Pumpkin Spice Protein Bites
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These no-bake protein bites are full of warm fall flavors and are a perfect snack any time of day or as fuel pre- or post-exercise.
Ingredients
  • 1 cup cashew butter
  • ½ cup plain pumpkin purée (not pumpkin pie filling)
  • ½ cup pecans
  • 6 tablespoons maple syrup
  • 2 tablespoons unsulphured blackstrap molasses
  • 3 scoops vanilla whey protein powder
  • 1½ cups rolled oats
  • 1¼ cups puffed brown rice cereal
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon*
  • ¼ teaspoon nutmeg*
  • ¼ teaspoon cloves*
  • ¼ teaspoon ground ginger*
  • (Alternately you could use 1½ teaspoons pumpkin pie spice)
  • Optional toppings/mix-ins:
  • - Dried unsweetened coconut
  • - Dark chocolate chips
  • - Graham cracker crumbs
Instructions
  1. Combine cashew butter, maple syrup, and molasses in a small bowl. Microwave for 30 seconds and then mix well. Stir in pumpkin puree and protein powder.
  2. In a large bowl combine oats, brown rice cereal, spices, and pecans.
  3. Pour wet mixture over dry ingredients and stir until well mixed. Mixture will be sticky.
  4. Place dough in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to chill. This will help with rolling into balls.
  5. Form into balls the size of about 2 tablespoons.
  6. Optional: Roll balls in shredded coconut or graham cracker crumbs. Mix chocolate chips into dough before rolling into balls.
Notes
If you can't find puffed brown rice cereal, regular rice puffed rice cereal will work.

I used cashew butter for its mild flavor, however any nut butter can be used. I found cashew butter for a good price at Trader Joe's.

Use gluten free oats if you have a sensitivity to gluten. However, if you have been diagnosed with Celiac Disease it may be better to omit the oats entirely. You can substitute with more rice cereal or use an alternate gluten free grain/cereal.

Please note the nutrition information will be slightly different if you add the optional toppings/mix-ins.
Nutrition Information
Serving size: 1 bite Calories: 175 Fat: 8.7 g Saturated fat: 1.6 g Carbohydrates: 17.3 g Sugar: 7.4 g Sodium: 128.5 mg Fiber: 1.7 g Protein: 7.7 g Cholesterol: 0 mg
Recipe by ShellyMade at https://shellymade.com/pumpkin-spice-protein-bites/