Cranberry Pumpkin Spice Energy Bites – (from my new kitchen!)

These energy bites are made with pumpkin and spice and everything nice.  No baking required!

Well, hello!  It’s been a while since I’ve posted.  Some of you know I’ve been knee-deep in a total kitchen renovation for the past few weeks, and I’m so happy to say – IT’S FINISHED!!  Well, there are a few minor odds and ends to tie up, like a door for my pantry and my glass cabinet fronts, but it’s 99% finished, and I. AM. IN. LOOOOVE.

Some people are into cars, others are into clothes and jewelry.  Me – it’s all about the kitchen.  It’s the heart of the home, and where I spend quite a bit of my time, so it’s got to be good.

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Sooo… This was 5 weeks ago.  We kept the grocery store’s prepared food departments, packaged salads companies, and yes, even Stouffer’s frozen dinners in business for a few weeks.  I also got to know my local library because it was my “office” during the really messy and loud demo phase.

And this is today 🙂  I am feeling so completely blessed to be able to call this mine.  So very worth every bit of dust and inconvenience.

I’m slowly getting back into the swing of cooking, so today’s recipe is just a quick, seasonal-flavored energy bite that doubles as a treat.  Who was the genius who invented pumpkin pie spice mix?  I add it to everything in starting in September.

My local Sprouts had an everything pumpkin sale a few weeks ago, so I stocked up on canned pumpkin as well as pumpkin gingersnaps, pumpkin chips, pumpkin seeds…  These pumpkin spice energy bites are made with canned pumpkin puree, as well as oats, nuts, cranberries and some protein powder. They’re super quick to throw together, and they’re a nice, healthy blend of protein, complex carbs, and healthy fat from the nuts.

No baking required.  Just chill them in the fridge, roll ’em up and I like to keep them in the freezer for after I work out, or just need a healthier sweet treat.

Cranberry Pumpkin Spice Energy Bites – (from my new kitchen!)

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Prep Time: 20 minutes

Servings: 11 about 22 1-inch bites/balls

Calories: 151kcal

Author: Craving Something Healthy

Ingredients

• ½ cup pitted dates
• ¾ cup canned pumpkin puree
• 2 teaspoons honey
• 2 cups old fashioned oats
• ½ cup vanilla protein powder
• 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice mix
• ½ cup pecan halves
• ½ cup dried cranberries

Instructions

• Add the first six ingredients to the bowl of a food processor fitted with the chopping blade, and process until the mixture is well combined.
• If the mixture is too sticky, add additional protein powder or oats.
• Add the pecans and cranberries and pulse about 8-10 times until both are incorporated.
• Roll into 1-inch balls, and place on a cookie sheet.
• Refrigerate until firm, and then transfer to a freezer bag to store in the freezer for up to 1 month.

Nutrition

Calories: 151kcal | Carbohydrates: 24g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 10mg | Sodium: 15mg | Potassium: 173mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 2610IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 45mg | Iron: 1mg

Did you make this recipe?Tell me @CravingSomethingHealthy!

Do you call them energy bites, or energy balls?  Or just a snack?

Eat well!