These delicious truffles don’t just taste great; they work at a cellular level to boost immunity, improve mood, and keep you feeling your best – especially during the holidays. Add them in your menu this season for a guilt-free way to enjoy festive flavors.

Enjoy every bite this holiday season by focusing on flavoirs, not overindulgence.

Mindful eating makes every treat more satisfying.

Pumpkin : A Nutrient-Dense Powerhouse

Pumpkin isn’t just for Halloween. It’s loaded with vitamin A, fiber, and magnesium – nutrients that help your immune system and keep your energy levels up. Whether you roast it, blend it into a soup, or add it to your holiday baking, pumpikin is a versatile superfood that helps keep you feeling great.

And what about walnuts ?

Well, walnuts are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which are great for keeping your heart healthy – perfect for balancing out holiday treats. They also have antioxidants that protect your cells. You can snack on a handful of walnuts, add them to a salad, or use them in holiday baking for a heart-healthy crunch.

The Science

Pumpkin is particularly rich in beta-carotene, a precursor of vitamin A, which not only supports immune function by enhancing T-cell activity but also plays a role in maintaining epithelial tissue integrity, which is essential for respiratory health.

The high fiber content of pumpkins contains both soluble and insoluble fibers, which help with gut motility and the production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) by the gut microbiota, which are essential for gut health and reducing inflammation. Pumpkin seeds also contain L-tryptophan, an amino acid that acts as a precursor to serotonin, contributing to mood stability.

Walnuts are one of the few nuts rich in alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), a plant-based omega-3 fatty acid that has been shown to reduce the production of pro-inflammatory markers like C-reactive protein (CRP). They also contain polyphenols, particularly ellagitannins, which are metabolized by the gut microbiota into uroluthins – compounds known to have a potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.

These compounds help reduce oxidative stress and pormote antophagy. This process helps clear out damaged cells, crucial for preventing neurodegenerative diseases.

Let’s make these delicious truffles

With just six ingredients, we blend pumpkin purée with chopped walnuts and ground almonds for a creamy, fiber-rich base, brighten it with orange zest, then fold in 85% dark chocolate and finish with a light cacao dusting. These no-bake Chocolate Pumpkin & Orange Truffles are naturally sweet, gluten-free with a vegan option, and perfect for make-ahead gifting, lunchboxes, or a quick holiday dessert.

Chocolate Pumpkin & Orange Truffles

These no-bake Chocolate Pumpkin & Orange Truffles blend velvety dark chocolate with creamy pumpkin purée and bright orange zest for a festive, better-for-you treat – naturally sweet, meal-prep friendly, and easy to make gluten-free or dairy-free.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

30 minutes mins

Total Time 40 minutes mins

Course Dessert, Snacks

Cuisine French

Servings 12 truffles

Calories 65 kcal

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 4 oz (115g) pumpkin puree
• 2 oz (60g) chopped walnuts
• 4 tbsp ground almonds
• 1 tsp orange zest
• 2 oz (60g) dark chocolate (vegan or regular, 85% cocoa or higher)
• 1 tsp cacao powder (for dusting)

Instructions

 

• Mix pumpkin puree, chopped walnuts, ground almonds and orange zest in a bowl until well combined.
• Roll the mixture into small balls and place them on a lined tray.
• Melt the dark chocolate on a stovetop or microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring until smooth.
• Dip each truffle ball into the melted chocolate to coat, then dust with cacao powder while still soft.
• Chill in the fridge for 30 minutes to set.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serveCalories: 65kcalCarbohydrates: 4gProtein: 1gFat: 5g

Keyword Dairy free, Gluten free, Low carb, Meal prep, Nuts, Vegetarian

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