No-Bake Pumpkin Pie Bliss Balls Recipe

Calling all pumpkin spice groupies!

If you love all things pumpkin, have I got a treat for you! These Pumpkin Pie Bliss Balls are like a pumpkin spice latte in bliss ball form. Made with old fashioned oats, protein powder, pumpkin puree, peanut butter, a touch of honey and topped with a healthy chocolate drizzle, this new recipe is delicious any time of year, not just red cup season. 

What are bliss balls?

Bliss balls are sometimes also called energy balls or energy bites. They’re typically made with wholesome ingredients full of vitamins, minerals, and healthy fats. These pumpkin pie balls check off all those boxes.

With a combination of healthy ingredients like oats, pumpkin puree, peanut butter, and coconut oil topped off with my favorite vanilla protein powder you’ll have the perfect little balls of energy in no time.

Make these pumpkin spice balls uniquely yours.

No-go on the peanut butter? Don’t fret. Almond butter, cashew butter or any other nut butter is delish in these pumpkin pie energy balls. If you have a nut allergy, try sunflower seed butter. It’s just as creamy and smooth but is not made from nuts so is safe for those with nut allergies. If you don’t want honey, use maple syrup or lite maple syrup to lower the calories on these pumpkin bliss balls.

Protein powder: PEScience is my favorite protein powder and I used the vanilla flavor for this recipe. I definitely recommend giving it a try when you’re ready but any brand works for this recipe. If you really want to go bonkers on the pumpkin train, use a pumpkin pie flavored protein powder. Getting wild…I know.

You know I’m a sucker for adding in special goodies to my treats. Try adding dried cranberries, mini chocolate chips, different nuts, etc into your pumpkin pie bliss balls. I used Lily’s dark chocolate chips for the chocolate coating but any type of chips would be good: milk, white, dark, butterscotch, all yum.

Pumpkin spice trick

You guys, homemade pumpkin pie spice is a thing. To make your own: combine cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves. Incredibly easy and you can add it to coffee, oatmeal, or pumpkin cookies. My favorite recipe for homemade pumpkin spice is Sally’s Baking Addiction Pumpkin Pie Spice. Of course, if you prefer, store-bought is always there for those that don’t have these spices on hand. 

Dairy and gluten-free info.

Gluten-free. These bliss balls are gluten-free as long as you ensure your chocolate chips, oats and protein powder are gluten-free.

This recipe is dairy-free if you use dairy-free chocolate chips and protein powder. Enjoy Life makes dairy-free chocolate chips that taste great. Note, that sometimes dairy-free chocolate melts differently. Keep that in mind when making with an alternative chocolate chip.

What you’ll need to make these Pumpkin Pie Bliss Balls:

These are the main ingredients and substitutions. See the recipe card below for the full ingredients list and instructions for Pumpkin Pie Bliss Balls.

Old Fashioned Oats: I like using Quaker but any brand will work. Note: oat flour will result in a drier bliss ball so I suggest using oats as mentioned.

Vanilla Protein Powder: my favorite brand to bake with is PEScience Gourmet Vanilla. You can use your favorite brand or a dairy-free alternative. Orgain and Nuzest make a popular dairy-free vanilla protein powder. If you use a different flavor, it will change the flavor of your bliss balls. You can omit and replace with a extra 1/4 cup oats.
If using a different protein powder and the texture is not dry / thick enough add either more protein powder or additional oats to the desired consistency so the balls hold together. This recipe has only been tested with the mentioned whey protein. 

Pumpkin Puree: you will need 1/2 cup.

Natural Creamy Peanut Butter: use your favorite natural PB or substitute with any preferred nut butter. Use sunflower seed butter if avoiding nuts. PB2 can be substituted, be sure to mix with water to create a creamy peanut butter prior to adding and add a dash of cinnamon to it to add flavor. Use the PB2 the same as peanut butter in this recipe.

Honey: Substitute with pure maple syrup. To lower calories, use lite maple syrup.

Pumpkin Pie Spice: make your own with a combination of cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves. Buy store-bought, if preferred. Sally’s Baking Addiction makes a good one.

Chocolate Chips: I used Lily’s dark chocolate chips. Use any you prefer, including white, milk, semi-sweet, or butterscotch.

Coconut Oil: needed to melt the chocolate chips to create the outside chocolate coating.

Flaky Sea Salt: Adds a salty balance to the sweetness.

Optional Add Ins: chopped nuts, dried cranberries, mini chocolate chips.

How to make bliss balls:

Pulse oats to flour and add protein powder

In a food processor, pulse the oats until they become a coarse flour-like texture. Combine with the protein powder in a mixing bowl.

Add main ingredients

Next, add the pumpkin puree, peanut butter, honey, pumpkin pie spice, and a pinch of salt to the bowl and mix until well combined.

Add optional ingredients

Add to the oat and protein mixture and combine until the dry powder is fully incorporated with the wet and it creates a sticky dough. If you’re adding any optional mix-ins like chopped nuts, dried cranberries, or mini chocolate chips, fold them into the dough.

Roll into balls

Using a cookie scoop or spoon, scoop equal portions of the mixture and roll them into 10 bite-sized balls, approximately 32 grams each. If the mixture is too sticky, you can wet your hands slightly to make rolling easier. You want to roll them into tight balls to stick everything together.

Place the bliss balls on a plate or baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

Refrigerate

Refrigerate the bliss balls for at least 30 minutes to allow them to firm up prior to adding the chocolate coating. You can also freeze them for 10-15 minutes to speed up the process.

Melt chocolate and coat bliss balls

Add the chocolate chips and coconut oil to a microwave-safe dish and microwave in 30-second intervals until the chocolate has completely melted.

Add each ball separately to the chocolate sauce, coat it evenly with the sauce and place it back on the baking sheet. Repeat with all 10 bliss balls. Sprinkle the tops with flakey sea salt and return the bliss balls to the fridge or freezer to harder and set.

Enjoy!

Finally, once chilled, the bliss balls are ready to enjoy! Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Photos: Marie-Catherine Dubé

If you like this recipe be sure to check out some of our other easy recipes!

• Protein Banana Bread
• Chewy Chocolate Protein Granola Bars
• Grilled Teriyaki Chicken
• Buffalo Ranch Chicken Salad
• Dairy Free Egg Casserole