These easy, cakey Pumpkin Pie Protein No-Bake Bites have the flavor of pumpkin pie, but are secretly packed with protein and fiber! Vegan, gluten-free, paleo, and kid-friendly.
I have this thing for bites that taste like cake. And I don't even love cake.
I think it's more of a texture thing. When it comes to desert, I would take chocolate (pie, cookies, tort, brownies, whatever) over white cake any day. It just doesn't do it for me. But that light and fluffy cakey texture...sign me up, baby!
Coconut flour is unique because not only does it lends that fabulous cakiness to sweets, but it's also LOADED with fiber, low in fat, and naturally slightly sweet. Coconut flour is basically a gift from the baking gods. Or the no-baking gods?
Most no-bake bites are loaded with nuts, which I totally adore. But....BUT, when you're being attacked by your sweet teeth and one bite won't cut it, it's nice to have a low-fat version made without nuts that allows you to eat, oh I don't know...half the batch. Doesn't that sound fun?
As cakey as it can be, it sure does need a lot of moisture. These pumpkin pie protein no-bake bites are adapted from my favorite lemon coconut no-bake bites, which use applesauce and almond milk for moisture as well. I got my coconut flour for super cheap at Trader Joe's. Since they all differ, you may need to add a bit more coconut flour or almond milk to get the right texture. They shouldn't taste dry, but they shouldn't be too wet, either!
Wondering which protein powder to use? I used Vega Vanilla Protein + Greens as my plant-powered protein of choice in this recipe. You can also easily make this recipe without protein powder by using the alternate recipe listed below.
Got leftover pumpkin? I know you're using them in this pumpkin pie smoothie or these paleo pumpkin bars!
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Pumpkin Pie Protein No-Bake Bites
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 0 min
- Total Time: 10 mins
- Yield: 12-15 bites 1x
- Category: Snacks
- Method: No Bake
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegan
Description
These easy, cakey Pumpkin Pie Protein No-Bake Bites have the flavor of pumpkin pie, but are secretly packed with protein and fiber! Vegan, gluten-free, paleo, and kid-friendly.
Ingredients
For the protein powder version:
- 9 Medjool dates, pitted (place in bowl of warm water if hard and dry)
- ½ cup unsweetened applesauce
- 3 tbsp pumpkin puree (canned pumpkin)
- ¼ cup almond milk
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
- ½ cup coconut flour
- 1 scoop (30g) vanilla brown rice protein powder (I like Vega Vanilla Protein + Greens)
- 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
- ½ tsp cinnamon
- 2 tbsp cacao nibs or chocolate chips (optional)
For the non-protein powder version:
- 12 Medjool dates, pitted (place in bowl of warm water if hard and dry)
- ½ cup unsweetened applesauce
- 3 tbsp pumpkin puree (canned pumpkin)
- 2 tbsp almond milk
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
- ½ cup coconut flour
- 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
- ½ tsp cinnamon
- 2 tbsp cacao nibs or chocolate chips (optional)
Instructions
- Place dates, applesauce, pumpkin, almond milk, and vanilla in a large food processor. Blend until pureed, scraping down the sides as needed.
- Add coconut flour, brown rice protein (is using first recipe), pumpkin pie spice, and cinnamon. Blend until a ball of "dough" forms. If it's too wet, add a bit more coconut flour. If it's too dry, add a bit more almond milk.
- Stir in cacao nibs. Roll into 12-15 bites.
- Store in the refrigerator or freezer.
ANna says
tried the no protein powder version and it was too wet. Added more coconut flour twice and it was still too wet. I'm putting it in the oven to try to save it a little. The flavor with out chocolate chips wasn't very tasty in my opinion. Fine, but not great. I don't think I'll be making it again. I love the idea of incorporating pumpkin into the no bake bites though.
