PUMPKIN PEANUT BUTTER OATS PROTEIN BALLS

Since lunch is hard for me to come up with, a good option for me is to have protein balls to eat along with my Greek yogurt. These energy balls caught my attention honestly because of the picture from Clean Food Crush. I admit I changed the title mainly because I wanted to focus on other ingredients instead of the chocolate chips. I also substituted vanilla protein powder instead of the ground flax seeds.

UPDATE: I froze some and had them in a ziplock freezer bag and forgot about them. When I finally found them, I was surprised they were still tasty. I just can't say enough good things about these protein balls.

PRINT recipe.

PUMPKIN PEANUT BUTTER OATS PROTEIN BALLS

3        cups dry oats (I used glutton free thick cut oats)
1         cup pumpkin puree
1         cup peanut butter
2/3    cup pure maple syrup or honey (I did use honey)
1/2     teaspoon cinnamon
1/2     teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
1/2     tablespoon vanilla extract
1         scoop vanilla protein powder
1         cup chopped walnuts, almonds, peanuts, coconut flakes, or any combination of mix-ins that equal 1 cup (I just used the chopped walnuts)
1/2     cup mini chocolate chips

Combine the oats, pumpkin, peanut butter, and honey. Mix well.

Add cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice, and vanilla. Mix well.

Add protein powder, nuts, and chips. 

Stir sides of bowl as needed.

Line cookie sheet with wax paper. Form mixture into balls about 1 inch in diameter. (I used my cookie scoop and used two "flat" scoops to form into a ball in the palm of my hand.)

Place in freezer and leave for an hour.

Store balls in airtight container. Can store in the freezer and remove when ready to eat.

Made 32 protein balls.