These no-bake pumpkin protein balls are super easy to make in under 10 minutes. Made with 6 simple ingredients like pumpkin puree, oats, with protein powder, and vanilla and naturally sweetened with maple syrup or honey. Vegan and gluten-free!
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Jump to:
- Why You Should Make These Healthy & Delicious Pumpkin Energy Bites
- Dry Ingredients and Wet Ingredients You Need
- Variations for Making Protein Pumpkin Balls
- How to Make Pumpkin Spice Energy Balls
- How to Store Pumpkin Protein Balls
- Expert Tips
- Other Delicious Pumpkin Recipe Ideas to Try!
- Pumpkin Protein Balls
Why You Should Make These Healthy & Delicious Pumpkin Energy Bites
Here are the top 5 reasons you should make this pumpkin protein ball recipe:
- Customizable: You can use a fall spice blend or cinnamon. Can also be made gluten-free by using gluten-free rolled oats. Make without nuts by using seed butter.
- Healthy snack your entire family will love. These pumpkin protein balls are great for your teen's lunch or meal prep to take to work. Kids will love to have these yummy bites in their lunchbox!
- Quick and easy no-bake snack to make in just about 10 minutes. Energy bites are one of the easiest snacks to prep for busy weekdays ahead - just like our monster protein balls or mini pumpkin muffin recipe!
- Delicious little bite if you have a sweet tooth!
- Great post-workout snack (just like our birthday cake protein bites.)
Dry Ingredients and Wet Ingredients You Need
Here are the ingredients you need to make this recipe. Reference the recipe card at the bottom for exact measurements and the notes below for substitution ideas.
What kind of oats should I use?
Rolled oats provide structure for these pumpkin protein bites. Substitute old-fashioned oats with steel-cut oats, quick oats, gluten-free oatmeal, or use oat flour for a smoother texture.
Do I need protein to make energy bites?
Vanilla protein powder gives these energy bites extra grams of protein. I use my favorite vanilla protein powder, Orgain (a plant-based protein powder). It has stevia, giving the protein bites a sweet flavor.
You can use unsweetened protein powder or make them without protein powder.
Can I use any nut butter?
Creamy almond butter helps to bind the pumpkin spice protein balls together. You can also use cashew butter, creamy peanut butter, or sun butter.
You may substitute almond butter with cashew, peanut, or sunflower seed butter if you prefer.
Should I use canned pumpkin or pumpkin pie filling?
Real pumpkin puree provides moisture and the delicious pumpkin flavor in these pumpkin energy balls. Select puree rather than pie filling.
What is the best sweetener for making pumpkin protein balls?
Raw honey, pure maple syrup, agave nectar, or your favorite liquid sweetener helps to make this perfect fall snack taste like little bites of pumpkin pie!
What should I use to increase the warm pumpkin spice flavor?
Cinnamon provides a warm, spiced flavor. Try pumpkin spice for even more fall flavors.
Vanilla extract also helps to bring a warm flavor to these bites.
Variations for Making Protein Pumpkin Balls
- Add chia seeds for a boost of healthy fats like Omega-3s.
- Make them into pumpkin spice protein bars!
- Stir in mini chocolate chips for a delicious flavor combo (just like our pumpkin bread!)
- To make these low-carb and with no oats, omit oats and increase the amount of protein powder or add in some almond flour. Use a no-added sugar liquid sweetener like stevia or monk fruit sweetener.
- Make them without nut butter and no nuts by substituting sunflower seed butter.
- Add in your other favorite mix-ins such as chopped pecans, pumpkin seeds, ground flaxseed, toasted coconut flakes, or a pinch of sea salt.
How to Make Pumpkin Spice Energy Balls
Below are step-by-step instructions for how to cook this recipe with the best results. The recipe card at the bottom shows the exact cooking time and temperatures.
Step 1
Combine all of the ingredients in a large mixing bowl. You could also use a food processor.
Step 2
Use a small cookie scoop to scoop out about 24 small bites onto a plate or baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Roll the bites into smooth balls and freezer for 10 minutes to set.
How to Store Pumpkin Protein Balls
- Store at room temperature for up to 3 days in an airtight container.
- To store longer, refrigerate the balls in an airtight container or wrapped tightly with plastic wrap.
- To freeze, place the balls onto a baking sheet. Freeze for one hour and then move to a freezer-safe container and store in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Expert Tips
- If this mixture is too dry or crumbling, add in additional pumpkin puree or a drizzle of almond milk.
- If the mixture is too wet, add in additional oats or protein powder.
- Thoroughly mix the oat mixture and use a small scoop to make the balls.
- If you love this recipe be sure to try cake mix pumpkin cookies, energy balls with dates, gluten-free pumpkin bread, Starbucks pumpkin muffins, homemade perfect bars, or more pumpkin protein recipes!
Other Delicious Pumpkin Recipe Ideas to Try!
