These No-Bake Pumpkin Balls make an easy Fall treat! With just a little prep and no blending needed, these flavorful energy bites are perfect for snacks, packed lunches, and even on-the-go breakfasts!
Get into the Fall feeling any time of year! These Pumpkin Energy Bites are high in flavor and protein and perfect for adding to packed lunches. Grab them as a quick snack after a workout or a make-ahead breakfast.
I love how simple and easy this recipe is! It's a great way to use up canned pumpkin, and since the ingredients are just mixed up in a bowl you won't have to dirty up your blender or food processor.
Another thing I love about this recipe is that it's so kid-friendly. (Yes, even my picky kid keeps asking for more!) Not only does it make a healthy snack that little ones love, but it's also a great way to get them involved in the kitchen. Enjoy!
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Ingredient notes
- rolled oats -- I have tried these with quick oats, and I didn't like the texture as much, but they would work in a pinch.
- pumpkin puree -- Be sure you are using canned pureed pumpkin (not canned pumpkin pie mix, which has a lot of other ingredients).
- maple syrup -- For natural sweetness and flavor.
- almond butter -- For flavor, protein, and helping hold it all together.
- hemp hearts -- For extra protein and texture. Coarsely chopped nuts or sunflower seeds would work as a swap in a pinch.
- ground flax seed -- Be sure to use milled or ground flax seed (as opposed to whole flax seeds. You can swap this for vegan protein powder if you want to make pumpkin protein balls.
- pumpkin spice -- For that yummy pumpkin pie flavor. If you don't have any on hand, you can make your own with ingredients in your spice cabinet.
- cinnamon -- For extra flavor.
- salt -- Just a bit of salt to enhance the other flavors.
- vegan chocolate chips-- Feel free to swap these out for your favorite add-in! Raisins, craisins, chopped walnuts or pecans, would all be great!
See recipe card for quantities.
Instructions
Here are step-by-step instructions with photos.
Add the oats, hemp hearts, milled flax seed, pumpkin spice, cinnamon, and salt to a mixing bowl. Whisk to combine.
Add the pumpkin puree, maple syrup, and almond butter to the bowl. Mix to combine.
Add the chocolate chips and mix to incorporate.
Press the mixture down in the bowl.
Chill the mixture in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes.
To roll the balls, take 1.5 to 2 tablespoons of the mixture. Press it into a ball and use the palms of your hands to roll it smooth. Repeat until all of the mixture has been used. This should make about 16 to 20 balls.
Place the balls in a single layer on a plate or tray. Chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour. Serve and enjoy or store in an airtight container for up to a week!
Hint: Rolling the balls is fun but messy! Don't worry about cleaning your hands in between. Just go for it and wash up at the end. PS -- This can be a fun way to get little ones interested in cooking!
Variations
Change things up by swapping the chocolate chips for your favorite add-ins. Want even more no-bake treats? Here are more delicious bliss ball recipes!
- Girl Scout Cookie Bliss Balls - Three of your favorite flavors in bliss ball form!
- No-Bake Brownie Pretzel Bites - A flavor combo, you've got to try!
- No-Bake Carrot Cake Bites - Perfect for Easter or any time of year!
Equipment
For this recipe, you'll need a mixing bowl and a plate or container to chill the pumpkin balls.
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How to serve
Serve these delicious pumpkin bliss balls as healthy snacks, desserts, or even breakfast bites. They're high in protein and also make a great post-workout snack.
Storage
Store the pumpkin bites in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week.
Top tip
Don't skip chilling the mixture before forming the balls! The ingredients need time to rest before they'll stick together!
FAQ
In testing this recipe, I tried it with quick oats and I didn't like the texture as much. In a pinch, it would work, but I prefer regular rolled oats.
Chocolate chips are generally not WFPB, but you could substitute with any number of add-ins, including raisins, walnuts, or pecans.
More vegan pumpkin recipes
📖 Recipe
No-Bake Pumpkin Balls
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1.5 cups rolled oats
- 2 tablespoons hemp hearts
- 1 tablespoon ground flax seed
- 2 teaspoons pumpkin spice
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie mix)
- ¼ cup maple syrup
- 2 tablespoons almond butter
- ¼ cup vegan chocolate chips
Instructions
- Add the oats, hemp hearts, milled flax seed, pumpkin spice, cinnamon, and salt to a mixing bowl. Whisk to combine.
- Add the pumpkin puree, maple syrup, and almond butter to the bowl. Mix to combine.
- Add the chocolate chips and mix to incorporate. Press the mixture down in the bowl.
- Chill the mixture in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes.
- To roll the balls, take 1.5 to 2 tablespoons of the mixture. Press it into a ball and use the palms of your hands to roll it smooth. Repeat until all of the mixture has been used. This should make about 16 to 20 balls.
- Place the balls in a single layer on a plate or tray. Chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour. Serve and enjoy or store in an airtight container for up to a week!
Notes
- This recipe makes 16 to 20 balls, depending on how big you roll them.
- Nutritional info is an estimate based on 18 equally sized balls.
- Don't skip the chilling steps! This will help the mixture to stick together properly.
Nutrition
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Barb says
Yay! My first pumpkin-y recipe of the season. But how anyone ends up with 16 - 20 of these is beyond me, as I started eating the mix right out of the bowl, it's so good. It was also easy to swap out certain ingredients for what I had on hand: crunchy peanut butter for almond butter, chopped walnuts for hemp hearts, and currents for chocolate chips. Thank you for a great & adaptable recipe!
Julianne Lynch says
Hi Barb,
I'm so glad you liked them! The number you end up with will be different depending on the size. If you like them on the bigger side, there won't be as many.