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    MJ & Hungryman » Baby/Kid-Friendly Recipes

    No Bake Pumpkin Balls

    By Min On September 14, 2022

    This post may contain affiliate links. Please see our disclosure policy for more details.

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    A close up shot of pumpkin ball with a bite taken out.

    This no-bake pumpkin balls recipe is so easy to make with simple, healthy ingredients, and is oh so delicious! It's the perfect make-ahead breakfast or snack to share with your child.

    A close up shot of pumpkin ball with a bite taken out.

    No Bake Pumpkin Energy Balls

    Feeding our children and nourishing ourselves is HARD work! I feel like every time we eat and clean up, I turn around and it's eating time. Again.

    And so my goal here is to provide you with EASY meal (baby and toddler-friendly) as well as snack ideas.

    These pumpkin bites are made with simple pantry ingredients and take 10 minutes to make from start to finish, perhaps even less!

    It's also a really great way to use up any leftover canned pumpkin you might have after making other fall-flavored treats, like these healthy pumpkin banana muffins, moist pumpkin bread, 4 ingredient pumpkin cookies, and pumpkin waffles.

    Keep in the refrigerator or the freezer and enjoy throughout the week whenever hunger strikes!

    And if you are looking for fruit-sweetened energy bites, you have to try these apricot balls!

    Ingredients

    All the ingredients laid out on a white background.
    • Rolled oats - I like to purchase in bulk and grind into flour myself (super easy to do) but you can certainly use store-bought oat flour.
    • Pure pumpkin puree- be sure to get 100% canned pumpkin (the only ingredient is pumpkin) and NOT pumpkin pie filling. You can also use homemade pumpkin puree.
    • Smooth peanut butter - feel free to swap with almond butter or seed butter (e.g. pumpkin seed butter or sunflower butter).
    • Honey - or maple syrup if you prefer.
    • Pumpkin pie spice - Hello warm fall spices! Make your own spice blend or grab it from the store.
    • Chia and ground flaxseeds - a great way to add extra protein, fiber, and healthy fats
    • For older kids, feel free to add some mini chocolate chips.

    Step-by-Step Instructions

    A two image collage showing before and after combining the ingredients.
    1. Add oats to a food processor or blender and pulse until it turns into flour.
    2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the oat flour with the rest of the ingredients. Using a mini cookie scoop or tablespoon to scoop the dough and roll into balls.

    Tips for Success

    • Grind oats in a blender or food processor. This will result in a smoother texture, almost like cookie dough. If you want to skip this step, you can use oat flour.
    • If you desire a more chewy texture, use quick oats and simply add to the rest of the ingredients.
    • Adjust sweetness by starting with just 2 tablespoons of honey and adding up to 4 tablespoons to taste. 3 tablespoons is the sweet spot for us.
    • Chia and Flax seeds - I like the combination of both in this recipe. But you can just use one type of seed. I personally recommend chia seeds as they add a nice "pop" of texture.

    Ultimate Guide to Nuts and Seeds

    Serving Suggestions

    These pumpkin energy balls are great for an easy breakfast or snack or whenever you need a little pick-me-up. They are also perfect for school lunch boxes!

    Once the balls are refrigerated, they will become firm in texture. I suggest taking it out of the fridge at least 5 minutes prior to make it easier for toddlers to eat.

    You can also tear into small pieces if your little one has a hard time chewing.

    Storage Suggestions

    Shaped balls in a glass container.

    Transfer to an airtight container and keep in the refrigerator for up to one week.

    You can also make a few batches to have in your freezer for up to 3 months as a quick, healthy snack. Freeze the balls on a baking sheet and once frozen solid, transfer to a freezer-safe container or bag.

    More Easy Snack Ideas

    • Peanut Butter Bliss Balls (Extra Protein)
    • Flourless Peanut Butter Chickpea Cookies
    • 3 Ingredient Banana Baby Cookies
    • Peanut Butter Cheerio Cereal Bars

    Did you make this recipe? Leave a rating below and let me know how you liked the recipe! Your feedback means so much to me!

    A close up shot of pumpkin ball with a bite taken out.

    No Bake Pumpkin Balls

    This no-bake pumpkin balls recipe is so easy to make with simple, healthy ingredients, and is oh so delicious!
    5 from 13 votes
    Print Pin
    Prep Time: 10 minutes
    Cook Time: 0 minutes
    Total Time: 10 minutes
    Servings: 18 - 20 balls
    Author: Min | MJ and Hungryman

    Ingredients

    • 1 cup (100g) rolled oats
    • ½ cup (120g) pumpkin puree
    • ½ cup (125g) peanut butter
    • 2-4 tablespoons honey (see note)
    • 2 tablespoons chia seeds
    • 2 tablespoons ground flaxseeds (see note)
    • 1 ½ teaspoons pumpkin pie spice

    Instructions

    • Add oats to a food process or blender and grind until it turns into flour. You can also use oat flour.
    • In a large mixing bowl, combine all the ingredients. Using a spoon shape into small bite sized balls. Enjoy!

