Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick and Easy: Ready in under 10 minutes, no baking required.
- Healthy Ingredients: Made with oats, pumpkin puree, and protein powder, naturally sweetened with maple syrup or honey.
- Customizable: Add chocolate chips, nuts, seeds, or coconut flakes for extra flavor.
- Portable Snack: Perfect for lunchboxes, on-the-go fuel, or a guilt-free dessert.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
- 1 cup rolled oats (gluten-free if desired)
- 2 scoops vanilla protein powder
- 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
- ½ cup almond butter
- ⅓ cup pumpkin puree
- ¼ cup raw honey (or maple syrup for vegan)
Directions
- In a large bowl, combine the oats, protein powder, pumpkin pie spice, almond butter, pumpkin puree, and honey (or maple syrup). Mix until well combined.
- Using a small cookie scoop, portion out approximately 24 small balls. Roll them gently with your hands to form smooth balls.
- Place the protein balls on a plate and freeze for 10 minutes to firm up.
- Optional: Add mix-ins like chocolate chips, chopped pecans, toasted coconut flakes, or seeds for extra flavor and texture.
Servings and Timing
- Servings: 22
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 minute
- Freezing Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 21 minutes
Variations
- Nut-Free Option: Substitute almond butter with sunflower seed butter or cashew butter.
- Low-Carb Option: Omit oats and add extra protein powder to maintain consistency.
- Flavor Boost: Mix in chocolate chips, chopped pecans, toasted coconut, or seeds.
- Vegan Option: Use maple syrup instead of honey.
Storage/Reheating
- Refrigerator: Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
- Freezer: Freeze in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw for a few minutes before enjoying.
- No reheating needed: These are ready to eat straight from the fridge or freezer.
FAQs
1. Can I use different nut butters?
Yes, almond butter, cashew butter, or sunflower seed butter all work well.
2. Can I make these low carb?
Yes, simply omit the oats and add a bit more protein powder to adjust moisture.
3. Are these vegan?
They can be made vegan by using maple syrup instead of honey.
4. Can I add mix-ins?
Absolutely! Chocolate chips, chopped nuts, toasted coconut, or seeds are great options.
5. How long do they last in the fridge?
Stored in an airtight container, they last up to 4 days.
6. Can I freeze them?
Yes, store in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months.
7. Do I need to cook them?
No, these are no-bake protein balls and ready to eat after chilling.
8. Can I use flavored protein powder?
Yes, vanilla is recommended, but other flavors may work depending on your taste preference.
9. How can I make them softer?
If the mixture is too dry, add a little extra pumpkin puree or nut butter to achieve the right consistency.
10. Can I make them larger or smaller?
Yes, just adjust the size of the cookie scoop and cooking times in the freezer accordingly.
Conclusion
These Pumpkin Protein Balls are a healthy, delicious, and convenient snack that’s perfect for any time of day. With minimal ingredients, no baking required, and plenty of ways to customize, they’re sure to become a staple in your snack rotation.
Pumpkin Protein Balls
- Total Time: 21 minutes
- Yield: 22 protein balls
Description
These no-bake Pumpkin Protein Balls are a healthy, protein-packed snack infused with warm pumpkin spice. Perfect for a quick energy boost, post-workout treat, or on-the-go snack, they are vegan and gluten-free friendly.
Ingredients
1 cup rolled oats (gluten-free if desired)
2 scoops vanilla protein powder
1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
½ cup almond butter
⅓ cup pumpkin puree
¼ cup raw honey (or maple syrup for vegan)
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine oats, protein powder, pumpkin pie spice, almond butter, pumpkin puree, and honey (or maple syrup). Mix until well combined.
- Using a small cookie scoop, portion out approximately 24 small balls. Roll them gently with your hands to form smooth balls.
- Place the protein balls on a plate and freeze for 10 minutes to firm up.
- Optional: Add mix-ins like chocolate chips, chopped pecans, toasted coconut flakes, or seeds for extra flavor and texture.
Notes
Nut-Free Option: Substitute almond butter with sunflower seed butter or cashew butter.
Low-Carb Option: Omit oats and add extra protein powder to maintain consistency.
Flavor Boost: Mix in chocolate chips, chopped pecans, toasted coconut, or seeds.
Vegan Option: Use maple syrup instead of honey.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 minute
- Category: Snack
- Method: No-bake, Mix and Chill
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 protein ball
- Calories: 85
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 40mg
- Fat: 4g
- Saturated Fat: 0.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 9g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
