Low Fat Peanut Butter Pumpkin Protein Cookies

Think of Lara Bars, only lower calorie but still healthy, wholesome ingredients. That’s basically the gist of these scrumptious Peanut Butter Pumpkin Cookie Globes/Balls/Spheres/whatever you want to call them.

Don’t get me wrong, I fully appreciate a packaged product like Lara Bars for using real ingredients you can find in most kitchens, but sometimes I want something I can eat more of without feeling weighed down.

Come on, I know everyone likes to have tasty peanut butter (or other nut butter) treat and feel good knowing it’s perfectly fine to have a few extra. With the help of peanut flour, stevia, and natural protein powder, creating these treats is easy.

Here’s what you need to make these protein-packed spheres (I just don’t like calling them balls):

Low Fat No-Bake Peanut Butter Pumpkin Protein Cookies

1/2 cup rolled oats – or use a cereal like the Original Uncle Sam or a crispy rice cereal for extra crunch
2 scoops (1/4 cup) protein powder – I used natural vanilla egg white protein sweetened with stevia
1/4 cup light roast 12% fat peanut flour
2 tbsp all natural p eanut butter
4 pitted dates
2 tbsp pumpkin puree
1 to 1.5 ounces dry-roasted peanuts – this is only a handful, but more could be used
1/8th tsp salt – use more or less to taste; make sure to consider added salt in the peanut butter and peanuts
1/4 tsp pure vanilla extract
2 packets NuNaturals stevia
2 tbsp Zevia CrÃ?¨me Soda – or use more stevia
Blend all ingredients in food processor until well combined, roll into balls and leave as is or press down with a floured fork to make into mini c ookies . Add a combination of oats, protein powder, and peanut flour by the tablespoon if the dough is too sticky. Once dough pulls away from the sides of your processor, it should be ready to “roll”. The Zevia can require extra dry ingredients to be added, but it’s soooo worth it.

You can also press the dough into a pan for homemade bars and store at home or wrap in plastic for the road or to keep at work. These will keep in the fridge for a little more than a week (like they’ll last that long) or freeze them for up to a month.

The ingredients can be substituted for other items as you like; if you create something else, please share! A few options would be to add shredded coconut and macadamia nuts for a Hawaiian treat or try pistachios in place of peanuts for a nice change. I think using pumpkin pie spices would be good too; so many variations that I can’t wait to try!

Need a good gift idea? These are your solution! Anyone who wouldn’t appreciate these delightful treats must be crazyâÂ?¦.or allergicâÂ?¦but you get the point. It just so happens I have a little brother turning 20 tomorrow, and I have 20 of these Peanut Butter Pumpkin Protein Globes waiting in the freezer now.