These Pumpkin Energy Balls are easy to make with pecans, real pumpkin puree, nut butter, cozy fall spices and naturally sweetened with dates for the perfect healthy snack for on the go! Gluten-free, dairy-free, paleo, vegan and refined-sugar free.
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Updated October 2021
Easy Pumpkin Energy Balls recipe
Looking for an easy and healthy snack for fall? These Pumpkin Energy Balls are packed with cozy pumpkin spice, real pumpkin and wholesome gluten-free and dairy-free ingredients. They taste like dessert but are completely grain-free, paleo-friendly and a delicious option when you’re craving a slice of pumpkin pie.
Plus, they’re easy to make in just 10 minutes and are the perfect little pick-me-up before or after a workout. The best part is, you can easily make them ahead of time and pack them for on the go.
Store them in the fridge for whenever that 3pm snack craving hits or any time you need a healthy treat! These cozy little bites contain NO refined sugar but are still decadent enough to satisfy any sweet tooth cravings Plus they’re also gluten-free, vegan, dairy-free and loaded with protein and fiber!
What Are Energy Bites?
No bake energy bites or protein balls are portable, delicious bite-sized snacks that you roll into balls. Pumpkin energy balls are usually made with oats, nut or seed butter, sweetener, sometimes protein powder, plus any add-ins of your choice. Not only do they taste like dessert, but I love that you can customize them with the ingredients you have on hand.
The great thing about these healthy energy bites is that can make a double batch on your meal prep Sunday, store in your freezer to last you throughout the week.
Are Energy Balls Healthy?
Our no bake pumpkin energy balls are a great healthier treat option when enjoyed in moderation on a balanced diet. They’re made with wholesome ingredients and packed with fiber and protein, but sweet enough to satisfy that dessert craving.
They are refined sugar free, vegan, grain-free, paleo-friendly and and no added sugars.
What You’ll Need
All you need are just a few simple pantry ingredients that you can swap out according to what you’ve got.
- Almonds and Pecans: full of healthy fats, important minerals, calcium and potassium, this combination of nuts is the ultimate energy ball ingredients. If you’re not a fan of sliced almonds or pecans, you can sub with cashews, walnuts or macadamia nuts.
- Medjool Dates: You’ll need about 8 pitted dates.
- Natural cashew butter: We like to use an all natural no sugar-added cashew butter with just cashews. But you can also use any nut butter or seed butter you like. Almond butter, sunflower seed butter or pumpkin seed butter would be great options as well! Peanut butter is another great option if you’re not paleo.
- Flaked coconut: We like to use unsweetened coconut flakes for added sweetness, flavor and helps holds these little bites together. If you’re not a fan of coconut or have a coconut allergy, ground flax seeds, gluten-free rolled oats (if not paleo) will work as well.
- Pumpkin puree: be sure to use pure sugar free canned pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling) or homemade pumpkin puree. Be sure not to use canned pumpkin pie filling though since it’s packed with other sweeteners and fillers.
- Pumpkin spice: you can use our homemade pumpkin pie spice blend or you can grab a jar from any grocery store.
- Protein Powder: Optional for extra protein.We like this plant-based protein powder. If you’re not a fan of protein powder, sub with ground flaxseeds or ground hempseeds. We have not tested this with a Whey protein powder since we wanted to keep this bliss ball recipe vegan but feel free to do so if it fits with your dietary preference.
- Chocolate chips: We like to use dark dairy-free chocolate chips from Hu’s Kitchen, Lily’s Sweets or Pascha’s Organic (for sugar-free) but you can use chopped chocolate or any chocolate chips you like.
Optional add-ins / mix-ins of your choice:
- Vanilla extract – adds flavor and balances out the sweetness. Highly recommended.
- Pinch of fine sea salt – helps balance the sweetness and brings out the flavor of the peanut butter
- Chopped nuts and seeds – fold in some chopped pecans, slivered almonds, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, hemp seeds or ground flax seeds for extra protein and fiber.
How to make Pumpkin Energy Balls
- Add ingredients to a food processor: Add pecans, almonds, coconut flakes, dates, nut butter, pumpkin puree, vanilla, spices, and salt to a food processor.
- Process until smooth: Process ingredients until a sticky cookie dough forms. The dough should be pinch-able and stick together when you press it with your hands. Add more nuts or nut butter as needed to adjust the consistency and taste. Transfer the dough to a large bowl. F
- Stir in chocolate chips: Add the chocolate chips and mix to combine.
- Form balls: Roll dough into 1-inch balls. Press a few more chocolate chips or chopped pecans in each energy bite (to make them prettier), if desired.
- Chill and serve: Store in a resealable bag or airtight container in the fridge (for up to 1 week) or freezer for up to 3 months.
