Some days, and especially when it’s cold, I feel like having a Masala Chai. The spices are so warming and they’re so comforting… Since fall is pumpkin everything season, why not add pumpkin flavor to my Chai latte too. And since I’ve been obsessing for energy balls lately, why not make a pumpkin chai energy balls recipe, brilliant!
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Masala Chai
This traditional Indian beverage is made with black tea and spices. The most commonly used spices are cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, cloves and peppercorns but there are many modern varieties to this drink. In the ‘West’, it is often called Chai Latte and that’s how you’ve probably seen it at many coffee shops and restaurants.
‘Chai Latte’ literally means tea with milk and when you see it phrased as ‘Chai Tea’, they’re really saying tea tea. (Just a geeky tea note)
One of the modern variations, especially for fall is a pumpkin spice chai latte version. I’ve also seen rose chai latte, gingerbread chai latte, maple chai latte, etc. and although, slightly far from the traditional Masala Chai, trying out new flavors can be fun.
When it comes to drinking it, my favorite original and variations of Masala Chai are:
Original Masala Chai
Earl Grey Masala Chai
Darjeeling Masala Chai
Tulsi Masala Chai
Rose Chai and Punjaban Party
Try many- Masala Chai Sampler
(Find a promo code for all of these teas on my tea vault by subscribing to my blog here)
Pumpkin and Masala Chai is a combo that you can often see in baking recipes too, but there’s not really tea in most of them, just the spices. Some of the ones that I have in my list to try are chai pumpkin cake, pumpkin chai snickerdoodles, chai spice pumpkin coffee cake and chai pumpkin macarons.
Energy Balls Recipe and Notes
Energy Balls usually have a date and nut base and are a great source of fiber and healthy fats. I usually have some in the fridge all the time so it’s my go-to sweet snack, just have 1 or 2 and you’re done!
I’m obsessed with how easy, healthy and customizable they are. I love developing new recipes and mixing flavors, and since I’m all about tea, I will always try to add a tea flavor to them.
RELATED: If you like energy balls, you might also like my Hojicha Bliss Balls recipe!
For these energy balls to resemble masala chai, I used instant black tea. You can buy it or make it yourself. These are 2 options I would recommend: Chinese Black Tea Powder, and this Kenyan Black Tea Powder. If you want to DIY, I use this tea grinder, where you can use your own black tea leaves and make instant tea in a smaller scale.
Also, I prefer pumpkin butter over pumpkin puree to make pumpkin chai lattes, so I thought it could work the same way for the energy balls. Since pumpkin butter is already spiced, it works even better on this recipe. You can buy it canned (I use this one), or easily DIY.
I hope you enjoy this recipe and please tag me on @Instagram if you make it, I’d love to share it.
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Pumpkin Chai Latte Energy Balls
Ingredients
- 8 Medjool dates
- 1 cup Raw cashews
- 1 tsp Instant black tea
- 2 tsp Pumpkin butter
- 1 tsp Almond milk
- Spice Mix
Spice Mix
- 1/2 tsp Ground cardamom
- 1 tsp Ground ginger
- 1/4 tsp Ground nutmeg
- 1/2 tsp Cinnamon
Instructions
- Place the cashews in the food processor and pulse until ground. Add dates and pulse together until dates are chopped into small bits.
- Add all the rest of the ingredients to the food processor and pulse for about 30 seconds, until everything is well combined and a sticky large ball starts to form.
- Use a teaspoon to scoop out mixture and roll with your hands into small 1.5 inch balls. Store in an airtight container.
- Place the container in the freezer for about 15 minutes to make the balls firm. Enjoy!
Notes
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What do you think would be a good alternative to the cashews? I’m allergic to nuts but these sound too good!
Hi Haleigh! Well, I haven’t tested this but what I would probably do is replace the cashews with oats or sunflower seeds. The thing is that proportions might vary and oats can make it drier, so you might need to add more milk, 1 tsp at a time. If you do try it, please let me know!
Ok, I would probably do oats, thank you for the suggestions!! If I do try it this fall I will definitely let you know!!