Pumpkin Protein Balls
These no-bake pumpkin protein balls are made with pumpkin puree, sunflower butter, oats, and protein powder and studded with mini chocolate chips. They're a snack that tastes like dessert and takes about 20 minutes start to finish.
This Pumpkin Balls recipe is sponsored by SunButter. All thoughts are my own. Thank you so much for supporting brands that make The Fit Peach possible!
Made with minimal prep time, no cooking required, and a total time of just a few minutes, these pumpkin energy balls are truly a lifesaver when it comes to on-the-go meals and family-friendly snacks. Plus, a batch costs a fraction of the packaged snack bars at the grocery store.
With chocolate chips in every bite, they taste like dessert, which is the whole point when you’re packing them for kids. I highly recommend making a big batch, and keeping them on hand to enjoy throughout the week!
Pumpkin Energy Balls Ingredients & Notes
- SunButter - SunButter's creamy sunflower butter is perfect in this pumpkin protein balls recipe. It acts as a “glue” holding the balls together and provides a creamy texture and hints of “nutty” flavor without the nuts.
- Pumpkin puree - Creates the bold pumpkin flavor. Be sure to use pure pumpkin puree and not pumpkin pie filling, which contains added sugars and spices.
- Maple syrup - Used to sweeten the balls without the need for refined sugar.
- Vanilla extract - Use a high-quality pure vanilla extract to enhance the sweetness and flavor of the rest of the ingredients.
- Rolled oats - Make sure to use certified gluten-free rolled oats.
- Protein powder - I recommend using a vanilla-flavored protein powder to avoid overpowering the rest of the ingredients, but unflavored protein powder or collagen powder also works.
- Chia seeds and flax seeds - These are the binder. They soak up moisture from the pumpkin so the mixture firms up in the fridge instead of staying sticky.
- Pumpkin spice - I use a store-bought pre-made blend, but you could also make your own with a combination of ½ teaspoon cinnamon, ¼ teaspoon nutmeg, and ¼ teaspoon cloves.
- Chocolate chips - I prefer to use mini chocolate chips so there is a little bit of chocolate in every bite. Enjoy Life brand is my go-to. However, any mini or regular-sized chocolate chips will work in this recipe.
Pumpkin Protein Balls Step-by-Step Instructions
These pumpkin energy balls are so easy, even the kids can help make them! Heads up, they do get a little bit messy, but they’re totally worth it, in my opinion.
Recipe Variations
- Skip the chocolate chips, and add pumpkin seeds instead.
- Add extra chocolate by coating the balls in melted chocolate.
- Swap the oats with puffed quinoa for extra crunch.
Ansley's Tips
- Make sure to use real pumpkin puree and not pumpkin pie filling. They are very different. The only ingredient in pumpkin puree should be pumpkin.
- Use a plain or vanilla-flavored protein powder for best flavor results.
- If the dough is too sticky to roll with your hands, place the bowl in the fridge for a few minutes to let the mixture firm up a little. This will make it easier to roll with your hands.
- Stir the oats in really well. You want to make sure the oats are well coated in the pumpkin and sunflower butter mixture so they become soft.
How to Store Pumpkin Spice Energy Balls
Store these bites in an airtight container or bag, and keep them in the fridge for up to 10 days.
You can also freeze these balls in a freezer-friendly bag. Let them thaw at room temperature before enjoying.
For more pumpkin recipes, check out my:
PS : If you make this recipe, be sure to leave a star review and comment below! Also be sure to follow along with me on Instagram and Pinterest to stay up to date on all tasty recipes here at The Fit Peach!
Recipe
Pumpkin Protein Balls
Equipment
- 1 Small Cookie Scoop
Ingredients
- 1 cup SunButter - no sugar added
- 1 cup pumpkin puree
- ½ cup maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups rolled oats
- ¼ cup protein powder of choice
- 2 tablespoon chia seeds
- 1 tablespoon flax seeds
- 2 teaspoon pumpkin spice
- ½ cup mini chocolate chips
Instructions
- Add the SunButter, pumpkin puree, maple syrup, and vanilla extract to a large bowl and whisk together to combine.1 cup SunButter, 1 cup pumpkin puree, ½ cup maple syrup, 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Add the rolled oats, protein powder, chia seeds, flax seeds, pumpkin spice, and mini chocolate chips and mix into the pumpkin mixture with a rubber spatula until well combined.2 cups rolled oats, ¼ cup protein powder of choice, 2 Tbsp chia seeds, 1 Tbsp flax seeds, 2 tsp pumpkin spice, ½ cup mini chocolate chips
- Use a small cookie scoop to scoop the mixture into a ball and roll it in between your hands (heads up, you will get messy!). Place the rolled pumpkin balls on a baking sheet and store in the fridge to firm up for about 10 minutes.
- Enjoy immediately or transfer to an airtight container or bag and snack on them for up to 10 days.
These sound delicious!
I’m not totally sure what the serving size is. The recipe says it yields 12 servings and the nutrition info says the serving is one serving. Is one protein ball one serving?
I agree, the way I had it was a bit confusing. The recipe makes about 35 balls and I figured 3 would be a reasonable "serving". That's where the 12 comes from. I've updated it though so you will see the nutrition info for 1 protein ball now!