Variations
We make a few batches of Energy Bites every week and a few of our favorites include:
- Almond Joy Energy Bites
- Apple Cinnamon Energy Bites
- Banana Energy Bites
- Carrot Cake Energy Bites
- Coconut Energy Bites
- Cranberry Energy Bites
- Lemon Energy Bites
- Oatmeal Raisin Energy Bites
- Peanut Butter Energy Bites
Tips for Success
Want some extra advice for making no-bake pumpkin protein balls? I’ve got you covered with this list of tips and tricks.
- Heat Nut Butter: Your nut butter should be heated with 2 teaspoons of avocado or coconut oil to make it more liquidy – this is especially necessary if you’re using nut butter near the bottom of the jar. Different brands of nut butters yield slightly different consistencies and results, so adjust as needed. I like to go for organic and/or natural nut or seed butters.
- Pack & Roll: After you scoop out the dough, roll your vegan energy balls tightly into 1 to 1.5-inch balls. This is about 1 to 2 tablespoons of dough.
- Dough Not Sticking? If your dough is too dry, simply add more liquid ingredients (nut butter, sweetener, oil), a little bit at a time. If it’s still having trouble sticking to itself, chill it for about 20 minutes prior to forming the balls. This should help bring it to the proper texture. You can also slightly wet your hands while rolling to help it stick, if needed.
Substitutions
Wondering what works well as ingredient substitutions? Once again, I’ve got you covered!
- Instead of Coconut: You can use ground flaxseeds, almond meal, gluten-free rolled oats, hemp seeds or chia seeds instead for that extra boost.
- Don’t like almonds: Sub with cashews, walnuts, pumpkin seeds or Macadamia nuts.
Storage Instructions
How to Store:
You don’t actually have to store these no bake pumpkin protein bites in the refrigerator, but I think they are even more delicious when they’re chilled, so I highly recommend it! Keeping them in the fridge also prevents them from getting too soft or mushy.
Store these vegan pumpkin energy bites in an airtight container in one layer (or use parchment paper to separate layers).
How long:
They’ll stay good for 3 days on the counter at room temperature or up to a week in the refrigerator. Keeping them in the fridge prevents them from getting too soft or mushy.
Can I Freeze No Bake Energy Bites?
Absolutely. These healthy energy balls are the perfect make-ahead recipe!
How to freeze:
Place them on a baking sheet and put them in the freezer for about 30 minutes to flash-freeze. Transfer the balls to freezer-friendly bags, squeeze out all the air and seal.
Freeze for up to 3 months and thaw overnight in the fridge or for about 5-10 minutes at room temperature before enjoying.
More healthy no bake snack recipes:
These Pumpkin Energy Balls are easy to make with pecans, real pumpkin puree, nut butter, cozy fall spices and naturally sweetened with dates for the perfect healthy snack for on the go! Gluten-free, dairy-free, paleo, vegan and refined-sugar free.
- 1/2 cup pecans
- 1/2 cup sliced almonds
- 1/3 cup unsweetened coconut flakes
- 1 cup medjool dates , tightly packed (about 14 dates)
- 1/4 cup creamy unsalted cashew butter , or any nut butter / seed butter of choice
- ¼ cup pumpkin puree , not pumpkin pie filling
- 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 teaspoons pumpkin spice , or sub with 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1/8 teaspoon ground ginger, 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg and 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1 tablespoon vanilla or plain plant-based protein powder , we like this plant-based protein powder. If you’re not a fan of protein powder, sub with ground flaxseeds or ground hempseeds.
- ¼ teaspoon fine sea salt
- 3 tablespoon dairy-free mini chocolate chips + more for pressing
- 1/2 tablespoon chopped pecans , for pressing
Add pecans, almonds, coconut flakes, dates, nut butter, pumpkin puree, vanilla, spices, protein powder (if using) and salt to a food processor.
Process ingredients until a sticky cookie dough forms. The dough should be pinch-able and stick together when you press it with your hands. Add more nuts or nut butter as needed to adjust the consistency and taste.
Transfer the dough to a large bowl. Fold in mini chocolate chips and mix to combine.
Roll dough into 1-inch balls. Press a few more chocolate chips or chopped pecans in each energy bite (to make them prettier), if desired.
Store in a resealable bag or airtight container in the fridge (for up to 1 week) or freezer for up to 3 months.
How to store:
Store these vegan pumpkin energy bites in an airtight container in one layer (or use parchment paper to separate layers).
They'll stay good for 3 days on the counter at room temperature or up to a week in the refrigerator. Keeping them in the fridge prevents them from getting too soft or mushy.
How to freeze:
Place them on a baking sheet and put them in the freezer for about 30 minutes to flash-freeze. Transfer the balls to freezer-friendly bags, squeeze out all the air and seal.
Freeze for up to 3 months and thaw overnight in the fridge or for about 5-10 minutes at room temperature before enjoying.