Alexis Joseph says
Hey Anna, I'm sorry to hear these weren't for you. I've found the absorbency of coconut flour can vary greatly across brands. If it's really wet and you need to use a lot more coconut flour to get the texture right, I could see that diluting the flavor. If you try them again, you could do less applesauce and up the spices.
Rose says
Just made these and used the vegan protein version. I was pleasantly surprised at the light pumpkin flavor and airy texture of these fall festive balls. Thank you for sharing this vegan recipe.
Alexis Joseph says
Of course, so glad you enjoyed them!
emma says
Only change I made was adding just a little extra pumpkin because I absolutely LOVE a lot of pumpkin flavor in everything. This is a great recipe, I’m obsessed with them! Thank you for sharing!
Alexis Joseph says
Wahoo! An oldie but a goodie 🙂
Alexia says
Just made these and they are absolutely delicious! Only change I made was adding just a little extra pumpkin because I absolutely LOVE a lot of pumpkin flavor in everything. This is a great recipe, I’m obsessed with them! Thank you for sharing!
Alexis says
Thanks so much, Alexia!
Alexia says
Just made these and they are absolutely delicious! Only change I made was adding just a little extra pumpkin because I absolutely LOVE a lot of pumpkin flavor in everything. This is a great recipe, I’m obsessed with them! Thank you for sharing!
Alexis says
Thanks so much, Alexia!
Zeynep says
I tried a recipe which looks like this a week ago and it was delicious! ı can't wait to try your's!
Zeynep says
I tried a recipe which looks like this a week ago and it was delicious! ı can't wait to try your's!
Heather says
Why does practically everything need to be gluten free vegan
Paleo and such? yuck. I am a regular person that does not like
these limitations and I do not need these. Although my doctor
Tried putting me on gluten free but I knew I did not need that. I tried and found out gluten free in the yuckiest stuff that they ever put on the grocery store shelves. So I am going to look for
A regular more tastier pumpkin pie spice energy bite recipe. This
One is not going to do anything for me .
Heather Harris says
Hi, Heather. I have had vast experience with the Paleo diet after going on it a couple years ago to experiment with resolving some minor health issues. I also successfully coached my father-in-law through the more restrictive autoimmune protocol, and we saw an amazing reduction in symptoms of his rheumatoid arthritis. He went from being bedridden 9 months ago to walking with the assistance of one cane - this is after he was told by traditional doctors to keep taking steroids and pain meds and that he would likely die early. The more I eat this way, and the more I research, the more I'm convinced that Paleo is the way to go. I certainly wouldn't discount recipes based on the fact that they are gluten-free/paleo/vegan. You can cook some INCREDIBLE food that's entirely Paleo. I prefer not to buy gluten-free foods in the grocery store - not only are they heavily processed, but you are absolutely right. They don't taste very nice and I find that cooking things myself gives me more control over flavor profiles and nutritional content. I know how scary and unnerving it is to start Paleo, but you can do it, and I am absolutely more than willing to help if you have any questions.
Alexis says
There are lots of people who follow special diets that require certain ingredients. If you see the reviews on this recipe, you'll notice they're enjoyed by all. Those who follow certain diets deserve to have tasty treats, too. No need to be judgmental here, especially when you haven't tried the recipe. You can respect that this recipe serves others even if it's not for you.
Heather says
Why does practically everything need to be gluten free vegan
Paleo and such? yuck. I am a regular person that does not like
these limitations and I do not need these. Although my doctor
Tried putting me on gluten free but I knew I did not need that. I tried and found out gluten free in the yuckiest stuff that they ever put on the grocery store shelves. So I am going to look for
A regular more tastier pumpkin pie spice energy bite recipe. This
One is not going to do anything for me .
