The fall season is flying by and I'm not quite ready for the holidays. I still have too many pumpkin recipes left to try before switching to other festive flavors. I finished October with a low key evening hanging out with a few friends at home, passing out candy to the neighborhood and celebrating Halloween... as a cat.


The weather on Halloween was terrible, chilly and raining for most of the day. Sunday was absolutely gorgeous - 65 and sunny. K and I took advantage of it and ran 5 miles to start the day. We finished a 3 mile walk in the afternoon to run a few errands. I also made a new version of energy bites for the week, inspired by last year's recipe for Healthy Pumpkin Spice Bites. I finally used my new Cuisinart food processor that I ordered on Amazon a few weeks ago. It's a good thing these bites are "no bake", because my oven decided to break this weekend! I think we'll be eating a lot of snacks and homemade soups until we pick out a new one. Thank goodness the range still works.


My previous food processor was a combo blender / processor that was too small for most recipes and had to be coaxed to blend properly. For energy bites, I had to split each recipe in half because it only held a few cups. I am loving this version, because it has a powerful motor and holds 12 cups! My new food processor also comes with a 4 cup insert and several attachment blades. If you're looking for a kitchen upgrade, I highly recommend it.


See how easily the bites come together? :)


This recipe combines unsweetened cocoa powder {I used Ghirardelli}, pumpkin puree, spices, dates, raw almonds, and raw cashews. I rolled the bites in raw pumpkin seeds for extra crunch and flavor. Raw pumpkin seeds are healthy as they are full of protein, iron, and fiber {source}.


Get your pumpkin on in November with this new version of energy bites. Have a great week!

Chocolate Pumpkin Energy Bites
Yields: 14 energy bites

Prep time: 5 minutes
"Cook time": 5 minutes
Total time: 10 minutes

Ingredients~
20 pitted dates*
1 Tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
2/3 cup raw almonds
1/3 cup raw cashews
1/3 cup pumpkin puree
1 teaspoon Pumpkin Pie Spice
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Optional: 2 Tablespoons raw pumpkin seeds.

*Note: I used California dates; if you use Medjool dates, you will need to use approximately half.

How to~
*Add all ingredients to a food processor. Pulse for approximately 1 minute, or until combined.
*Form into balls with a medium cookie scoop. Energy bites will last refrigerated for 1-2 weeks, or longer frozen.



7 comments:

  1. This looks so perfect in every way. I love pumpkin energy bites

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  2. What a cute little cat you were, Celia! :) These energy bites look so delicious, another great way to get in more pumpkin this fall!!!

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  3. Chocolate and pumpkin.. my favorite combination. These look awesome.

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  4. i love protein bites and this combo of ingredients sounds wonderful!

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  5. Beautiful healthy snack my whole family would like.

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