Pumpkin Protein Balls
Ever since working for Designed to Fit Nutrition (check it out to see what you’re missing HERE), I have been relying on protein balls not just for me, but also for all of my clients. They are incredibly easy to make and only take a few minutes of your spare (okay busy life) time. They are easy to grab and go and store well in the fridge/freezer. Make a bunch of these on your meal prep day and BOOM, you are ready to go for the week.
Prepping your meals and snacks is a great way to make sure you eat enough (and enough of the right stuff) throughout your busy week. Many of us are good at eating carbs and fats (hello chips!) but we tend to fall short on our protein needs. We expect to be able to walk the dog, keep up with our kids and workout on the regular but we don’t feed our body and muscles what it needs, PROTEIN (aka, GAINZ).
Don’t worry, I’m no different.
I go through my day and reach for coffee, carbs, fats, more coffee, and occasionally some protein, and of course, more coffee. It was not until I realized a protein ball could make my life easier and more delicious! I decided I’d try a stab at protein balls because I like to experiment AND give my clients new recipes! Of course, my gym got to benefit first from my experimentation. AND surprisingly, they went so fast (aka the owner ate them all) that I had to make a second batch for everyone to try! I guess if I post on Instagram, it’s GAME ON.
Pumpkin Everyday All Day
Ok, so #HatersGonnaHate. But as I said the other day, SORRY NOT SORRY, I love what I love and I yam who I yam.
This recipe is inspired by fall and everything pumpkin. Call me basic, but I love pumpkin. No, I’m not a PSL (Pumpkin Spice Latte) fan as I prefer my coffee dark and non-sweet. But, I could eat pumpkin year round. Pumpkin soup, pumpkin seeds, pumpkin smoothies, pumpkin pie, pumpkin ice cream, pumpkin STRAIGHT UP!
Who is with me!
If I got married in the Fall months I said I was going to try and have Pumpkin Pies instead of cake…I guess I still could have done it in June, but I saved my guests the weirdness and basicness of my love for pumpkin-everything and opted for flourless chocolate cake, which i supposed could also be considered basic…
So, yes, I love pumpkin, and this is just the start of pumpkin season, as we are T- 1 day until the first day of Fall. I’ll miss summer but the seasons are a-okay with me (minus the 10 month long winter, let’s shorten that to Christmas/New Years only, ok great thanks bye).
Pro Tip: these are sticky, if you get some on your fingers, lick it off and don’t complain. You’re welcome 🙂
Ingredients
- 1 Cup Rolled Oats
- 2 Tablespoons chia seeds
- 1/3 cup protein powder, vanilla or churro (I used sfh churro)
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 cup nut butter (I used sunflower seed butter)
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
- 1/2 cup pumpkin puree
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup coconut flakes
- 1/4 cup dried cherries, optional
Instructions
- Mix oats, chia seeds, protein powder and cinnamon in a large bowl, set aside.
- In a medium bowl mix nut butter, maple syrup, pumpkin puree, and vanilla, pour over dry ingredients and mix well.
- Add in coconut flakes and dried cherries until well mixed
- Place mixture in refrigerator for 5-10 minutes
- Roll into 20 small balls and place in refrigerator or freezer until ready to eat!
What is your favorite fall flavor?
xoxo,
Sass
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