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.

Today I'm teaming up with by blog babes Arman, Sarah, Kylie, Julia, and Lindsay to feature the nutrition powerhouse that is pumpkin. Carotenoids are the potent phytonutrients that make pumpkin orange, and there's no shortage of these plant compounds (alpha and beta carotene) here! Did you know that eating pumpkin can help lower your risk of heart disease and a variety certain cancers? You'll also get 100% of the daily value of vision-boosting Vitamin A from just a ½ cup serving of cooked pumpkin. Did I mention it's super low in calories and high in filling fiber?

Got leftover pumpkin? I know you're using them in this pumpkin pie smoothie or these paleo pumpkin bars!

Pumpkin Pie Protein No-Bake Bites

★★★★★ 4.5 from 22 reviews

Author: Alexis Joseph, MS, RD, LD
Prep Time: 10 mins
Total Time: 10 mins
Yield: 12-15 bites 1x

Print Recipe

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

Scale

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.