Pumpkin Protein Balls Recipe
Introduction
Pumpkin Protein Balls are a delicious and nutritious snack perfect for on-the-go energy boosts. Packed with almond butter, pumpkin, and protein powder, these no-bake bites combine subtle sweetness with cozy fall flavors.
Ingredients
- 1 cup no salt added creamy drippy almond butter
- ⅓ cup canned pumpkin
- ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ cup honey
- ½ cup vanilla protein powder
- 1 ½ cups rolled oats
- 1 ½ teaspoons salt
- 1 ½ teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
- ½ cup mini chocolate chips
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large bowl, add the almond butter, pumpkin, cinnamon, honey, vanilla protein powder, rolled oats, salt, and pumpkin pie spice. Stir well to combine everything evenly using a rubber spatula.
- Step 2: Gently fold in the mini chocolate chips until they are evenly distributed throughout the mixture.
- Step 3: Use a cookie scoop or your hands to drop the mixture into small balls, placing them on a baking sheet. You should get around 26 protein balls.
- Step 4: Chill the pumpkin protein balls in the fridge until they feel firm to the touch.
- Step 5: Store the protein balls in a Ziploc bag in the refrigerator or freezer until ready to eat.
Tips & Variations
- For a nut-free option, substitute almond butter with sunflower seed butter.
- Add chopped nuts or dried cranberries for extra texture and flavor.
- If you prefer less sweetness, reduce the honey by a few tablespoons.
- Use gluten-free oats if you need this recipe to be gluten-free.
Storage
Keep the protein balls stored in an airtight container or Ziploc bag in the refrigerator for up to one week. For longer storage, freeze them for up to three months. To enjoy, thaw in the fridge or at room temperature for 10-15 minutes before eating.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use fresh pumpkin instead of canned?
Yes, you can use fresh cooked and pureed pumpkin. Just make sure it’s thick and not watery to maintain the right texture.
Can I make these without protein powder?
Yes, but note that the protein content will be lower and the texture might be slightly different. You can add extra oats or nuts to compensate.
PrintPumpkin Protein Balls Recipe
These Pumpkin Protein Balls are a delicious and nutritious no-bake snack, perfect for a quick energy boost. Made with creamy almond butter, canned pumpkin, protein powder, and cozy pumpkin spices, they offer a perfect balance of sweet and spice with mini chocolate chips for a delightful treat. Ideal for meal prep and on-the-go snacking, these bites are easy to make and packed with protein and wholesome ingredients.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes plus chilling time
- Yield: Approximately 26 protein balls 1x
- Category: Snack
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups rolled oats
- ½ cup vanilla protein powder
- 1 ½ teaspoons salt
- 1 ½ teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
- ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ cup mini chocolate chips
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup no salt added creamy drippy almond butter
- ⅓ cup canned pumpkin
- ½ cup honey
Instructions
- Combine Ingredients: In a large bowl, add the almond butter, canned pumpkin, cinnamon, honey, vanilla protein powder, rolled oats, salt, and pumpkin pie spice. Use a rubber spatula to mix thoroughly until all ingredients are well combined into a consistent batter.
- Fold in Chocolate Chips: Gently fold the mini chocolate chips into the mixture to evenly distribute them throughout the batter without breaking them.
- Form Balls: Using a cookie scoop or your hands, scoop and form the mixture into small balls, each about 1 to 1.5 inches in diameter. Place the balls on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. This recipe yields approximately 26 protein balls.
- Chill to Set: Refrigerate the pumpkin protein balls until they are firm to the touch, which usually takes about 30 minutes to 1 hour. This helps them hold their shape.
- Store Properly: Once firm, transfer the protein balls to a ziplock bag or airtight container. Store them in the refrigerator for up to one week or freeze for longer storage up to 2 months.
Notes
- Use creamy almond butter without added salt for best flavor and texture.
- For a lower sugar option, substitute honey with maple syrup or a sugar-free sweetener.
- If you don’t have pumpkin pie spice, use a blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves.
- Rolled oats provide texture; quick oats can be used but may alter consistency slightly.
- Protein powder flavor can be vanilla or pumpkin spice for enhanced taste.
- Freezing the protein balls helps them stay fresh longer and makes them a refreshing snack.
Keywords: pumpkin protein balls, no-bake protein snacks, healthy pumpkin treats, almond butter protein balls, pumpkin spice snacks, easy protein bites, gluten free snacks