Heather Harris says
Hi, Heather. I have had vast experience with the Paleo diet after going on it a couple years ago to experiment with resolving some minor health issues. I also successfully coached my father-in-law through the more restrictive autoimmune protocol, and we saw an amazing reduction in symptoms of his rheumatoid arthritis. He went from being bedridden 9 months ago to walking with the assistance of one cane - this is after he was told by traditional doctors to keep taking steroids and pain meds and that he would likely die early. The more I eat this way, and the more I research, the more I'm convinced that Paleo is the way to go. I certainly wouldn't discount recipes based on the fact that they are gluten-free/paleo/vegan. You can cook some INCREDIBLE food that's entirely Paleo. I prefer not to buy gluten-free foods in the grocery store - not only are they heavily processed, but you are absolutely right. They don't taste very nice and I find that cooking things myself gives me more control over flavor profiles and nutritional content. I know how scary and unnerving it is to start Paleo, but you can do it, and I am absolutely more than willing to help if you have any questions.
Alexis says
There are lots of people who follow special diets that require certain ingredients. If you see the reviews on this recipe, you'll notice they're enjoyed by all. Those who follow certain diets deserve to have tasty treats, too. No need to be judgmental here, especially when you haven't tried the recipe. You can respect that this recipe serves others even if it's not for you.
Jessica says
I'm allergic to coconut so can I use normal flour for the recipe?
Alexis says
Hey Jessica! Unfortunately since coconut flour is so unique and absorbent, I don't have a substitute for this recipe. Regular flour won't work :/
Jessica says
I'm allergic to coconut so can I use normal flour for the recipe?
Alexis says
Hey Jessica! Unfortunately since coconut flour is so unique and absorbent, I don't have a substitute for this recipe. Regular flour won't work :/
Morgan Shambrock says
OMG! I made the non protein version last night (minus chocolate chips) and they are AMAZING! Planning on making a big batch to bring to work next week!
Morgan Shambrock says
OMG! I made the non protein version last night (minus chocolate chips) and they are AMAZING! Planning on making a big batch to bring to work next week!
MrsChris3 says
I made them this morning, and they turned out deelish! My husband is addicted to your Pumpkin smoothie so I am sure when he gets home this will be added to his list of favs! Thank you for yet another great recipe!
MrsChris3 says
I made them this morning, and they turned out deelish! My husband is addicted to your Pumpkin smoothie so I am sure when he gets home this will be added to his list of favs! Thank you for yet another great recipe!
Kelly says
I have spent the past almost hour trying to make these and I am about to pull my hair out. I've added almost 3 cups of flour and they are still so sticky I have to use my steel wool brush to get it off my fingers. I am giving up.
Alexis says
That's so strange! I'm so sorry that happened, maybe something was up with the applesauce or pumpkin purée?
Kelly says
I have spent the past almost hour trying to make these and I am about to pull my hair out. I've added almost 3 cups of flour and they are still so sticky I have to use my steel wool brush to get it off my fingers. I am giving up.
Alexis says
That's so strange! I'm so sorry that happened, maybe something was up with the applesauce or pumpkin purée?
Jess says
These look so delicious!! Love anything pumpkin for fall!
Jess says
These look so delicious!! Love anything pumpkin for fall!
Bailey says
Since I haven't seen this question in the comments, any suggestions for what could substitute for the apple sauce? My doctor just put me on strict diet and I can't have any fructose 🙁 but I'm dying for some pumpkin goodness during this fine Fall season!
Bailey says
Since I haven't seen this question in the comments, any suggestions for what could substitute for the apple sauce? My doctor just put me on strict diet and I can't have any fructose 🙁 but I'm dying for some pumpkin goodness during this fine Fall season!
Melissa says
What are the numbets...calories, protein, carbs, ect? Is one bite a serving?
Alexis says
Hey Melissa, you can visit MyFitnessPal.com to import the recipe for nutrition stats. Thanks!
Melissa says
What are the numbets...calories, protein, carbs, ect? Is one bite a serving?
Alexis says
Hey Melissa, you can visit MyFitnessPal.com to import the recipe for nutrition stats. Thanks!
Jodie says
Hello! These look great! Wondering what i could use instead of dates? I can't have them or any type of dried fruit. thanks!!
