Pumpkin Protein Balls (No Bake Bites with Oat Flour)

These easy pumpkin protein balls are quick to make, cute as can be, and have a smooth delectable texture. With rich vanilla and cinnamon flavor and only 15 minutes of hands-on prep time, they’re the perfect seasonal snack to have on hand. Pumpkin pie spice, real pumpkin purée, creamy peanut butter, oat flour and protein powder come together with a few other simple ingredients to create a snack full of healthy fats for the fall season.

There’s something about fall season that triggers all things cozy, spice filled and comforting. Whether you’re a pumpkin spice latte lover or roll your eyes at the concept, you’ve gotta admit, nothing screams fall like cinnamon and pumpkin.

These no bake pumpkin protein balls perfectly fit the bill with pumpkin spice flavor and actual pumpkin packaged in the most adorable pumpkin shaped snack bites. Plus you can use the leftover canned pumpkin to make these oat flour pumpkin muffins!

Energy bites are a great treat alternative for days when you’d rather satisfy your sweet tooth with a healthy snack than gorge on cookies. There’s a time and place for both in my opinion but some days, I just want to feel good, ya know?

These are a helpful post-workout snack, a little protein boost to go with breakfast, or a mid-afternoon pick me up. I am always looking for way to get more protein into my day and recommend pairing these with an apple, pear or other piece of fruit as a quick snack.

Here’s what you’ll love about this recipe:

• Easy and fun to make
• Only uses one bowl
• Tasty pumkin spice fall flavor
• Healthy and full of good for you ingredients
• Naturally gluten-free with gluten-free oat flour
• Easily vegan by swapping the honey and using plant based protein powder, and dairy free chocolate chips

Ingredients and Substitutions

The ingredients needed for this pumpkin protein ball recipe are pretty simple and are most likely already all in your pantry.

• canned pumpkin – this adds both nutrition and a genuine pumpkin flavor and feel! I tested using more pumpkin and 1/3 cup really was the maximum threshold where the energy balls still tasted good. While I love the idea of adding more, I wouldn’t recommend adding much more than this. Or if you make your own, homemade pumpkin puree works great too!
• peanut butter – I used a natural, unsalted peanut butter. You can substitute another nut butter (almond butter, cashew butter, etc.), or even sun butter or tahini to make them nut free.
• oat flour⁠ – use store bought oat flour or make your own oat flour using a high speed blender.
• vanilla or unflavored protein powder – either works! I tested the recipe with both and preferred the unflavored with added vanilla extract because my vanilla protein powder was too sweet. You can use whichever you prefer though and use less honey if your vanilla protein powder is too sweet too. I used a plant based pea protein powder in all of my tests but whey would work great if you prefer it.
• honey – sweetens and helps stick everything together. You can substitute agave or maple syrup if needed.
• pumpkin pie spice – this adds that pumpkin spice flavor we all love! If you don’t have a pre-mixed pumpkin spice, you add these spices instead: 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon + 1/8 teaspoon each of ginger, nutmeg, allspice, and ground clove.
• vanilla extract⁠ – entirely optional and you can certainly omit if using vanilla protein powder.
•  salt – just a pinch to hep balance the flavors, but again, this is optional.

Additional Ingredients and Substitutions

• sugar – the sugar coating adds both visual appeal and an extra touch of sweetness. Any kind of granular sugar works here. Choose whatever you have or prefer. I thought it was best with plain or raw sugar but coconut sugar works too.
• cinnamon – ground cinnamon adds a touch more spice to the overall flavor profile.
• chocolate chips⁠ – chocolate chips make the pumpkin stems. They also add a bit of chocolate and another bit of texture to each ball. Semi-sweet chocolate chips, milk or dark chocolate chips are all great options.

How to Make Pumpkin Protein Balls

This might just be the easiest fall snack you try yet. With their fun shape, they’re a festive protein snack that can even sub in as a sweet fix if you’re trying not to indulge.

Here’s how to make them:

1. Combine pumpkin, peanut butter, oat flour, protein powder, honey, pumpkin pie spice, and vanilla in a medium bowl and stir to mix together.
   
2. Scoop out approximately 16 small balls and use your hands to roll and place on a plate. (A small cookie scoop works great for scooping similar sized balls).
   
3. Cover and refrigerate balls for 15 minutes.*
4. In a small separate bowl, mix 2 Tbsp. sugar with 1 ½ teaspoons cinnamon.
   
5. Remove balls from refrigerator and roll each one in cinnamon and sugar mixture and then place back on the plate.
   
6. Use a toothpick to create partial indentations on the sides of each ball to make them look like a pumpkin.
   
7. Top each one with a chocolate chip to act as a stem and enjoy! Refrigerate leftover protein balls in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
   

Variations

These pumpkin spice protein balls are tasty as written but here are some optional substitutions, variations and fun twists!

• Peanut Butter Swaps: almond butter, cashew butter or whatever you prefer. To make nut free, you can use sunflower seed butter, or tahini. 
• Make it Vegan: Use pure maple syrup or agave syrup instead of honey, make sure to use plant-based protein powder and dairy free chocolate chips.
• Add Texture: Replace some of the oat flour with chia seeds, hemp hearts, ground flaxseed, shredded coconut, and/or some whole oats for extra texture and nutrition.
• More Chocolate: Stir in some mini chocolate chips or use chocolate protein powder and less pumpkin spice for a chocolatey protein ball.
• Add Nuts: Toasted pecans, crushed up and white chocolate chips would be a delicious combination.

Tips and Notes

Storage and Freezing

Refrigerator Storage: store truffles in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. I do not recommend storing at room temperature for more than a few hours or they will soften and won’t maintain their shape.

Freezer Storage: freeze in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator for a few hours to overnight or on the countertop for 45 minutes to an hour.

More Protein Ball Recipes

Peanut Butter Energy Bites

Pecan Pie Energy Balls