8 Nutritious Pumpkin Flavored Snacks
- Nutrition
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Have you ever tasted some pumpkin-flavored snacks? Well, pumpkin is a well-known seasonal flavor, I must confess, but this is no surprise, given that it has a nutty, slightly sweet taste.
Pumpkin-flavored snacks are delicious, there’s no doubt about that, but it is worth noting that quite a lot of these snacks are laced with unhealthy sugar and other ingredients that are harmful to the health.
But you don’t have to worry. Quite a number are tasty and nutritious. This article highlights healthy pumpkin-flavored snacks for your treat.
Pumpkin spice chocolate chip energy balls
Do you want something sweet through a midday slump? Then pumpkin spice chocolate chip energy balls are just right for you.
These balls differ greatly from energy bars because they are sweetened with dates compared to energy bars that are laced with artificial ingredients and added sugars. They also contain a lot of fiber and protein from oats, ground flax, and pumpkin seeds.
The pumpkin puree is a rich source of potassium, vitamin C, and magnesium and goes well with the mini chocolate chips and pumpkin pie spice used to round out the unique flavor profile of this great snack (1). Here’s the full recipe for pumpkin spice chocolate chip energy balls.
Pumpkin pie protein smoothie
There’s no better way to get nutritious ingredients into one “quick” snack than through the pumpkin pie protein smoothie.
Enriching your smoothie with proteins will fill you up and keep you satisfied between meals. It is also worth noting that protein suppresses certain hunger hormones and slows digestion (2, 3).
This fun-tasting smoothie is a unique combination of pumpkin puree, frozen banana, nutmeg, and cinnamon. The resulting mixture is a creamy delicacy that will topple any lover of pumpkin pie.
Also, protein powder and nut butter give you an energy boost throughout your day. If you want some more nutrition, add a handful of spinach to boost your vitamin C, folate, and carotenoid antioxidant intake (4, 5). Here’s the full recipe for pumpkin pie protein smoothie.
Pumpkin pie chia pudding
If you are on the lookout for a pumpkin-flavored dessert that’s free of sugar, then adding a pumpkin pie chia pudding to your menu plan won’t be a bad idea. It is loaded with healthy ingredients.
The major ingredient in this pudding is chia seeds. They are rich in fiber, protein, minerals, vitamins, and healthy fats (6).
Also, studies have shown that chia seeds have anti-inflammatory properties, and also help decrease high blood sugar levels and blood pressure (7, 8).
What’s more? It is a very simple recipe – quite easy to prepare. The only thing(s) you need are the ingredients, storage containers for preservation, and a blender. Here’s the full recipe for pumpkin pie chia pudding.
Paleo pumpkin spice muffins
The typical pumpkin spice muffins have high sugar content, with very low fiber and protein content. But then, you can make healthy and delicious pumpkin muffins by doing some swap on a few ingredients.
Increasing the protein and fiber content of your muffins makes it more filling and can reduce your hunger levels all day (9).
Coconut flavor is a major ingredient in this recipe. Why? Because it boosts the fiber content. Whole eggs enrich it with protein and fats.
So, you’re crazy about some sweet pumpkin-flavored snacks? Try out the paleo pumpkin spice muffins. Here’s the full recipe for paleo pumpkin spice muffins.
Creamy roasted pumpkin soup
Nothing’s as unique as a bowl of well-made pumpkin soup. It is a great choice to satisfy your craving for a healthy pumpkin-flavored snack.
Also, snacking on soups instead of calorie-rich foods like cookies or chips may help you eat lesser quantities at subsequent meals.
Studies have shown that eating soup before the main meals can reduce your intake of calories, which may help those who are watching their calorie intake (10, 11).
This recipe is a perfect combination of healthy ingredients like garlic, roasted pumpkin, onion, spices, and full-fat coconut milk resulting in a creamy and satisfying soup.
Preserve your soup in pre-portioned glass jars at work or home so you can have a healthy pumpkin-flavored snack handy when hunger strikes. Here’s the full recipe for creamy roasted pumpkin soup.
Vegan pumpkin hot chocolate
A cup of hot cocoa is a most comforting beverage, but then, most hot chocs are loaded with unhealthy ingredients such as high-fructose corn syrup.
But the good news is that a healthy hot cup of chocolate is simple to make, and you can do it very quickly. Also, the homemade version of hot chocolate allows you to add a variety of flavors to the mix – such as pumpkin.
Our recipe uses almond milk, pumpkin puree, cocoa powder, nutmeg, cinnamon, cloves, and maple syrup, giving you a great pumpkin flavored hot chocolate.
You’ll get an extra boost of minerals and vitamins from the pumpkin puree, while the cocoa is rich in flavonoid antioxidants, which can boost cognitive function (12). Here’s the full recipe for vegan pumpkin hot chocolate.
Pumpkin pie spiced pumpkin seeds
Pumpkin seeds are rich in nutrients, portable, and versatile. This makes them a great choice for healthy pumpkin-flavored snacks.
Pumpkin seeds are rich in magnesium, which plays very important roles in many body functions, such as blood sugar, muscle contraction, regulation of blood pressure, energy production, and maintenance of skeletal health (13, 14).
Even though pumpkin seeds are tasty when eaten plain, this recipe boosts their flavor by adding a tint of sweetness from maple syrup and a warm taste from pumpkin pie spice.
For a unique trail mix, try this snack plain or combine with unsweetened coconut or dried apples. Here’s the full recipe for pumpkin pie spiced pumpkin seeds.
Pumpkin pie overnight oats
Overnight oats are great for breakfast. They are typically eaten for breakfast, but they can also make a top-notch pumpkin-flavored snack.
People who easily get bored will be happy with overnight oats because it can be made with any ingredient, pumpkin included.
Pumpkin pie overnight oats are made with Greek yogurt, pumpkin puree, rolled oats, spices such as ground ginger, and chia seeds.
Adding Greek yogurt to this recipe increases its protein content that’s sure to keep you filled for hours. If you crave that extra snack, you could top your oats with dried fruit, unsweetened coconut, or chopped nuts (15). Here’s the full recipe for pumpkin pie overnight oats.
The conclusion
It is a known fact that many pumpkin-flavored snacks contain a lot of unhealthy ingredients. But not to worry, we’ve brought to your computer screen nutritious, home-made pumpkin-flavored snacks that you can add to your menu list.
Also, the recipes in this article are cheap, won’t drill a hole in your pocket, and also, are easy to make, even for the inexperienced chef. So, when next you crave pumpkin-flavored snacks, these great recipes got you covered.
Tonika Bruce, MSN, RN, MBA. is an accomplished nurse leader, published author, and personal development expert passionate about advancing healthcare management and quality patient outcomes.
She taps into the years of experience in healthcare management to produce credible and easy-to-understand health and leadership content. Her exceptional work has been featured in reputable publications, including Forbes, Recruiter, Inc, and the Color of Wellness magazine.
