Pumpkin Protein Balls

Prep Time: 10 Minutes

Cook Time: 0 Minutes

Course: Breakfast, Snack

Servings 10

Equipment

• mixing bowl, measuring cups

• Melon scoop

Ingredients

• 2 cups rolled oats (gluten-free if desired)

• ½ cup vanilla whey protein powder (about 1 scoop; ~20g protein)

• ¼ cup hemp seeds or chia seeds

• 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice

• 1 tsp fine sea salt

• ½ cup pumpkin purée

• ½ cup natural peanut butter (or almond butter)

• ¼ cup pure maple syrup

• ⅓ cup dark chocolate chips

• ⅓ cup dried cranberries (optional)

Instructions

• Mix dry ingredients:
  In a large bowl, combine oats, protein powder, hemp (or chia) seeds, pumpkin pie spice, and salt. Stir well.

• Add wet ingredients:
  Stir in pumpkin purée, peanut butter, and maple syrup. Mix until a thick dough forms.

• Fold in chocolate chips.
  If the dough feels too dry, add 1–2 tablespoons of warm water. If it’s too sticky, add a bit more oats.

• Roll into balls:
  Scoop about 1½ tablespoons of mixture and roll into bite-sized balls (you’ll get 18–20).

• Chill:
  Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to firm up.

• Store:
  Keep in the fridge for up to 1 week or freeze for up to 3 months.

Notes:

Freeze in grab n go bags in the freezer and you will always be prepared with something healthy!