Pumpkin Spice Energy Bites

I always pick up a few extra cans of pumpkin puree in the fall because it is highly nutritious and it can be used for a lot more than pumpkin pie. One of my favorite things to add pumpkin to is my oatmeal along with pumpkin pie spice, some chopped walnuts, and a little drizzle of maple syrup. Yum!

These pumpkin spice energy bites are another way to get more of this healthy food into your diet. Canned pumpkin is fully cooked so there is no baking required! I am also including a great recipe to make your own pumpkin pie spice.

Pumpkin Spice Energy Bites

1. 1/2 cup canned pumpkin puree

2. 1/4 cup maple syrup

3. 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice (see recipe below)

4. 1 teaspoon vanilla

5. 1 cup dry quick cooking oats

6. 1/3 cup ground flax seed meal

7. 1/2 cup chopped toasted pecans

8. 1/3 cup reduced sugar dried cranberries

Combine the first four ingredients in a medium bowl and mix to combine. Add the oats and the flax seed meal and mix thoroughly. Stir in the pecans and cranberries until they are well distributed. Portion the mixture into balls using a 1 1/2 inch cookie scoop or tablespoon. Roll each ball lightly in your hands to even out any rough edges. Chill.

These will hold in the refrigerator for 2-3 days or can be frozen.

Here is the recipe for the spice:

Pumpkin Pie Spice

1. 3 Tablespoons cinnamon

2. 2 teaspoons ground ginger

3. 2 teaspoons ground nutmeg

4. 1 teaspoon ground allspice

5. 1 teaspoon ground cloves

Combine and mix well. Store at room temperature.