No-bake Pumpkin Fruit and Nut Lactation Bites

Quick, delicious and healthy. These lactation bites are packed with pumpkin, dried fruit, nuts and cacao powder.

Now that I’m nine months pregnant, I am experimenting with quick and healthy recipes for dinner and snacks. These no-bake lactation bites will be a staple in our kitchen for months to come! While the ingredients were selected to promote lactation, the recipe comes together in minutes to easily serve as a healthy alternative to energy bars that the whole family can enjoy.

Recipe

No-bake Pumpkin Fruit and Nut Lactation Bites

Yields 16 Bites

Ingredients

• 2 cups old fashioned oats

• 1/4 cup ground flax seeds

• 3/4 cup walnuts

• 1 (16 oz) can pumpkin puree

• 10 whole pitted dates

• 1/2 cup whole dried apricots

• 5 dried figs

• 2 tablespoons Pumpkin Pie Spice

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• 1 pinch Salt

• 2 tablespoons maple syrup

• 3 tablespoons unsweetened cacao powder

Method

In a medium mixing bowl, add the following dry ingredients: oats, flax seeds, pumpkin pie spice, salt, cacao powder. Whisk to combine.

To a food processor, add walnuts. Pulse to process into pieces, maintaining whole halves and large pieces for texture and crunch. Add to dry ingredients. Stir to combine.

To a food processor, add dates, apricots and figs. Process until fruit is chopped but still chunky. Add to dry ingredients. Stir to combine.

To a food processor, add all wet ingredients: pumpkin purée, vanilla extract and maple syrup. Process to fully incorporate. Add to dry ingredients. Stir to combine.

Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper. Roll dough into ball shapes. Arrange on parchment paper and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or enjoy immediately.