Name: Pumpkin Spice Protein Balls
Prep time: 10 min
Total time: 10 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 3/4 cup peanut butter (187g); 1/2 cup pitted soft dates, packed (85g); 1/4 cup protein powder, vanilla or unflavoured (34g); 1/4 cup chia seeds (40g); 1/3 cup oat flour (45g); 2 tsp pumpkin pie spice; 1/4 tsp salt; Dark chocolate; Hemp hearts; Coconut flakes; Crispy rice

vegan pumpkin protein balls with chocolate and hemp seeds landscape photo

These Pumpkin Spice Protein Balls are made with just 6 ingredients, in under 10 minutes and all in 1 food processor. Tender and crunchy balls that taste like fall- they’re high in protein, low in sugar, vegan & gluten free.

vegan pumpkin protein balls on a baking tray

Protein balls and energy bites are on the top of my meal prep list that I make weekly. They’re just the most convenient little snack packed with wholesome ingredients. Plus, they’re so much more cheaper to make at home than buying vegan protein bars cause that ishhhh can get pricey $$$.

Because it is officially fall, I wanted to make some kind of pumpkin energy balls that were quick and easy to make, no bake, high in protein and naturally sweetened with dates. This recipe covers all the requirements and are seriously so delicious! The taste is not too sweet (thanks to the dates), perfectly nutty (thanks to the peanut butter) with the pumpkin pie spice coming right through. The texture is tender and chewy, yet still crunchy thanks to the chia seeds. To make these nut free, you can also switch up the peanut butter for sunflower butter!

vegan pumpkin spice protein balls ingredients

Ingredients in these Pumpkin Spice Protein Balls

Just 6 ingredients (plus a dash of salt) needed to make these delish pumpkin spice protein balls! You probably already have these in your pantry right now too 😉

Peanut butter: Used as the binder. You can also use any nut butter or seed butter for a nut-free version.
Dates: A natural sweetener that also helps with binding.
Protein powder: To boost the protein content and give it body.
Chia seeds: To boost up the healthy fats and increase omega-3s.
Oat flour: To help mold these protein bites. Make your own oat flour by blending the same amount in grams until a flour consistency.
Pumpkin pie spice: Duhhhh, cause these are pumpkin spice protein balls!

And for some extra yumminess, add on your choice of toppings. I really like drizzling on some dark chocolate and topping it off with some maple hemp seeds!

how to make vegan pumpkin protein balls step by step in food processor

How to Make Pumpkin Spice Protein Balls

The best thing about homemade protein balls is that they’re actually so easy to make. Blend. Roll. Freeze.

Add all the ingredients into a food processor and blend until combined.
Take a tbsp of the mixture and roll into a ball.
Optional, but recommended… top with your favourite toppings!
Place in the fridge or freezer to let them firm up then gobble ’em up.

drizzling on chocolate over vegan protein bites

A quick tip on making protein balls: Depending on how soft your dates are, how runny your nut butter is and how absorbent the protein powder is, the mixture may come out too wet or too dry. If you find the mixture to be too wet, add in more protein powder or oat flour. If you find the mixture to be too dry, add in more nut butter or dates.

How to Store Pumpkin Spice Protein Bites

I find these pumpkin balls stay freshest stored in an air container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks (if they last that long!). If you double, or even triple a batch, they’ll stay good in the freezer for about a month. Eat straight out of the fridge or freezer (my preferred way of eating them) or let them sit at room temperature for super soft and tender protein balls.

How many grams of protein do these pumpkin protein balls have?

These pumpkin protein bites have 6 grams of protein EACH! Eat two of them and thats an easy 12 grams of protein right there. They’re the perfect post work-out snack, breakfast or afternoon pick-me-up.

close up of vegan pumpkin protein balls side bite shot

These pumpkin spice protein balls are seriously SO good I hope you try and love them as much as I do! They’re a great snack to meal prep because of how easy and quick they are to make.

More No-Bake Energy Balls to Try!

holding a pumpkin energy bite in hand with a bite shot

If you recreate this Pumpkin Spice Protein Balls recipe let me know how you liked it by leaving a comment and rating below or by tagging me on Instagram @Okonomikitchen, I love seeing all of your tasty recreations!
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