Pumpkin Protein Balls
These easy pumpkin protein balls made with pumpkin puree, peanut butter, and rolled oats have become my go-to healthy post-workout snack. I make them in 10 minutes by mixing dairy-free, gluten-free, vegan, and sugar-free ingredients together.
Servings: 24 protein balls
Calories: 88kcal
Ingredients
- 2 cups rolled oats
- 2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
- ½ cup pumpkin puree
- ¼ cup vanilla protein powder vegan friendly
- ¼ cup maple syrup
- ½ cup smooth peanut butter
- ¼ cup mini vegan chocolate chips
Instructions
- In a medium mixing bowl mix all ingredients, except the chocolate chips, until well combined.
- Fold through the chocolate chips.
- Scoop out 1 tbsp of mixture and roll into a ball.
- Place on a tray lined with baking paper.
- Repeat with remaining mixture, making approximately 24 balls.
- Place the tray into the fridge and chill for 1 hour before serving.
Notes
- My #1 Secret Tip for making these pumpkin protein balls is to roll them with damp hands so the mixture does not stick and make a mess. I learned this trick after making them a few times with my kids and having half the mix stuck to our fingers instead of on the plate. Just a little water on your hands makes shaping the balls quick and easy, and it keeps the process fun instead of frustrating. This way the kids can help too, and we end up with neat little protein balls ready to pop in the fridge.
- Homemade Pumpkin Puree: I prefer to use canned pumpkin puree for convenience, but when I have time, I also roast my pumpkin to make a delicious homemade pumpkin puree by peeling, dicing, and roasting the pumpkin until soft. When the pumpkin is cooked through, blend with an immersion blender until smooth. Alternatively, you can follow my roasted butternut squash recipe for the same cooking method.
- Adjust For Moisture: If the dough seems too wet to mold into balls, I add a tablespoon or two of almond flour, oat flour, or coconut flour.
- Quick chill: I sometimes speed up the cooling process by freezing the balls for 10 minutes to make them hard.
Nutrition
Serving: 1ball | Calories: 88kcal | Carbohydrates: 10g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 0.002g | Cholesterol: 2mg | Sodium: 27mg | Potassium: 93mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 4g