This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
These pumpkin protein balls are the perfect healthy treat to satisfy your fall pumpkin cravings. They’re made with wholesome ingredients like pumpkin, oats, peanut butter and ground flaxseed.
When pumpkin season hits, there’s just nothing like infusing your favorite treats and snacks with fall flavors. If you love protein balls or energy bites, you’re going to love this one too.
And PS- go ahead and make my Monster Protein Balls next!
Protein Bites with Fall Flavors
Here’s why you’ll love these!
- Pumpkin pie vibes, no baking required. Warm spices, a touch of sweetness, and a soft, chewy texture all in a quick, no-bake bite.
- Meal-prep friendly. They store beautifully in the fridge or freezer, so make these ahead and you’ll always have a snack ready when hunger hits.
- Filling and balanced. With 11 grams of protein and 4 grams of fiber per serving, they’re satisfying enough to hold you over. I love pairing mine with a vanilla Greek yogurt for the perfect balanced snack!
- Done in minutes. Stir, roll, chill. That’s it!
Ingredients
- Quick oats: I like to use quick oats so that they blend in the food processor super quickly.
- Pumpkin puree: Of course, you’ll need pumpkin for this recipe! Make sure to grab real pumpkin puree and not pumpkin pie filling.
- Vanilla protein powder: Use whichever protein powder you want, but make sure it’s one that you enjoy. My personal favorite is Clean Simple Eats because it has great flavor and great nutrition stats too.
- Peanut butter: Creamy peanut butter works great, but you can also use almond butter, sunflower seed butter, or even cashew butter.
- Ground flaxseed: Flaxseed adds fiber and healthy omega-3 fatty acids, but it also helps to bind these protein balls together. Be sure to choose ground flaxseed, though. Whole flaxseed has a hard outer shell that locks all of its nutrition (besides fiber) inside!
- Maple syrup: Honey or agave work great here too, but I love the deep fall flavor that maple syrup brings.
- Pumpkin pie spice and cinnamon: Is it a pumpkin recipe without pumpkin pie spice? I like to use pumpkin pie spice and extra cinnamon for even more flavor.
- Mini chocolate chips: For a bit of sweetness and chocolate flavor!
- Salt: To balance the sweetness of the other ingredients.
Variation ideas
- White chocolate pumpkin. Use mini white chocolate chips instead of regular. Or, drizzle with melted white chocolate.
- Pumpkin pecan. Add 1/2 cup of chopped pecans (or walnuts) for a fun crunch.
- Monster pumpkin. Swap the chocolate chips for mini M&Ms instead.
- Chocolate pumpkin. Use chocolate protein powder and add a tablespoon cocoa powder.
How to Make Pumpkin Protein Bites
- Combine ingredients. Add the oats, pumpkin, maple syrup, ground flaxseed, peanut butter, protein powder, pumpkin pie spice, and cinnamon to a large mixing bowl.
- Mix very well until everything is incorporated. The mixture should be slightly sticky, but easily able to scoop and form into balls. If it appears to be too wet, add 2 tablespoons of extra oats at a time.
- Pulse oats. Start by adding quick oats to a food processor. Blend on high until oats resemble flour. Add salt, ground flax, protein powder, pumpkin spice, and cinnamon and pulse until ingredients are mixed evenly with the oat flour.
- Add remaining ingredients. Add peanut butter, pumpkin puree, and maple syrup.
- Combine. Process on high until the mixture forms a large ball in the food processor and ingredients are mixed thoroughly.
- Add chocolate chips. Gently stir mini chocolate chips in the food processor or add to a mixing bowl and mix in.
- Make balls. Use a cookie scoop or tablespoon to scoop out ~14 rounded tablespoon sized balls. Roll balls gently in your hands until the outside is smooth.
- Refrigerate and enjoy! Allow to set in the fridge for at least an hour (they can be enjoyed immediately but will be soft).
How To Store
Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you make these without protein powder?
Yes you can, but you’ll need to increase the dry ingredients or there will be too much moisture. You can do this by using 2 cups of rolled oats, adding some oat flour or coconut flour, or adding an extra 2 tbsp of flaxseed. They will also be lower in protein, of course. You can use collagen protein powder, too!
Can I use chia seeds instead of flax?
Yes! Swap out flaxseed for chia seeds instead. Just keep in mind that the chia seed might make the balls a tiny bit crunchier. Both will add fiber and healthy fats!
You’ll Also Love:
Pumpkin Protein Balls
No bake pumpkin protein balls made with wholesome ingredients like oats, pumpkin and ground flaxseed.
Ingredients
- 1 3/4 cups quick oats
- 1/8 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp if using unsalted PB
- 2 tbsp ground flaxseed
- 1/3 cup vanilla protein powder
- 3/4 tsp pumpkin spice
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 cup peanut butter
- 1/2 cup pumpkin puree
- 1-2 tbsp maple syrup
- 3-4 tbsp mini chocolate chips
Instructions
- Start by adding quick oats to a food processor. Blend on high until oats resemble flour.
- Next add salt, ground flax, protein powder, pumpkin spice, and cinnamon and pulse until ingredients are mixed evenly with the oat flour.
- Use a cookie scoop and then roll into a ball with your hands. Place each ball onto the parchment paper. This recipe makes about 16 balls.
- Add peanut butter, pumpkin puree, and maple syrup. Process on high until the mixture forms a large ball in the food processor and ingredients are mixed thoroughly.
- Gently stir mini chocolate chips in the food processor or add to a mixing bowl and mix in.
- Use a cookie scoop or tablespoon to scoop out ~14 rounded tablespoon sized balls. Roll balls gently in your hands until the outside is smooth.
- Allow to set in the fridge for at least an hour (they can be enjoyed immediately but will be soft).
Notes
Store in an airtight container for up to a week.
Nutrition
Serving: 2balls | Calories: 263kcal | Carbohydrates: 27g | Protein: 11g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 11mg | Sodium: 136mg | Potassium: 277mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 2725IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 65mg | Iron: 2mg
Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should only be used as an estimate.
Did you try this recipe?Leave a comment + star rating below!
