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Pumpkin Pie Protein No-Bake Bites

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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.

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 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!

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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?

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.

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.

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.

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 1/2 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!

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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.

Pumpkin Pie Protein No-Bake Bites

★★★★★ 4.6 from 10 reviews
  • Author: Alexis Joseph, MS, RD, LD
  • Prep Time: 10 mins
  • Total Time: 10 mins
  • Yield: 12-15 bites 1x
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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.

Scale

Ingredients

For the protein powder version:

  • 9 Medjool dates, pitted (place in bowl of warm water if hard and dry)
  • 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
  • 3 tbsp pumpkin puree (canned pumpkin)
  • 1/4 cup almond milk
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup coconut flour
  • 1 scoop (30g) vanilla brown rice protein powder (I like Vega Vanilla Protein + Greens)
  • 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
  • 1/2 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)
  • 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
  • 3 tbsp pumpkin puree (canned pumpkin)
  • 2 tbsp almond milk
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup coconut flour
  • 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
  • 1/2 tsp cinnamon
  • 2 tbsp cacao nibs or chocolate chips (optional)

Instructions

  1. Place dates, applesauce, pumpkin, almond milk, and vanilla in a large food processor. Blend until pureed, scraping down the sides as needed.
  2. 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.
  3. Stir in cacao nibs. Roll into 12-15 bites.
  4. Store in the refrigerator or freezer.

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.

[Tweet “No-Bake Pumpkin Pie Protein Bites via @TheHummusapien #paleo #vegan”]

Now let’s have a look-see at what the other brought to the pumpkin party!

Roundup Collage-Pumpkin

Julia brought Paleo Pumpkin Pie. Hayyyy, sweet toothie tooth!

paleo_pumpkin_pie

Kylie made us a delish breakfast with these Single Serving Pumpkin Oatmeal Pancakes.

pumpkin pancakes for one-5

Got three minutes? Whip up these easy microwave Pumpkin English Muffins from my bud Arman!

microwave-pumpkin-English-muffin_-6 (1)

How creamy and awesome does this Pumpkin Yogurt Dip a la Lindsay look?

Pumpkin Yogurt Dip 2

In case the pancakes didn’t fill you up, Sarah made you adorable Pumpkin Breakfast Cookies.

Pumpkin Breakfast Cookies

Comments

  4. Yessss- I made your lemon coconut bites a couple weeks ago and the coconut flour really does give it a super cakey texture and I’m usually not a big fan of cake either- definitely making these this fall!

    Reply

    • The protein powder adds sweetness so if you’re going to leave it out I would add more sweetener to taste! Keep in mind if you’re adding more wet sweetener you may need to add more coconut flour, too. Hope it works!

      Reply

      • Have you tried this with any other paleo protein powder? I know some people can tolerate brown rice, but it’s still technically a grain – I’m on a stricter version of Paleo and have digestive issues with rice, whey and most vegan proteins. I’m currently trying to reintroduce Garden of Life Organic Protein Powder, but I may have to go back to my bone broth protein if I experience issues. These look delicious, though, and I would love to try them with my bone broth protein. Does the protein powder you suggested provide a different texture when compared to other powders? Thanks so much for being patient with all my questions!!

        Reply

        • Nope, I haven’t sorry! I have no idea how it would effect the texture since I don’t use paleo protein but feel free to mess around and LMK what works :)

          Reply

  6. I need more balls that taste like cake in my life, and I’m not even joking.

    This coconut flour idea is genius! I’m breaking the habit of using nuts in alllll my treats, so this is the perfect recipe for all those times I’m craving more than just one ball…is this conversation starting to get awkward?

    …

    PUMPKIN!

    Reply

  7. I know we talked about this but I’m the same way with not loving cake. That said, I bet these cake-like balls are fab — especially if you eat half the batch. ;)

    Also, I want pumpkin everything right now.

    Reply

  17. I made these last night to take on a road trip this weekend… well I’m not sure they’re going to make it that long because they are literally The.Best.Things.Ever! I can’t get over the awesome cakey texture. Now I’m dying to make the original lemon ones as well.

    ★★★★★

    Reply

  19. Thank you THANK YOU for including a protein-powder-less version!!! I really don’t think I can get anything good overseas here (in Japan) and I dunno if I like it anway?! I found coconut flour at my local Costco for the first time EVAH tonight so I think it’s meant to be!! Will be making these tomrrow for sure!!! And I’m also gonna make your recent lentil veggie soup recipe. Excited!!!

    Reply

  20. I want to make these as-is because they sound PERFECT, and also because you’ve proven yourself to be the Fairy Godmother of pumpkin recipes (I’ve made both your smoothie and your bars this week), but I wanna take them to a party and am aware that there’s a coconut allergy dilemma. Is there any way almond flour or oat flour could do the trick?

    Reply

  21. Alexis, I have a very limited diet due to health issues. I plan to make these bites using coconut milk (the drink, not the canned stuff) instead of almond milk and agave nectar instead of medjool dates. Would that work?

    Reply

    • Hi Brenda, I using coconut milk instead of almond milk is totally fine. I’m honestly not sure how well agave would work, but I would just add a bit at a time for sweetness and texture until a dough forms? Hope that helps!

      Reply

  25. I just made these this morning, and they are SO good. I just pulled one out of the freezer — it was like a beautiful fusion of pumpkin pie and pumpkin cake. Thanks for the recipe!

    ★★★★★

    Reply

  28. 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. :D Thanks so much for the recipe!

    ★★★★★

    Reply

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    Reply

  30. Hello! These look great! Wondering what i could use instead of dates? I can’t have them or any type of dried fruit. thanks!!

    Reply

  32. 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!

    ★★★★★

    Reply

  34. 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.

    ★

    Reply

  35. 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!

    ★★★★★

    Reply

  36. 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!

    ★★★★★

    Reply

    • 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 :/

      Reply

  38. 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 .

    Reply

    • 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.

      Reply

    • 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.

      Reply

  40. 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!

    ★★★★★

    Reply

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  40. […] 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. https://www.hummusapien.com/pumpkin-pie-protein-no-bake-bites/ […]

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