Pumpkin Protein Balls

Name: Pumpkin Protein Balls
Prep time: 10 min
Ingredients: 1/4 cup pumpkin puree; 3/4 cup almond butter; 1/3 cup maple syrup; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 3/4 cup old-fashioned rolled oats; 1/2 cup vanilla protein powder; 2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice; 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt; 1 tablespoon ground flaxseed ((optional)); 1 tablespoon chia seeds ((optional)); 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips

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These pumpkin protein balls have the perfect blend of flavors that will remind you of the fall season. They're also packed with protein and nutrients and come together in less than 10 minutes for the perfect easy snack.

A plate with six pumpkin protein balls and a bowl of pumpkin puree in the background.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This recipe uses simple ingredients
They're a great meal prep option for a quick snack throughout the week
These pumpkin spice protein balls are a great addition to your festive fall recipe line-up
They're ready in less than 10 minutes and a no-bake recipe
It's a great option for a snack on the go or a pre-workout snack
They're also a great snack if you have a sweet tooth

Ingredient Notes

Ingredients needed for pumpkin protein balls: rolled oats, maple syrup, vanilla extract, vanilla protein powder, pumpkin puree, pumpkin pie spice, salt, almond butter, and mini chocolate chips.

Pumpkin puree - for this recipe you'll need canned pumpkin puree, not canned pumpkin pie filling. Look for canned pumpkin with one ingredient—pumpkin!
Almond butter - almond butter has a subtly nutty flavor that blends perfectly with the other cozy fall flavors. Pick a creamy almond butter with just almonds and salt. Almond butter is a great way to add healthy fats in your diet.
Pure maple syrup - pure maple syrup adds the perfect sweetness and fall flavor to these pumpkin oatmeal protein balls.
Vanilla extract & salt - just a splash of vanilla and a dash of salt.
Old-fashioned rolled oats - Use old-fashioned rolled oats for this recipe. Our favorite brand is the One Degree brand from Costco.
Vanilla protein powder - use a high quality, tasty protein powder for this recipe. Our personal favorites are Clean Simple Eats*, Truvani*, and Just Ingredients.
Pumpkin pie spice - no pumpkin protein ball is complete without pumpkin pie spice. You can purchase it from the store or create your own at home with a mix of spices.
Ground flax seed and chia seeds - these ingredients are optional, but we love to add them in.
Mini chocolate chips - mini chocolate chips are our favorite addition to protein balls. Just the right amount of sweetness! We love adding semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips.

See the recipe card below for a complete list of ingredients and measurements.

Equipment You’ll Need

Measuring cups and spoons
Baking sheet and parchment paper for easy clean-up
Mixing bowl and spatula

Step by Step Directions

For the full recipe instructions, scroll down to the recipe card at the bottom of the page.

A large mixing bowl with pumpkin puree, almond butter, maple syrup, and vanilla extract.

Add the pumpkin puree, almond butter, maple syrup, and vanilla extract to a bowl. Mix well.

The combined wet ingredients for pumpkin protein balls with oats, salt, pumpkin pie spice, and vanilla protein powder.

Add the rolled oats, protein powder, pumpkin pie spice, salt, and chia/flax seeds (optional). Mix well.

The pumpkin protein ball batter with mini chocolate chips.

Mix in the mini chocolate chips and mix well.

Pumpkin protein balls lined up in rows on a parchment-lined baking sheet.

Use a cookie scoop for ease and scoop the mixture into balls. Place them on the baking sheet. After scooping all the batter, place the protein balls into an air tight container in the fridge or freezer.

Tips & Variations

Instead of almond butter, you can use cashew butter. You can also use sunflower butter for a nut-free option. If you use a creamy peanut butter, note that the flavor will differ since peanut butter is a stronger flavor.
You can use dark, milk, semisweet, or white chocolate chips.
A few sprinkles of hemp seeds or pumpkin seeds are also a great addition.
A cookie scoop helps to make the process easier and faster.
If you want a stronger pumpkin flavor, you can slightly increase the amount of pumpkin pie spice.
If you find that the batter is too runny, add a few more tablespoons of oats until you reach the desired consistency. If it is too dry, you can try adding a little bit more pumpkin puree, almond butter, or maple syrup (if not too sweet for your liking).

An overhead shot of a plate with seven pumpkin protein balls with a bowl of pumpkin puree and a striped linen cloth in the background.

FAQ

How should I store these pumpkin protein bites?

Store the protein balls in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 10 days or the freezer for 2 months. If you freeze them, let them come to room temperature before eating.

Is it (GF/DF/V/VG)?

Yes, these protein balls can be made gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan, and vegetarian.
Make it dairy-free and vegan: use a plant-based protein powder and dairy-free/vegan chocolate chips.
Make it gluten-free: ensure the oats you use are certified gluten-free.

If you like these pumpkin pie protein balls, check out a few of our other recipes perfect for fall:

If you make these delicious pumpkin energy bites, please let us know how they turn out in the comments below and/or rate the recipe! Don’t forget to tag us on Instagram to show us your finished product—it makes our day every time we see you trying the recipes we love!