Jodie says
Hello! These look great! Wondering what i could use instead of dates? I can't have them or any type of dried fruit. thanks!!
Johnny says
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Who starts with me? I found a good method on the web and want to give it a
try, simply search in g0ogle: fitMarikka advices - burn fat
Johnny says
From next week i'm gonna lose weight. Summer is comming girls!
Who starts with me? I found a good method on the web and want to give it a
try, simply search in g0ogle: fitMarikka advices - burn fat
Sherwood says
Made these yesterday as my ball of the week! It was, um, an experience... I don't really know what the problem was. Maybe my dates were too dry? They were moist enough that I could fairly easily rip them open to extract the pits with my bare fingers. But maybe that's not all that moist? I'm not TERRIBLY familiar with dates. I've only used the same ones from the bulk bins at my regular grocery store so I don't have anything to compare them to. So it was either them or the food processor. Either way, as soon as I turned the machine on with the dates and wet stuff, my kitchen took on a new, decidedly orange appearance. I unlocked and re-locked the lid a few times to make sure it was on right, but that changed nothing. There were splatters of wannabe-ball halfway across the kitchen. It was awful. After a bit of grump and consideration, I removed as much of the liquid as possible (and the few smaller chunks of date that had been chopped off), set that aside in a bowl, and pulsed the dates into near oblivion while holding folded up paper towels around the oozing fissure between lid and bowl. I then added half of the liquid back in, pulsed some more, and then scraped the rest of the liquid back in. That managed to do the trick, and I eventually ended up with some amazingly delicious balls! I did the protein version and did add some dairy-free chocolate chips. My boyfriend, who hasn't been able to have dairy for years now, was tickled by how much they tasted like cookie dough: an indulgence he craves on occasion but can't do anything about. So I'm tickled I'm able to provide for him in that way. And I just love pumpkin. Love, love, love. I'm hoping these firmed up more overnight, as they were rather soft even after a few hours of refrigeration. If not, I might try freezing them to see how that does. I'm a bit of a texture freak. 😀 Thanks so much for the recipe!
Sherwood says
Made these yesterday as my ball of the week! It was, um, an experience... I don't really know what the problem was. Maybe my dates were too dry? They were moist enough that I could fairly easily rip them open to extract the pits with my bare fingers. But maybe that's not all that moist? I'm not TERRIBLY familiar with dates. I've only used the same ones from the bulk bins at my regular grocery store so I don't have anything to compare them to. So it was either them or the food processor. Either way, as soon as I turned the machine on with the dates and wet stuff, my kitchen took on a new, decidedly orange appearance. I unlocked and re-locked the lid a few times to make sure it was on right, but that changed nothing. There were splatters of wannabe-ball halfway across the kitchen. It was awful. After a bit of grump and consideration, I removed as much of the liquid as possible (and the few smaller chunks of date that had been chopped off), set that aside in a bowl, and pulsed the dates into near oblivion while holding folded up paper towels around the oozing fissure between lid and bowl. I then added half of the liquid back in, pulsed some more, and then scraped the rest of the liquid back in. That managed to do the trick, and I eventually ended up with some amazingly delicious balls! I did the protein version and did add some dairy-free chocolate chips. My boyfriend, who hasn't been able to have dairy for years now, was tickled by how much they tasted like cookie dough: an indulgence he craves on occasion but can't do anything about. So I'm tickled I'm able to provide for him in that way. And I just love pumpkin. Love, love, love. I'm hoping these firmed up more overnight, as they were rather soft even after a few hours of refrigeration. If not, I might try freezing them to see how that does. I'm a bit of a texture freak. 😀 Thanks so much for the recipe!
masala girl says
hmm, if i just had vega natural, any suggestions?
masala girl says
hmm, if i just had vega natural, any suggestions?
Jenna Miller says
Obsessed with pumpkin. Can't wait to try some of these recipes!
Jenna Miller says
Obsessed with pumpkin. Can't wait to try some of these recipes!