No-Bake Pumpkin Energy Balls
on Sep 30, 2020, Updated Mar 06, 2025
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These no-bake pumpkin energy balls with oats, dates and pecans are easy to make in minutes with just a few basic ingredients for a yummy pumpkin treat!
About the Recipe
With spices, oats, dates, pecans and pumpkin, these delicious pumpkin energy balls, or bliss balls, taste like little bites of pecan pumpkin pie! Here’s why we love them:
- 10 minute recipe.
- Just 6 ingredients.
- Vegan and gluten-free.
- Refined sugar-free (can be made sugar-free).
- No added oil.
- Perfect for a snack or dessert.
- Store well and freezer-friendly.
- Make in advance for meal prep.
- About 100 calories per ball.
Much like these No-Bake Pecan Pie Balls, Apple Pie Energy Balls and Raw Gingerbread Bites, these make a perfect snack for fall!
Ingredients & Substitutions
Here are the ingredients needed to make this recipe and any substitutions you can make.
This list is not complete. Please see the recipe card at the end of the post for the complete ingredient list with measurements and detailed instructions.
- Pecans : Use plain, raw pecans with no added oil or salt. You can mix and match with walnuts and almonds.
- Oats: Quick oats or rolled oats (old fashioned oats) both work since you’ll be blending them. Use 1/2 cup oats and 1/2 cup coconut for pumpkin coconut balls.
- Dates: Any variety works as long as they’re soft and moist. It’s important to use moist dates so the balls stick together. If your dates are overly dry, soak them (pitted) in hot water for 15 minutes then drain well before using in recipe. Most dates should be fine to use without soaking them though.
- Pumpkin Puree: Use plain canned pumpkin puree. If you have extra, use it in a Peanut Butter Pumpkin Smoothie, No-Bake Vegan Pumpkin Fudge or Vegan Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bars.
- Pumpkin Spice: If you can’t find pumpkin pie spice I’ve listed the spices you’ll need to make your own in the recipe card below.
- Maple Syrup: Can be subbed with honey (not vegan) or agave syrup.
Variations & Additions
- Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bites: Add up to 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips, dark chocolate chips or chopped dark chocolate.
- Other Add-Ins: Add up to 1/2 cup hemp seeds, shredded coconut, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds or raisins.
- Chia Seeds & Flax: Add up to 3 tbsp chia seeds or ground flax seeds.
- Additional Flavour: Add up to 1 tsp vanilla extract.
- Pumpkin Protein Balls: Reduce the oats to 1/2 cup and add 1 scoop of vanilla protein powder.
- Nut Butter: The pumpkin puree can be replaced with 1/4 cup nut butter like almond butter or cashew butter. With the pumpkin pie spice you’ll still get yummy pumpkin flavor.
How to Make Pumpkin Energy Balls
This is a simple no-bake recipe so all you need to do is blend everything up and roll the dough into balls!
Step 1. Add the pecans and oats to your food processor and process into a coarse, grainy flour.
Step 2. Add the rest of the ingredients and blend into a thick, sticky dough you can easily press between your fingers.
Step 3. Use your hands to roll the dough into about 22 balls.
Optional: Roll the balls in a cinnamon coconut sugar mixture or coconut for an extra treat!
Expert Tips
- If your dates are overly dry, soak them (pitted) in hot water for 15 minutes then drain well before using in recipe. Most dates should be fine to use without soaking them though.
- If the dough isn’t coming together, which may occur if your dates were too dry, add 1 tsp of warm water and process again. That should do the trick. If not, repeat 1-2 times.
- Use a digital scale to measure ingredients for accuracy.
- A small cookie scoop can help portion the dough for rolling.
- If you’re adding extras like chocolate chips, pulse them in after blending the dough in step 2.
Recipe FAQs
Yes. You can replace the nuts with pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds or additional rolled oats to make this recipe nut-free.
No. The maple syrup adds extra flavour and sweetness but can be omitted.
If you don’t have pumpkin pie spice substitute, 2 tsp cinnamon and 1/2 tsp each nutmeg, ginger and allspice. If you only have cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg, that’s ok, you can omit the allspice.
It’s recommend to store pumpkin energy balls in the refrigerator or freezer. Fridge: In an airtight container for up to 1 week. Freezer: In an airtight container or freezer-safe bag for up to 2 months. Room Temperature: If you’re taking them to-go, they’re okay out of the fridge for a day or two. Keep cool for best results.
More Energy Bites
- No-Bake Coconut Lime Bites
- Carrot Cake Energy Balls
- Maca Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Balls
- No-Bake Goji Berry Balls
- Chocolate Date Balls
More Recipes to Try!
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No-Bake Cashew Coconut Balls
Energy Balls
No-Bake Cinnamon Energy Balls
Energy Balls
No-Bake Pecan Pie Balls
Energy Balls
No-Bake Banana Bread Balls
Pumpkin Energy Balls
Ingredients
- 1.5 cups raw pecans, 185 g
- 1 cup rolled oats or quick oats, 100 g
- 1.5 cups packed, soft pitted dates, 330 g
- 1/4 cup pumpkin puree, 60 g
- 1.5 tbsp pumpkin pie spice*
- 1/4 tsp sea salt
- 1 tbsp maple syrup, 15 mL
- 1 tsp vanilla extract, optional
Instructions
- Add the oats and pecans to a food processor or blender and mix until broken down into a grainy flour.
- Add the rest of the ingredients and mix until it forms a thick, sticky dough. It should come together in one big ball and you should easily be able to press the dough between your fingers. If it's crumbly, add 1-2 tsp warm water and process again.
- Use your hands to roll the dough into about 22 balls. Option to roll the finished balls in coconut or a mixture of sugar and cinnamon.
Notes
Nutrition
Originally published on February 17, 2015.
I would love to make these nut-free – more oats?
I would suggest seeds like raw pumpkin seeds or sunflower seeds, or 1 cup seeds and an additional 1/2 cup oats or even a bit of ground flax to help with the moisture from the pumpkin. I haven’t tried them without nuts though so I can’t guarantee how they’ll turn out! Let me know if you try them.