    Notes

    • Adjust sweetness by starting with just 2 tablespoons of honey and adding up to 4 tablespoons to taste. You can also use maple syrup. Note, NO honey  for under 1!
    • Swap peanut butter with other nut or seed butter, if needed,
    • You can use all chia or ground flax seeds. I personally recommend chia seeds as they add a nice "pop" of texture.
    • Transfer to an airtight container and keep in the refrigerator for up to one week or freeze for up to 3 months.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 84kcal | Carbohydrates: 9g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 5g | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 1060IU
    Course Snack
    Cuisine American
    Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Tag me @KidFriendly.Meals today!

    More Baby/Kid-Friendly Recipes

    • Fluffy Vegetable Rice
    • How to Freeze Yogurt
    • Creamy Chicken Orzo
    • Custard Yogurt Toast (Sweet and Savory)

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    About Min

    Thank you so much for stopping by! I am Min, a Registered Dietitian, a Christ follower, a wife, and a mom to our two miracle babies! Currently, I’m having a ton of fun feeding their tummies and sharing our baby led weaning journey! Follow me on Instagram if interested in seeing daily menu as well as tips and tricks.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Cindy (Vegetarian Mamma) says

      October 23, 2014 at 7:17 pm

      YUM!, these cups look great! Thanks for linking up at our Gluten Free Fridays party! I have tweeted and pinned your entry to our Gluten Free Fridays board on Pinterest! 🙂 I can't wait to see what you share this week! Its LIVE!

      Cindy from vegetarianmamma.com

    2. Megan says

      October 19, 2014 at 8:22 am

      Oh yum, these look so good. And I am always trying to come up with other non-sugar options - I love the raisins blended in with the pumpkin!

      • Min says

        October 19, 2014 at 8:24 pm

        Thank you, Megan! Can't wait for you to try!!

    3. athletic avocado says

      September 29, 2014 at 4:28 pm

      Oh my goodness! Pumpkin and raisins are my fav! Making this ASAP!

    4. Serena says

      September 29, 2014 at 1:35 pm

      For so many reasons, so yummy! Now I just gotta find unsweetened coconut. Where do you find it? PS. I'm snacking on pumpkin seeds now...a testament to my huge snacky-ness too. (:

      • Min says

        September 29, 2014 at 5:47 pm

        My local grocery, H.E.B, didn't have it, but luckily I found it at Sprouts just 10 min away from my house. Pumpkin seed = satisfying snack ;). Munch away hehe

    5. ellie | fit for the soul says

      September 23, 2014 at 11:39 pm

      Oh man I used to snack like crazyyyy! So total of 8-10 times eating a day, but Selah definitely changed things up for me and I rarely think about food--aside from main meals (1 snack) and the fact that I have a food blog, haha! But these look so superkalifrajelisticexpialidocious.....<33

    6. Amy | Club Narwhal says

      September 23, 2014 at 9:02 am

      Min, I'm a crazy snacker, too! Luckily, my favorite snack (popcorn) can be made with slightly healthier options 🙂 These cups look so tasty and perfect for fall! Love that they're GF !

    7. Sarah @ SnixyKitchen says

      September 23, 2014 at 1:53 am

      Yes you may absolutely tempt me to one of these! Or a dozen. I'm ready to start making fall recipes like these - I just opened my first can of pumpkin tonight!

      • Min says

        September 27, 2014 at 6:31 pm

        I've already opened up so many cans of pumpkin it's kinda out of control…not really 😉

    8. Kelly says

      September 22, 2014 at 11:40 pm

      I'd be all over these! I think I'll make 'em this week for an after-school snack! Thanks for sharing. Pinning!

    9. Kari @ bite-sized thoughts says

      September 22, 2014 at 12:37 pm

      Oh, yum! These look and sound delicious, and really fun to make and eat too 🙂

    10. Regan @ The Healthy Aperture Blog says

      September 22, 2014 at 8:46 am

      What an amazing fall combo!!! Yum!!! I wish we were neighbors and could share one of these over coffee this afternoon 🙂

      • Min says

        September 27, 2014 at 6:30 pm

        Oh how I'd love to have you as my neighbor ;). I think I'd be more productive too haha.

    11. Ashley | Spoonful of Flavor says

      September 22, 2014 at 8:33 am

      Wow, look at all those raisins! I love the addition of the peanut butter and pumpkin. These would make the perfect afternoon snack!

    12. Alanna says

      September 22, 2014 at 8:28 am

      It just so happens that I have all the ingredients on hand for these...hmmm I think we both know that I need to try these yummies! I adore raisins and probably eat way too many of them, I have to control myself! What a fun recipe!!

      • Min says

        September 27, 2014 at 6:29 pm

        Thanks, Alanna! Love it when that happens - one of the perks of having a well-stocked pantry ;). Can't wait for you to try!!

    13. Trisha says

      September 22, 2014 at 8:19 am

      I've always loved raisins--especially those little boxes I would eat all the time as a kid. I'm sooo craving pumpkin right now, so these healthy little desserts look perfect!

    14. Christie - Food Done Light says

      September 22, 2014 at 7:27 am

      What a wonderful and fun snack. I love all the layers of flavor and healthy ingredients, too.

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    HI!

    I am MJ, a registered dietitian and a mom of 2. I truly hope you’ll enjoy all the recipes and tips that I share on what and how to feed your child!

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