No-Bake Healthy Pumpkin Balls (Trader Joe's Hack!)
Makes: 6-7 Servings
Per Serving: 5g Protein | 70 Cal
Who else is excited for pumpkin season? As soon as the leaves start turning and the air gets crisp, I’m all about those cozy, autumnal flavors. But, as much as I love a good treat, sometimes I want a pumpkin treat that doesn’t require hours in the kitchen or a long list of ingredients and still helps me reach my health goals. That’s where these Pumpkin Protein Bites come in!
These protein balls are like little bites of pumpkin pie or a pumpkin spice latte in the form of a healthy snack but with the added bonus of being high in protein and super easy to make. Whether you’re on the go, need a quick pre or post-workout snack, or just want something to nibble on while you sip your morning coffee, this pumpkin protein ball recipe is the perfect solution. And the best part? You only need three ingredients and about 10 minutes to whip them up.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
Quick and Easy: With just three simple ingredients and no baking required, these pumpkin balls come together in minutes. Perfect for busy days when you need a nutritious snack on the fly.
High in Protein: Thanks to the addition of your favorite protein powder, these pumpkin balls pack a protein punch, keeping you full and energized between meals.
Perfect for Fall: If you like the flavor of cozy pumpkin pie spices, these bites are a must-try. They're the perfect snack for this time of year.
Versatile: Customize these bites to your liking! Whether you want to add a sprinkle of cinnamon, some chocolate chips, or swap in your preferred milk, the possibilities are endless.
Great for On-the-Go: These bites are portable and store well, making them an easy snack to take to work, school, or the gym.
Ingredients
3 Pumpkin Cereal Bars (Trader Joe’s is my go-to)
1-2 scoops vanilla plant-based protein powder (vegan works better here)
6 tablespoons almond milk
Instructions
Crumble the Bars: Start by unwrapping your pumpkin cereal bars and placing them in a medium-sized bowl. Crumble the bars into small pieces.
Add the Protein Powder: Next, add your protein powder of choice to the crumbled cereal bars. Mix everything together with a spoon.
Incorporate the Almond Milk: Slowly add almond milk to the dry ingredients, one tablespoon at a time. You don't want to add too much moisture to the mixture or you won't be able to form the dough into balls, so stop adding milk if it starts to get too mushy.
Form the Bites: Once your dough is ready, line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Scoop out about two tablespoons of dough and roll it into a ball (you can use a small cookie scoop for this to minimize mess). Place the ball on the lined baking sheet and repeat until all the dough is used up.
Enjoy: Your Pumpkin Protein Bites are ready to enjoy. You can store them in the fridge in an airtight container for a few days or freeze them for longer storage.
Pro Tips
Adjust the Sweetness: If you like your snacks on the sweeter side, consider adding a drizzle of honey or agave nectar or a few mini chocolate chips to the mixture. You could also add a few drops of vanilla extract to boost the vanilla flavor and highlight the sweetness of the pumpkin balls.
Mix It Up: Feel free to swap out the almond milk for any other milk you prefer. Coconut milk, oat milk, cashew milk, and more would all work well here.
Make It Crunchy: For added texture, throw in a handful of nuts or seeds before forming the bites. Stay on theme with pumpkin seeds, mix in chia seeds or flax seeds, or opt for some finely chopped pecans or walnuts.
Spice It Up: Amp up the pumpkin spice flavor in these pumpkin balls by adding a pinch of ground cinnamon, nutmeg, or even a dash of pumpkin pie spice to the mixture.
Coconut Dream: If you're a coconut fan, try using coconut milk instead of almond milk and roll the bites in shredded coconut before chilling.
Berry Bliss: For a fruity twist, toss in some dried cranberries or raisins. The tartness pairs beautifully with the sweet pumpkin flavor.
FAQs
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Absolutely! While the pumpkin flavor is perfect for fall, you can easily switch it up with whatever flavor you have on hand. Blueberry would be great for summer! Add some mini white chocolate chips for a sweet treat.
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These bites can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. You can also freeze them for up to a month—just let them thaw for a few minutes before enjoying.
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You sure can, but you may want to use less almond milk (or leave it out altogether). Creamy almond butter, sunflower seed butter, cashew butter, or even creamy peanut butter would all be delicious.
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These Pumpkin Protein Bites are the perfect seasonal snack to keep you fueled throughout the day. Plus, they’re so easy to make, you’ll find yourself whipping up a batch whenever you need a quick and tasty treat!
Try these other high-protein pumpkin recipes from Protein Snack Queen:
No-Bake High-Protein Pumpkin Cheesecake
High-Protein Pumpkin Bread
Pumpkin Balls
Ingredients
- 3 Pumpkin Cereal Bars (Trader Joe’s is my go-to)
- 1-2 scoops vanilla plant-based protein powder (vegan works better here)
- 6 tablespoons almond milk
Instructions
- Crumble the Bars: Start by unwrapping your pumpkin cereal bars and placing them in a medium-sized bowl. Crumble the bars into small pieces.
- Add the Protein Powder: Next, add your protein powder of choice to the crumbled cereal bars. Mix everything together with a spoon.
- Incorporate the Almond Milk: Slowly add almond milk to the dry ingredients, one tablespoon at a time. You don't want to add too much moisture to the mixture or you won't be able to form the dough into balls, so stop adding milk if it starts to get too mushy.
- Form the Bites: Once your dough is ready, line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Scoop out about two tablespoons of dough and roll it into a ball (you can use a small cookie scoop for this to minimize mess). Place the ball on the lined baking sheet and repeat until all the dough is used up.
- Enjoy: Your Pumpkin Protein Bites are ready to enjoy. You can store them in the fridge in an airtight container for a few days or freeze them for longer storage
