Dessert

No Bake Pumpkin Protein Balls | Gluten-Free, Vegan Option Recipe

ByElara Stone October 10, 2025October 10, 2025

Introduction

These No Bake Pumpkin Protein Balls are a delicious and nutritious snack perfect for busy days or post-workout fuel. Packed with wholesome ingredients and cozy pumpkin spice flavors, they come together quickly without any baking required.

A close-up of a woman's hand with red-painted nails holding a round brown sweet ball with a soft, grainy texture and visible small peanuts inside and on top. In the background, there is a white plate filled with more of the same brown sweet balls, each topped with a peanut, all placed on a white marbled surface. Around the plate, there are three small white bowls containing different ingredients: one with white grains, another with a golden powder, and the third with crushed nuts. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

1 cup instant oats
1/2 cup oat flour
1/2 cup coconut flour
1/2 cup collagen powder
2/3 cup pumpkin puree
1 tablespoon flaxseed meal
2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice (or cinnamon if preferred)
2/3 cup nut or seed butter of choice (cashew and peanut butter mix recommended)
1/2 to 2/3 cup maple syrup (or honey if not vegan)
1.5 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1/2 cup peanut butter chips
1/2 teaspoon salt

Instructions

Step 1: Add all the ingredients except the peanut butter chips to a food processor. Blend until a uniform dough forms, scraping down the sides as needed. Taste the mixture and adjust salt, spices, or sweetness according to your preference.
Step 2: Stir in the peanut butter chips by hand. Then, roll the dough into small balls, about 1 inch in diameter. Serve immediately or store in the refrigerator.

Tips & Variations

For a fully vegan version, substitute honey with pure maple syrup and ensure collagen powder is plant-based or omit it.
Try using almond butter or sunflower seed butter as a nut-free alternative.
To add extra texture, mix in chopped nuts or seeds before rolling into balls.

Storage

Store these protein balls in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. They also freeze well—place them in a freezer-safe container and thaw in the fridge overnight before eating. No reheating is needed; they are perfect to enjoy cold or at room temperature.

How to Serve

A close-up of a small round brown sweet held by a woman's hand with red-painted nails, showing a dip with a crumbly, moist texture and a few light-colored peanuts on top and inside; in the background, more brown sweets are arranged in a circle on a white plate, with three small white bowls containing white, orange, and chopped brown ingredients blurred behind on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use fresh pumpkin instead of canned puree?

Yes, you can roast and puree fresh pumpkin at home. Just make sure it’s cooked until soft and well-pureed to maintain the right texture for the dough.

What if I don’t have a food processor?

You can mix the ingredients by hand using a sturdy bowl and spoon, but a food processor helps create a smoother dough and combines the ingredients more thoroughly.