My partner and I do a lot of workouts during the week. And he’s prepping for Ocean Man in Goa in a few months.
This gives me the opportunity to work on a lot of high-protein recipes.
Since Fall is approaching, I’ve already covered multiple fall recipes in the last few weeks. I’ll link to them below!
These no-bake protein balls are so good!
With warm spices, creamy nut butter, oats, and real pumpkin purée, they taste like little bites of pumpkin pie, but way healthier.
They’re no-bake, gluten-free, and come together in under 15 minutes.
Whether you need a pre-workout snack, something to curb that 4 PM hunger crash, or just a cozy little bite of fall, these energy balls are so satisfying and endlessly customizable.
Plus, they store beautifully in the fridge or freezer for whenever you need them.
You don’t need fancy ingredients or a blender or anything high-maintenance.
Please note I’m adding variations and substitutions after the recipe.
Let’s dive in!
Please note that this post includes affiliate links. If you purchase anything through a link, I make a commission at no extra cost to you.
Tips to Make it Even Better
- Use high-quality vanilla protein powder for a better flavor and texture.
- Stir with a silicone spatula to avoid sticking when mixing nut butter and pumpkin.
- Try a cookie scoop to get evenly-sized balls every time.
- Boost the flavor with a touch of real vanilla extract.
- Add mini dark chocolate chips for a pumpkin-chocolate twist.
No-Bake Pumpkin Protein Balls
Course: DessertDifficulty: Easy12-14
balls10
minutesIngredients
1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
½ cup pumpkin purée (not pumpkin pie filling)
½ cup natural almond butter or peanut butter
½ cup vanilla protein powder
1–2 tablespoons maple syrup
1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
½ teaspoon cinnamon
Pinch of salt
Optional: mini chocolate chips, chopped nuts, or shredded coconut
Directions
- In a large bowl, combine the oats, protein powder, pumpkin pie spice, cinnamon, and salt. Stir until the dry ingredients are well mixed.
- Then, add in the pumpkin purée, almond butter, and maple syrup. Use a sturdy spoon or clean hands to mix everything together until a thick, sticky dough forms.
- If the mixture feels too dry, add a splash of almond milk or more pumpkin. Once it’s mixed, scoop out tablespoon-sized portions and roll them into smooth balls.
- Place on a parchment-lined tray and chill for 15 minutes to firm up, or store in the fridge in an airtight container for up to one week.
- This is a fun treat to have even to satisfy cravings!
Variations & Substitutions
- Swap the almond butter with sunflower seed butter to make it nut-free
- Use chocolate or cinnamon protein powder instead of vanilla for a richer flavor
- Stir in 1 tablespoon of flaxseed meal or chia seeds for a fiber boost
- Roll the balls in crushed nuts or coconut for texture
- If you don’t have pumpkin pie spice, mix your own with cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and clove
They’re ridiculously easy, endlessly customizable, and honestly, they beat any store-bought protein bar by a mile.
Make a double batch. Your future self will thank you.
Here are a few posts you may enjoy:
