Pumpkin Spice Protein Balls

The kids are back to school and everyone is settling into the Fall routine. Days are getting shorter and mornings are cooler. The local coffee shops are all offering their version of a “Pumpkin Spice Latte”, so we decided to jump on the band wagon and make some Pumpkin Spice Protein Balls. Before we know it, the leaves will be turning and it will be pumpkins, pumpkins everywhere!!! So here is a way to get your pumpkin “fix” without compromising your healthy habits.

Ingredients

½ cup peanut butter or almond butter (use a no sugar added version-our favorite is Trader Joe’s)
¼ cup oats (I blended my a bit in my Vitamix)
1 Tablespoon flax meal
½ cup pumpkin flavored protein powder (we use the Isagenix pumpkin spice protein powder, but you can use any vanilla protein powder and add 1 tsp cinnamon, 1 tsp ginger and ½ tsp cloves)
1 teaspoon cinnamon (add 2 teaspoons if using vanilla protein powder)
3 Tablespoons honey
1 teaspoon vanilla
¼ cup mini chocolate chips, raisins or other dried fruit chopped fine (optional)

Mix all ingredients in a medium bowl until blended. Roll into 1 inch balls. Refrigerate and stop in a tupperware for up to 2 weeks. Believe me…they will not last 2 weeks because they are so YUMMY!!!

This batch is made with peanut butter, some have mini chocolate chips as well.

Peanut butter, pumpkin spice protein balls.

 

This batch was made with crunchy almond butter and looks a bit heartier because I did not pulse the oats quite as fine and the peanut butter batch.

Have fun preparing these. You will make tons of new friends when ever you serve these!!!