Energy balls and/or protein balls are hands down one of my favorite snacks to make for the week . My older sister Natalie introduced them to me a while back. She had the best name for them: “Natty Natty Pow Pow’s”. Natalie would just throw a bunch of ingredients together to make some killer balls. Any time she was home I would ask her to make a batch for me.
After eating them for the first time I was hooked. It was time I started making them without my sister’s help (even though her’s were always the best). I did some research and found a recipe for Pumpkin Spice energy balls, and since I love all things pumpkin spice, I gave them a try.
I’ve made so many different types of energy balls. Some contain a lot more protein than others, but either way they are the perfect snack to grab and go!
Pumpkin Spice Energy Balls
Ingredients:
- 3 cups dry, uncooked oatmeal (I used gluten-free thick cut oats)
- 1 cup of all-natural Pumpkin Puree
- 1 cup pure maple syrup or raw honey
- 1 cup of all-natural peanut butter or almond butter
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon pumpkin spice
- 1/2 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 4-6 tablespoons of ground flax seed
- 1/2 cup of mini-dark chocolate chips
Instructions:
- Combine all ingredients into a medium sized bowl. Mix well!
- Use about a tablespoon of the mixture to make each ball.
- Place on a cookie sheet and let freeze for an hour
- Store in an airtight container and keep in the fridge for up to a week!
**Note: If the mixture seems too wet feel free to add more ground flaxseed.
Also, if you want add protein powder to these feel free. I would suggest either a natural protein without any flavor or maybe a vanilla.
Energy Balls are a super simple way to get some extra nutrients throughout the day. You can throw whatever you want into the mix. My favorite ones to make are my dark chocolate, coconut, cranberry protein balls. They have healthy fats, protein, and lots of fiber!
Feel free to pair your energy balls with a yogurt bowl, a smoothie, or even some ice cream.
Let me know if you give these a go, and enjoy!