Healthy Pumpkin Spice Treats for Families {Recipes}

Fall is approaching and at our house house, that means three words: pumpkin-spiced-everything! My obsession with “ALL things Fall” started shortly after my husband and I were first married and since then, the first day of Fall has become nothing short of an annual holiday at our house. When the crisp air comes and the leaves turn all shades of reds, golden yellows and oranges…..and it means bonfires, long-sleeved t-shirts, pumpkin patches and Halloween – agh! I just can’t get enough of the loveliness of it all! And, of course, nothing says Fall like my hand curled around my all time favorite: the pumpkin-spiced latte! SERIOUSLY. THE. BEST. If you’re a coffee lover like me, you can’t do Fall without this cup of Joe, friends.

I truly think my excitement for this gorgeous season builds more and more each year, and I’m always looking for new seasonal treats to whip up in the kitchen and introduce to my family. And, the most popular ingredient: pumpkin, of course! This year is extra special because I am due with our second baby on the first day of Fall: September 22nd (in case you didn’t already know!). So, being a post-partum mama, I wanted to find some recipes that would be quick, easy, and most importantly, healthy for me and baby. Here are two amazing Fall recipes that have both been approved by this mama and her six year old. I hope you try them and love them as much as we do! Happy Fall, y’all!

Pumpkin No-Bake Energy Bites

These little treats are cute, filling and quite addictive. We eat them as part of a snack or as a little treat at the end of the meal. So yummy!

Ingredients:

  • 1 1/2 to 2 cups dry, uncooked oatmeal (I used Quaker one minute oats)
  • 1/2 cup all-natural peanut butter (or other nut butter)
  • 1/2 cup pumpkin puree
  • 1/4 cup chia seeds
  • 1/4 cup quality honey
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice
  • 1/2 cup mini dark chocolate chips

Instructions:

  1. In a medium bowl, add 1 and 1/2 cups oats, peanut butter, pumpkin, chia seeds, honey, vanilla, and cinnamon. Stir to combine well. You want the mixture to be soft but not too sticky so that you’ll be able to work with the mixture in your hands. If it’s too sticky, add some extra oats until the mixture feels manageable. Keep in mind that if it’s only a little sticky, this will be fine because the oats will absorb some of the moisture with time.  
  2. When the mixture is workable, add the chocolate chips to the bowl and stir to combine. Scoop a large spoonful into your hand and roll into balls. Repeat with remaining dough. Keep these in the fridge for up to a week or you can even freeze them and keep them for much longer!

Pumpkin Protein Shake

You guys, my son’s response the first time I made this shake??? “This is the very best protein shake ever, mom!” You can’t beat that kind-of approval from your littles, and it only took me 5 minutes to throw it together! It will definitely be a Fall breakfast staple in our house this year!

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup unsweetened almond milk
  • 1 scoop vanilla protein powder
  • 1/2 cup pumpkin puree
  • 1 tbsp honey
  • 6-10 cubes of ice, depending on how icy or thick you like your shakes
  • 1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
  • 1 medium banana

Instructions:

Add all ingredients into a blender and process until well combined. Taste and add more honey to adjust sweetness if desired. This amount filled 2 regular sized glasses for my son and I to share, so there is no need to double the recipe unless you’re feeding more than two.  If you want to spice it up a little, top your shake with a little whip cream, sprinkle some cinnamon on top, and stick a couple of cinnamon sticks in for a cute and festive feel!  

Kristen Corrigan
Kristen is half city, half country, but a true Southern girl at heart. She moved to Wichita from Nashville, Tennessee in 2014 and calls Wichita one of the best kept secrets in the Midwest! Kristen is married to a busy MD, Chad, and is mom to Caden (6) and a baby girl due in September 2017! Kristen is a dentist, but is currently soaking up life as a SAHM. She is a dance team coach at Wichita Collegiate School and her joys in life include time with family and friends, coffee, fitness, fashion, sweet tea, traveling, and all things COLORFUL!