These no-bake Pumpkin Pistachio Energy Balls literally taste like little bites of pumpkin pie. Made with cashews, pistachios, dates, pumpkin and spices.
Pumpkin Pistachio Energy Balls
You can whip up these Pumpkin Pistachio Energy Balls in less than 15 minutes. They’re perfect for a morning or afternoon snack, or for an after-dinner dessert. I store my energy balls in the freezer (I like them super cold), but you can also keep them in the fridge. And for a healthy chocolate dessert version, these Chocolate Fudge Snow Balls are delish and great for the holidays.
Don’t you just love pumpkin season? These no-bake Pumpkin Pistachio Energy Balls literally taste like little bites of pumpkin pie. One of my dietitian friends recently made these for me, and they’re super moist with just the right amount of pumpkin and spice.
What is an energy ball?
Energy balls are packed with nutrient-rich and immune-boosting foods! Pumpkin is full of beta carotene, as well as fiber and minerals. Pistachios and cashews are full of good fats, and cinnamon is loaded with antioxidants. And for sweetness, I used Medjool dates in place of sugar.
Self Love
Hello, I’m Heather K. Jones! I’m a dietitian and a wellness guide, and I work with Gina on the Skinnytaste cookbooks.
I work with women who struggle with emotional eating, overeating or food or body image issues of any sort, and have a ton of FREE resources, articles and videos to help you Love Yourself Healthy RIGHT HERE, including this powerful 30-day Master the Weight Loss Mindset Challenge. Also, I’m offering FREE emotional eating support and guidance twice a month (the first and third Wednesday of each month) inside my Feel Better Eat Better Facebook group right here. So, if you could use some extra love and support, please join me!
Remember, your body is an amazing, self-healing machine! Every minute of every day it’s working to keep you healthy and alive, and one of the best ways to support your body and boost your immunity is to fuel it with nutrient-rich foods, like these seriously delicious energy balls.
More Healthy Snacks You Might Enjoy:
- Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Homemade Mango Raspberry Fruit Roll Up
- Everything Parmesan Chips
- Cranberry Pecan Oat Bars
- Parmesan Kale Chips
Pumpkin Pistachio Energy Balls
Ingredients
- ½ cup raw pistachios
- ¼ cup raw cashews
- 10 pitted Medjool dates
- ¼ cup canned or homemade pumpkin purée
- Pinch sea salt
- ½ teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Place ¼ cup pistachios in a food processor fitted with a metal blade.
- Process until nuts resemble coarse sand. Transfer to a small bowl and set aside.
- Add cashews and remaining ¼ cup pistachios to the food processor and process until finely ground.
- Add the dates, pumpkin purée, spices and vanilla extract and continue to process until ingredients are combined and smooth. At this point, you may adjust spices, if desired.
- Using a spoon (or your hands), scoop and roll mixture into 9 equal (golf-ball-size) balls.
- Roll each ball in the reserved pistachios and serve immediately or store in the freezer or the fridge.
Can I substitute organic dried figs for the dates?
I haven’t tested, let me know how they turn out
Just made these and they are great! Got exactly 9 but guessing the author doesn’t play golf as they are no where near golf ball size…which is a good thing! They would be way too big if they were.
Are these gluten free?
donnadoyleo@yahoo.com
Can I use monk fruit instead of dates?
I can’t with the dates.
How much of what substitute could I use?
I finally got around to making these. They were delicious, and felt a bit like a super healthy version of a candy bar! I used walnuts instead of cashews and skipped the salt, since my pistachios were salted. I think I’ll make a double batch next time and freeze some.
This mixture tastes SO good, but I had to add extra pumpkin and vanilla because my processor would not blend it all (and I have a Ninja one that is usually amazing). So now my filling is not quite roll-able. I’m hoping that by chilling first I’ll be able to form the balls.
Oh my word! These are so good! And packed full of nutrients.
Hi there – is this recipe gluten free?
Is this a rhetorical question? Since pumpkin, Medjool dates, nuts and pure spices are gluten-free….then yes, by all common definition and common sense, they are gluten-free.
Oy.,
These were amazing! Is there a trick to processing dates in the food processor? Mine didn’t do so well.
Happy you liked them! Using a high speed for the processor helps.
The recipe tastes great! However, I had to double everything except the nut portion, to get 10 energy balls. So, not sure how you got 9 out of half of that! Other than that, it’s great tasting.
Hi!
Just wondering if the cashews and pistachios can be replaced with other nut? If so which ones would you recommend? My son is severely allergic to cashews and pistachios but these sound amazing!
These look delicious! They look like they are Whole30 compliant but I noticed the “W” icon wasn’t included at the top of your post. I just completed my 30 days and still look out for compliant recipes. I will be making these soon! Thanks!
They look Whole 30 compliant to me… I will check with Gina on the W 🙂
Hi! Sounds amazing! Could you use raw almonds in place of cashews?
Would we be able to use coconut sugar in place of dates and if so how much. Recipe looks delicious!
I don’t think that would work as the dates also add texture and volume.
Is this gluten free?
How long can these be kept in the fridge?
About a week.
Hello – what do you recommend as a substitute for cashews? I’m allergic to peanuts, cashews, and macadamia nuts. Almonds instead of cashews? Thanks. I hope to try this recipe.
I would try walnuts. They are a softer nut like cashews and go well in recipes like this.
I think almonds would work!
HI Gina: I am looking forward to making this! I only have canned pumpkin, not puree. Would that work? Thx much
Pam, what you have is Pumpkin Puree. You don’t want to use Pumpkin Pie filling with all the spices in it.
Yes for sure that will work!
These sounds great! I have everything except the dates – would raisins be okay instead?
I was curious about raisins as well!!!
Can I use oats instead of dates? It’s the only think I don’t have and want to make these 🤦🏼♀️
Hello! I am not sure about the raisins as I have only made them with dates : )
I couldn’t find the dates in the store so I am trying dried apricots instead.
Do you have to use raw pistachios and cashews? Hard to find and only in big amounts if I do. Do you know what the net carbs are?
I like using raw nuts, but you can use any type of pistachios or cashews!. And I don’t know the net carbs. We only calculate total carbs 🙂
This is Delicious and Healthy Too. I’ll Definitely Try it. Thank You.
You are so welcome! XO
Are the cashews and pistachios unsalted in the recipe?
Awesome recipe…no sugar, no oil, no guilt!
Those look amazing Gina!
Gina,
I am always appreciative of your amazing recipes and Great ideas and suggestions. I have two of your cookbooks and I receive your weekly emails. But I was wondering what your stance is on your recipes being shared on other social media platforms – specifically Pinterest and WW Connect. I admit that I have done both – saved and shared on both platforms. And it just occurred to me that it may be wrong – if so I will stop immediately! I just wanted to know what your thoughts are on this. Thank you!
Thanks! You can share photos with links to my recipe, just not the full recipe. Hope that makes sense!
It makes sense. Thank you for clarifying. And thank you again for all that you do!