Pumpkin Pecan Protein Cookies

I find so many of us trying to eat well stress out about snacks. Especially during that late afternoon, not-quite-dinner ravenous craving period.

Am I going to survive if I wait until 6pm to eat?! I’m going to eat my arm off… god help me… I might die….

Oh, haha .. just me? Well whatever, that’s how I feel sometimes and I hate feeling that way. My number one tip is always to prep veggies ahead of time… reach for them first! But that said - sometimes veggies alone won’t cut it.

Que the cookies! I love these super simple and wholesome pumpkin cookies. They are gluten free and vegan (in case that’s important to you) and loaded with wholesome ingredients. You don’t necessarily have to add the protein but I like that my cookies pack a little muscle (get it!?). And if you like eating refined sugar-free, swap the brown sugar for coconut sugar.

Pro-tip… consider these a snacking or breakfast cookie. In other words, don’t go making them for Christmas cookie exchange and expect everyone won’t know they are healthy. Still - my Brock loves them and loves making them with me which fills my heart with joy. My husband DJ and my 15 year-old stepson Colton don’t necessarily rave about them, but they will eat them. So all around a win!

2 cups large flake oats

½ cup oat flour (I get mine at Bulk Barn but you can also just blend down some oats for this)

¼ cup brown sugar

1 scoop of protein (I used Creme Brulee flavour but vanilla works too)

1 tsp cinnamon

¼ tsp nutmeg

¼ tsp ground ginger

¼ tsp cloves

⅔ cup pure pumpkin puree

⅓ cup unsweetened applesauce

1 tsp of vanilla

3 tbsp chopped pecans

⅓ cup chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350ºF

Using one bowl whisk together oats, oat flour, sugar, protein and spices. Add pumpkin, applesauce and vanilla and stir. Gently stir in pecans and chocolate chips. Using a cookie scoop divide evenly on a baking sheet. Bake for 8-10 minutes. Let cool on a cooling rack.

Makes 15 cookies

Nutritional Information

Based on 1 cookie

Calories 120

Fat 3.5g

Carbohydrates 18.6g

Protein 4.2g

*Nutritional information is based off a web-based nutrition application and results may vary depending on the brands and products used

Notes: If you have room for a little more mid-day fat in your macros add in a ¼ cup of nut butter.. yum!