Description
These No-Bake Pumpkin Spice Protein Balls are the ultimate healthy grab-and-go snack! Made with complex oats, pure pumpkin puree, and creamy almond butter, these vegan and gluten-free bites offer clean, anytime energy. Ready in just 10 minutes, they taste exactly like a cozy slice of fall pie!
Ingredients
Scale
- 1/4 cup 100% pure canned Pumpkin Puree (Do NOT use pumpkin pie filling!)
- 1 cup Old-Fashioned Rolled Oats
- 1/2 cup Creamy Almond Butter (Substitute with sunflower seed butter or tahini for a nut-free version)
- 1 scoop Vanilla Plant-Based Protein Powder
- 1/4 cup pure Maple Syrup
- 1 tsp Pumpkin Pie Spice
- 1/2 tsp Vanilla Extract
- 2 tbsp Mini Dark Chocolate Chips
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, thoroughly whisk together the 100% pure pumpkin puree, creamy almond butter, pure maple syrup, and vanilla extract until the wet mixture is completely smooth and cohesive.
- Pour the old-fashioned rolled oats, vanilla plant-based protein powder, and pumpkin pie spice directly into the bowl with the wet mixture.
- Use a sturdy silicone spatula to fold everything together aggressively. Continue mixing until a thick, deeply orange, and fragrant dough forms.
- Consistency Check: Pumpkin puree adds a lot of moisture. If the dough feels too wet or sticky to handle, fold in 1-2 extra tablespoons of oats or almond flour. If it feels too dry (depending on the absorbency of your protein powder), add a tiny splash of almond milk.
- Place the entire bowl in the refrigerator to chill for 10 to 30 minutes. (Chilling allows the oats to absorb the excess liquid, making the dough much easier to mold).
- Once chilled, gently fold the mini dark chocolate chips into the dough.
- Scoop out 1-tablespoon portions of the dough and tightly roll them into perfectly smooth spheres between your palms.
- Place the formed balls on a tray or plate and refrigerate for another 15 minutes to set completely.
- Transfer the chilled bites to an airtight container and keep refrigerated for up to 1 week, or freeze for up to 3 months.
Notes
- The Pumpkin Puree Rule: It is critical to use 100% pure pumpkin puree, NOT pumpkin pie filling. Pie filling comes pre-loaded with sugar and will make your dough overly sweet and incredibly runny.
- Nut-Free Variation: To make these completely safe for school lunchboxes, swap the almond butter for creamy sunflower seed butter.
- Why Chill the Dough?: Do not skip the chilling step! The natural moisture from the pumpkin makes the fresh dough extremely sticky. Giving the oats time to hydrate in the fridge will save your hands from a mess.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Chill Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Snack / Dessert
- Method: No-Bake
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bite
- Calories: 115 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 10 mg
- Fat: 6.5 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fiber: 2.5 g
- Protein: 4 g
