No Bake Pumpkin Protein Balls

Thankfully, healthy snacks do exist. These pumpkin protein balls will not only satisfy your sweet tooth, but also deliver a nutrient-packed punch of protein, healthy fat and fibre. The best part? They're incredibly easy to make.

Jump to:

• Why should you try this recipe?
• Ingredients
• Recipe Variations
• Instructions
• Equipment
• FAQs
• How To Serve
• Similar Recipes
• No Bake Pumpkin Protein Balls

Why should you try this recipe?

Here's why you'll love these pumpkin protein balls:

• They're tasty. I have always been a snacker. And, truth be told, healthy snacks can sometimes feel a little less than satisfying. While I love veggies and green juice, there are afternoons where my sweet tooth demands a little bit more attention. That's why I adore no bake pumpkin energy balls. They're a little sweet and a little savoury.
• They're nutrient packed. As an avid snacker, I'm always looking for options that satisfy both my cravings and my body's need for nutrients. What I love about protein bites (which can also be known as energy balls, fat balls, energy bites or fat bombs) is that they provide a balance of the macronutrients our body needs to function - carbs, protein and healthy fats. That means, they'll leave you energized and ready to take on the day.
• They're a good source of plant-based protein. These pumpkin protein balls are filled with nuts and seeds, which are protein-rich and full of flavour.
• They're a good source of healthy fat. As a general rule of thumb you want to: 1) steer clear of trans fats; 2) moderate saturated fats; and, 3) load up on unsaturated fats (aka the "good fat"). Nuts and seeds are a major source of good fats - both poly and monounsaturated fats - and they also happen to be the key ingredient in energy balls. But, why are the good fats so good for you? Well, for one, they're a major source of energy and will keep you feeling fuller for longer than carbs. At a more cellular level, they help you absorb vitamins and minerals, build membranes around your cells, and create sheaths around your nerves. And, that hardly scratches the surface. The bottom line is, fat is your friend, and so is the no bake pumpkin protein ball.

Ingredients

• Unsweetened pumpkin puree: Be sure to buy a can of pumpkin puree, not pumpkin pie mix. The first is 100% pumpkin, the second is a sugary mix used to make homemade pumpkin pie.
• Unsalted, raw cashews, almonds, pumpkin seeds, walnuts, sunflower seeds and ground flaxseed: These ingredients add the bulk of the protein in this recipe. They also add healthy fat, fiber, and omega 3 fatty acids. Make sure you use raw, unsalted nuts. You also need to use ground flaxseed, not whole flaxseeds.
• Coconut shreds: Coconut is a healthy source of fats and fiber. It also adds flavour to this recipe.
• Coconut butter: Adds moisture and helps the energy bites stick together.
• Ginger, cinnamon, allspice, nutmeg:  Cinnamon brings the sweet and spicy, nutmeg brings the pungency. If you're looking to turn up the flavour, consider adding cardamom, ginger or cloves, which all pair well with these spices. 
• Medjool dates: These are a natural sweetener and also a glue that keeps the protein bites stuck together. Medjool dates are larger, darker, and more caramel-like in taste than other types of dates, so, they're my favourite for this recipe. But, you can swap for another variety if that's what you have at home.
• Cacao nibs: Add chocolate-y goodness to this recipe. And they deliver health benefits.
• Sea salt: Brings out the natural flavours in the rest of the ingredients.
• Cashew milk: Adds moisture and helps the mix blend smoothly.
• Protein powder (optional): To up the protein content further, you can add half a scoop of vanilla or chocolate protein powder in this recipe. I prefer chocolate because it pairs nicely with the cacao nibs. Use a vegan protein powder to keep this recipe plant-based.

Recipe Variations

• No bake energy balls are easily customizable. As long as you're using a mixture of sticky (usually dried fruits), crunchy (mostly nuts & seeds) and creamy (nut butters & coconut oil) ingredients, they're going to turn out alright. That means, you can feel confident swapping out any of my ingredients for something you like a little more.
• Feel free to decorate. I rolled mine in almond flour. It makes the protein balls look nice and adds more nutrients. You can also roll in coconut flakes, chia seeds, hemp seeds, maca powder, or cocoa powder.
• Add more sweetness. One of the easiest customizations is to turn up the sweetness. These energy bites are sweetened naturally with Medjool dates and cacao nibs. If they aren't to the satisfaction of your sweet tooth, add another date, or more cacao nibs for that chocolate-y crunch. You can also add a natural sweetener like maple syrup.
• Swap cashew milk. You can use any dairy or non-dairy milk in its place.

Instructions

• Start by combining all of the dry ingredients except the cacao nibs (this means all ingredients except the hemp milk and coconut butter) into a food processor.
• Process dry ingredients for 1 minute until a crumbly dough has formed.

• Next, add your coconut butter and cashew milk.
• Process for an additional 1 ½ minutes until well processed. I like my fat balls kind of chunky. If you want them smoother process for a longer amount of time.
• Add cacao nibs and fold them into the dough with a spoon.

• Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Roll dough into balls (or use a cookie scoop) and place them on the parchment paper.
• If you want them to look pretty, you can optionally roll them in hemp seeds, chia seeds, coconut flour, sugar, or anything else fine enough to stick to their surface.
• Place tray in freezer and freeze until solid. Then transfer to airtight container.

• Enjoy by removing from freezer and thawing slightly. 

Recipe Notes

• The ingredients should form a sticky dough once processed in the food processor. If you're struggling to get the ingredients to stick together, simply add moisture. Add 1-2 teaspoons of water, almond milk or melted coconut oil and then process again. The additional moisture should allow the ingredients to fully combine. If you can pinch the dough together and it sticks, you’re golden.
• Pumpkin puree and pumpkin pie mix are different. You can find both canned pumpkin puree and pumpkin pie mix in the baking aisle at your grocery store. The mix is a pumpkin pie filling that's filled with refined sugar. The puree is generally labeled "organic pumpkin" or "100% pure pumpkin."

How To Store

• Fridge: Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. 
• Freezer: Store in an airtight container in the freezer for up to three months.

Equipment

Just like a smoothie or nut butter, no pumpkin spice protein balls are incredibly easy to make if you have the right tools in your kitchen. In this case, I consider those to be:

• A food processor (required): Ultimately, you need to have a blade that can chop through fruit and nuts, while ensuring your ingredients don't get stuck to the bottom of the jar, like they would with a blender. That's where the food processor comes in. I have the Breville now, but started with a less expensive model that worked just fine for energy bites.
• A cookie scoop (nice to have): I also find a cookie scoop is incredibly helpful for making the energy bites that "perfect circle". It's a cheap buy and makes the process quick and easy.

FAQs

Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about pumpkin spice protein balls.

How To Serve

Now that you have these delicious, protein pumpkin bites, it’s time to build the perfect meal with them. Here are a few delicious options.

• Pairing the protein bite with a warm drink. I've shared my favourite recipes with you below.
• Adding a little “icing”. I suggest drizzling almond butter, coconut yogurt or coconut whip cream on top of the ball. You can find my homemade almond butter recipe here. 

Similar Recipes

Still hungry? If you enjoyed this recipe for pumpkin protein balls, I invite you to check out my collection of other healthy dessert recipes or check out the pumpkin-flavoured treats that I hand selected for you below.

If you make these protein pumpkin balls, please consider leaving a star rating and a comment. Don't forget to tag @caiteyjay on Instagram or @caiteyjay on Pinterest so I can see your creations.

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