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    Home » Recipes » Vegan Dessert Recipes

    No Bake Pumpkin Balls

    By: Amy Katz · Published: Sep 7, 2022 · Last modified: Sep 7, 2022 · This post may contain affiliate links. · As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Jump to Recipe - Print - Pin
    Special diet: gluten-free option, oil-free, soy-free, vegan
    Plate of pumpkin balls with mini chocolate chips on a plate with text overlay No Bake Pumpkin Balls.

    No Bake Pumpkin Balls are easy to make in 15 minutes with oats, peanut butter, pumpkin puree, pumpkin pie spice, and mini chocolate chips. Sweetened with pure maple syrup instead of refined sugar, they are the perfect treat or dessert any time of the day.

    Plate of pumpkin balls and one in front of the plate with a bite taken out of it.

    Every year as soon as I see canned pumpkin in the supermarket, I stock up so I can make my favorite seasonal recipes like pumpkin hummus, pumpkin chili, and pumpkin marinara pasta.

    But of course fall wouldn't be complete without some sweet pumpkin spice treats like these No Bake Pumpkin Balls. Also known as energy balls or energy bites, they are made with whole-food plant-based ingredients.

    Even if you're like me and are challenged in the dessert making department, you can successfully make this delicious recipe.

    Jump to:
    • Why you'll love this recipe
    • Ingredients
    • Instructions
    • Variations
    • Serving suggestions
    • Storing and freezing
    • FAQ
    • More easy dessert recipes
    • 📋 Recipe
    • 💬 Comments

    Why you'll love this recipe

    • It's easy to make in 15 minutes with only 8 ingredients.
    • It's a healthier treat when you're craving something sweet.
    • It's a delicious way to enjoy pumpkin spice season without turning on the oven.

    Ingredients

    Labeled ingredients needed to make this recipe: Pure maple syrup, rolled oats, natural peanut butter, pumpkin pie spice, canned pumpkin puree, vanilla extract, salt, and mini chocolate chips.

    Rolled oats: For this recipe, it's best to choose rolled oats, also called old-fashioned oats. You can use quick oats, also called instant oats, with similar results. I do not recommend steel-cut oats for making these pumpkin balls.

    Vegan mini chocolate chips: I recommend Enjoy Life brand mini-chocolate chips which are vegan, allergy-friendly, and taste delicious, even straight from the bag.

    Enjoy Life Foods Semi-Sweet Mini Chocolate Chips

    • Gluten-free, school safe, non-GMO, dairy-free, soy-free, vegan, and nut-free.
    • Contains only 3 ingredients: Cane Sugar, unsweetened chocolate, and cocoa butter.
    • Free of 14 common allergens.
    Buy from Amazon

    For the complete list of ingredients with measurements plus recipe instructions, please see the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

    Instructions

    Steps 1 to 4 for making pumpkin balls: 1 The ingredients in a food processor, 2 the combined oat mixture, 3 The mixture in a bowl with the chocolate chips, and 4 The formed balls on a piece of parchment paper.
    1. Place the oats, pumpkin puree, peanut butter, maple syrup, vanilla extract, pumpkin pie spice, and salt in the bowl of a food processor.
    2. Process until a cookie-dough-like mixture has formed, scrapping down the sides of the bowl, as necessary. You should still see pieces of oats.
    3. Transfer the mixture to a large mixing bowl and fold in the chocolate chips.
    4. Use your hands or a small cookie scoop to form balls. Place them on a tray or plate lined with parchment paper. Enjoy right away, or refrigerate them for a few minutes to firm them up.

    Variations

    Pumpkin Balls can be customized to suit your tastes. Try some of these variations to create your own version.

    • Use almond butter, cashew butter, or sun butter in place of the peanut butter.
    • Add additional pure maple syrup if you prefer a sweeter taste. Or use date syrup, agave nectar, or brown rice syrup in its place.
    • If you're not a fan of chocolate chips, stir in raisins, dried cranberries, pumpkin seeds (pepitas), sunflower seeds, or shredded coconut instead.
    • Try them with vegan mini white chocolate chips instead of semi-sweet.

    Serving suggestions

    Plate of chocolate chip pumpkin balls.

    Enjoy these treats for dessert or as a snack any time of the day. They are delicious on their own or with your favorite beverage like coffee or tea with dairy-free pumpkin spice creamer or a matcha latte.

    Storing and freezing

    Pumpkin Balls can be stored in an air-tight container in the refrigerator for up to a week.

    Or they can be frozen for up to 3 months. Defrost them in the refrigerator overnight, then enjoy them cold or at room temperature.

    Refer to the FDA Food Storage Guidelines for more information.

    FAQ

    Is canned pumpkin and pumpkin puree the same thing?

