High Protein Pumpkin Bites (Printable version)
Spiced pumpkin and protein combine in these bite-sized snacks. Naturally sweet, no baking required, ready in 15 minutes.
# What you need:
→ Dry Ingredients
01 - 1 cup rolled oats (gluten-free if needed)
02 - 1/2 cup vanilla protein powder
03 - 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
04 - 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
05 - 1/8 tsp ground ginger
06 - Pinch of salt
→ Wet Ingredients
07 - 1/2 cup pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling)
08 - 1/4 cup almond butter or peanut butter
09 - 1/4 cup pure maple syrup
10 - 1 tsp vanilla extract
→ Add-Ins
11 - 2 tbsp mini dark chocolate chips (optional)
12 - 2 tbsp chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)
# How to make it:
01 - In a large mixing bowl, combine oats, protein powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and salt.
02 - In a separate bowl, stir together pumpkin puree, nut butter, maple syrup, and vanilla extract until smooth.
03 - Add the wet mixture to the dry ingredients. Stir until well combined and a thick dough forms.
04 - Fold in chocolate chips and nuts, if using.
05 - Scoop out heaping tablespoons of the mixture and roll into balls using your hands (about 1 inch in diameter).
06 - Place the bites on a parchment-lined tray or plate.
07 - Chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving to help them set.
# Expert tips:
01 -
- They actually taste like pumpkin pie but with 4 grams of protein per bite
- The texture is fudgy and satisfying, not chalky like some protein snacks
- You can make a whole batch in literally 15 minutes with zero baking
02 -
- The dough will seem too wet at first but keep mixing and it will come together
- These taste better after chilling overnight, if you can wait that long
- Different protein powders absorb moisture differently so add a teaspoon of water if its too crumbly
03 -
- Line your container with parchment paper so they dont stick to each other
- Room temperature nut butter blends much easier than cold from the fridge