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Pumpkin Protein Balls
Ingredients
- 1 cup rolled oats gluten free if desired
- 2 scoops vanilla protein powder
- 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
- ½ cup almond butter
- ⅓ cup pumpkin puree
- ¼ cup raw honey sub maple syrup for vegan
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a large bowl.1 cup rolled oats, 2 scoops vanilla protein powder, 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice, ½ cup almond butter, ⅓ cup pumpkin puree, ¼ cup raw honey
- Using a small cookie scoop, scoop out approximately 24 small balls. Use your hands to roll and place on a plate. Freeze for 10 minutes.
Notes
- To make these pumpkin protein balls with no peanut butter substitute almond butter, sunbutter, cashew butter or whichever your preference is.
- You can make these with no oats to make them low carb, however you may want to add in more protein powder if there is too much moisture.
- Mix-ins ideas: Add in chocolate chips, chopped pecans, toasted coconut flakes or your favorite seed.
- Storage: Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. You can also freeze them and store them in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months.
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Kim says
Such a great, easy recipe for a healthy snack! I had to improvise, tho. I didn’t have pumpkin purée but I did have fresh hachiya persimmon pulp. I used that instead with clove, ginger, cinnamon and cardamom. Delicious way to use my pulp. Thank you!
Lyndsey Piccolino says
Thanks so much for your review Kim! I'm so glad you liked them.
Katie says
Hi! Do you know the nutrition facts on this recipe?
Lyndsey Piccolino says
Hello! Nutrition is listed in the bottom of the recipe card.
Rose says
These turned out great. I made them with maple syrup (instead of honey). I added in chia seeds, a bit of shredded coconut, a few mini chocolate chips, and the dregs of a bag of chopped pecans. It took a little extra pumpkin to compensate for all the add-ins. The flavor is really good, although the protein after taste is strong (I used 2 scoops of OWYN vanilla plant protein). I might use a little less next time.
Lyndsey Piccolino says
So glad you liked these Rose! Thanks for your comment and review!
Trish says
Can I use soaked dates instead of honey or syrup?
Lyndsey Piccolino says
I haven't tried it but it sounds like it would work!
MarKie says
Can you do this without the protein powder? I'm lactose intolerant but they sound so good
Lyndsey Piccolino says
I use vegan protein powder!
Katie says
Hi - I used a vegan protein powder (whey/dairy free) called No Cow!
Jill says
How much protein powder is two scoops? Tablespoons/cups, etc....I have a different protein powder that I already have on hand and would like to try, but if the scoops are different sizes, I don't want them to come out too dry or too wet. Thank you!
Lyndsey Piccolino says
I would try 1/4 cup and then adjust up if they are too wet. If you are using different ingredients maybe just start with a little and add as needed.
LornaRN says
I love the sound of your recipe. I clicked on the vanilla protein powder you use as I need to buy some. I noticed the same company makes a pumpkin spice protein powder. Do you think that would be too much pumpkin spice if I use it in this recipe? I absolutely love pumpkin pie spice.
Thank you!
Lyndsey Piccolino says
Hi Lorna, I haven't tried pumpkin spice protein powder in them. But if you do want to try it, you could always dial back the pumpkin pie spice. Let me know how it goes!
Valerie Robinson says
Can you sub the honey? I can’t have honey.
Lyndsey Piccolino says
Sure - maple syrup will work too.
Julie says
Delish! Thanks for the great recipe!!
Heather P says
How much Sugar in one?
Lyndsey Piccolino says
When I used an online calculator it said 3 grams per ball. But, this may be different depending on what type of protein powder you use and if it has sugar or not. Hope that helps!
Caro says
This is the exact recipe I had in mind but, I was wondering if I could omit the nut butter, and what do you think I would have to add more of to balance the recipe or do you think it would work just fine without it? Thanks so much, lmk I'm excited to try this 🙂
Lyndsey says
the nut butter is a pretty big component to keep them held together. I personally wouldn't substitute it for something else unless you have an allergy and then maybe try sun butter? Sorry I couldn't be of more help!
Julie says
I used Sunbutter and it had the perfect consistency!
Michelle Bowen says
Hi there!
How do you store these and for how long?
Lyndsey says
I usually store them in the fridge for up to 4 days. You can freeze them too - up to 3 months in a freezer-safe container!
Jessica Verly says
I just made a batch and the batter was soft and not easy to ball.
mommafitpgh@gmail.com says
the kind of protein you use definitely impacts it! I've found traditional whey powder to work the best. I used collagen powder and it was the same. Also - try less pumpkin if your pumpkin is runny.
Whittnie says
Hi! What can I use in replacement of the protein powder? I don’t have any but these sound delicious!
Lyndsey Piccolino says
You could try oat flour!
Jessica sims says
How many calories are in this and protein per ball? How many should one consume? 2 or 3
mommafitpgh@gmail.com says
It really depends on your protein! Depending on what protein you use will determine how many calories are in each one. I would estimate servings to be 2 for a snack portion and calories to be around 140 per two balls. Protein will depend on which protein you select. Hope that helps!
Sarah says
What is 1.5 Serving size protein powder? (In cups/tablespoons) thx
mommafitpgh@gmail.com says
it depends on which protein powder you use. the one I use one serving is 2 scoops but some are just one. Check the label on your protein powder and then multiple by 1.5