    Canned pumpkin and pumpkin puree are the same thing. When purchasing it, make sure the ingredients list 100% pumpkin and nothing else. This is not to be confused with canned pumpkin pie mix/filling which also contains sugar and spices.

    What is pumpkin pie spice made of?

    Pumpkin pie spice is a combination of cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, allspice, and cloves.

    How do you make pumpkin pie spice?

    You can purchase pumpkin pie spice at most supermarkets or online. If it's unavailable, you can make it yourself by combining 3 tablespoons ground cinnamon, 2 teaspoons ground ginger, 2 teaspoons ground nutmeg, 1½ teaspoons ground allspice, and 1½ teaspoons ground cloves.

    More easy dessert recipes

    • Caramelized figs on a plate
      Caramelized Figs with Balsamic Vinegar
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      Small Batch Vegan Apple Crisp
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      Vegan Fudge (2 Ingredient Recipe!)

    And for even more recipes, join the Vegan Mediterranean Diet Recipes Facebook group for support, inspiration, and fun.

    If you love this recipe, please give it 5 stars! ★★★★★

    📋 Recipe

    Pumpkin chocolate chip balls on a plate.

    No Bake Pumpkin Balls

    No Bake Pumpkin Balls are easy to make in 15 minutes with oats, peanut butter, pumpkin puree, pumpkin pie spice, and mini chocolate chips. Sweetened with pure maple syrup instead of refined sugar, they are the perfect treat or dessert any time of the day. Makes approximately 20 balls.
    5 from 5 votes
    Print Pin SaveSaved! Rate Email recipe + ingredient list
    Special diet: gluten-free option, oil-free, soy-free, vegan
    Course: Dessert, Snack
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 15 minutes
    Total Time: 15 minutes
    Servings: 10
    Calories: 198kcal
    Author: Amy Katz

    Equipment

    • Food Processor

    Ingredients

    • 2 cups rolled oats, (also called old fashioned oats) certified gluten-free, if necessary
    • ½ cup pumpkin puree , (NOT pumpkin pie filling)
    • ¼ cup natural peanut butter, (or your favorite nut butter)
    • ¼ cup pure maple syrup, (plus more, to taste)
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    • 1 Tablespoon pumpkin pie spice
    • pinch of salt
    • ½ cup vegan mini chocolate chips
    US Customary - Metric
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    Instructions

    • Place the oats, pumpkin puree, peanut butter, maple syrup, vanilla extract, pumpkin pie spice, and salt in the bowl of a food processor.
    • Process until combined, scraping down the bowl with a spatula, as needed. You'll still see pieces of oats, but the mixture should resemble cookie dough. Taste and add additional maple syrup, if desired.
    • Transfer the mixture to a large mixing bowl and fold in the mini chocolate chips.
    • Pull off a small piece and roll it in your hands to form a ball. (You can use a small cookie scoop to do this, if you prefer.) Place the ball on a small cookie sheet lined with parchment paper, then repeat with the remaining mixture. Depending on the size you make them, you should have approximately 20 balls.
    • Enjoy right away, or place the cookie sheet in the refrigerator to firm up the balls. Transfer to an air-tight container and store in the refrigerator or freezer.

    Notes

    Pumpkin Balls will keep refrigerated for up to a week or frozen for up to 3 months.
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    Nutrition

    Calories: 198kcal | Carbohydrates: 25g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Cholesterol: 1mg | Sodium: 32mg | Potassium: 210mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 11g | Vitamin A: 1914IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 35mg | Iron: 2mg

    Nutritional information is an estimation only.

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    About Amy

    Amy Katz is a vegan recipe developer, photographer, and Certified Vegan Nutrition Health Coach. She loves sharing delicious plant-based Mediterranean diet recipes that home cooks of all levels can enjoy. Her easy vegan recipes have been featured on HuffPost, LIVESTRONG, Healthline, Parade, VegNews, BuzzFeed, MSN, Greatist, Country Living, Insider, Brit+Co, Well+Good, and more. She lives in Orange County, California with the love of her life, Brad, and their adorable black cat, Ozzy.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    All commentsI made this
    1. Laura

      December 08, 2022 at 10:37 am

      5 stars
      Super easy and super delicious!!! This is a make again and again recipe.
      Thanks for another wonderful recipe!

      Reply
      • Amy Katz

        December 08, 2022 at 11:07 am

        I'm so happy you enjoyed them, Laura!

        Reply
    2. Memy

      September 14, 2022 at 7:15 am

      5 stars
      I left out the chocochips and added finely minced date. then I pushed three lines in around each ball in the shape of a pumpkin, topped it with a clove to make mini pumpkins. Great for a travel snack. Thank you so much!

      Reply
      • Amy Katz

        September 14, 2022 at 10:13 am

        What a fun idea, Memy! I'm so happy you are enjoying the pumpkin balls.

        Reply

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