Friday is the first official day of fall and while it has been much cooler this week I hear summer might try to dig its heels in and make a final stand next week. Ugh. I am longing for fall... cozy sweaters, changing leaves, comfort food casseroles, crisp-see-your-breathe air on an early morning walk, and pumpkin spice everything! Here are 5 ways to pumpkin spice up your breakfast this fall all featuring Premier Protein with its 30 grams of protein per serving, so you'll get a good protein-packed start to the day and have plenty of energy for those walks, raking leaves, or heading off to work or school.
Shelly's Pumpkin Caramel Pecan Protein Waffles
1 (11 oz.) Premier Protein Ready to Drink Caramel Shake, divided use
1 cup Multigrain Pancake Mix
2 Tablespoons Pumpkin Puree (not pie filling)
1 1/2 teaspoons Pumpkin Pie Spice
2 Tablespoons Pecans, chopped
Mix all ingredients together (save back 2 Tablespoons of shake for use in dip recipe below) till thoroughly combined.
Spray waffle maker with a little non-stick spray and spoon the batter into hot waffle maker, being careful not to add too much. Close the lid and cook for 3 to 4 minutes, or until the waffles are cooked and slightly crispy on the edges. Follow your waffle maker's instructions (mine beeps when it's done.)
Serve waffles with a dollop of Caramel Cannoli Dip and a drizzle of sugar-free maple syrup. Leftovers are great reheated in a toaster oven or pan. Breakfast-on-the-go: Spread a couple of waffles with almond butter, peanut butter or sugar-free jam, wrap them in foil, grab a Premier Protein shake, toss it all in your bag and head off to school or work.
Shelly's Caramel Cannoli Dip
1 cup Ricotta Cheese
2 Tablespoons Premier Protein Ready to Drink Caramel Shake
1 Tablespoon Sugar-Free Coffee Syrup (or sweetener of your choice)
a few dashes of Cinnamon
Mix all ingredients together till thoroughly combined. If you are a bariatric surgery post-op this recipe alone is great during the pureed food stage or for later post-ops topped with some Pumpkin Spice Protein Granola (recipe below.)
Shelly's Pumpkin Spice Protein Balls
I have been obsessing over these Pumpkin Spice Protein Balls for a couple of weeks now. These are great to take on a walk or drop in a snack-sized baggie to have when you hit a coffee shop with friends. You'll have something that is way better than the sugar bombs in the bakery case.
Shelly's Caramel Pumpkin Protein Shake
1 (11 oz.) Premier Protein Ready to Drink Caramel Shake
2 Tablespoons Pumpkin Puree, not pie filling
1 Tablespoon Sugar-Free Butterscotch Pudding Mix, dry
dash of Pumpkin Pie Spice
a few Ice Cubes
Blend on high till well combined. I topped it with another dash of Pumpkin Pie Spice.
Shelly's Premier Protein Caramel Pumpkin Pudding Jars
6 - 4 oz. jars (or clear cups)
1 3/4 cups Premier Protein Ready to Drink Caramel Shake, chilled
1 - 1 oz. small package Sugar-Free Vanilla Instant Pudding Mix (dry)
1/4 cup Pumpkin Puree
1/2 teaspoon Pumpkin Pie Spice
Optional Topping: Premier Protein Pumpkin Spice Protein Granola (uses 1/2 a batch)
Pour the chilled shakes, pumpkin, spice and pudding mix into a shaker bottle. Shake for 3 minutes or until thickened slightly and place in the fridge for about 5 minutes to thicken further.
Spoon the protein pudding into each jar.
To serve top with Pumpkin Protein Granola. These Pudding Jars will store in the fridge for several days but they will not last long. Hide yours behind an old jar of pickles or olives in the back of the fridge to be sure you get one because non-ops love them too.
Shelly's Pumpkin Spice Protein Granola
1/4 cup Oatmeal, dry
1/4 cup Premier Protein Vanilla Whey Protein Powder, dry
1/4 cup chopped Nuts (I used a combo of pecans and almonds)
1 Tablespoon Sugar-Free Syrup (or Sweetener of your choice)
1/2 teaspoon Pumpkin Pie Spice
1 Tablespoon Almond Butter
1 Tablespoon Butter
Mix all ingredients together. Squeeze together with your hands till clumps form. You need to use your hands for this one. If your almond butter is on the loose side add a little more protein, if it's on the drier side add a little more syrup until clumps form.
Place on a non-stick sprayed, foil-lined baking sheet. Bake at 350 for 20 minutes. Cool.
The 6 pudding jars use 1/2 of this batch of granola, store the remaining in an airtight container for several days. It's delicious sprinkled on Greek yogurt, cottage cheese or on top of that Caramel Cannoli Dip (recipe above) or put it in a baggie and it makes a great airplane snack.
Make Ahead: These pudding jars are great to make on Sunday. Scoop some cooled granola into snack sized baggies for each pudding jar and be sure to have a plastic spoon ready.
You'll have a quick grab and go protein packed breakfast ready each morning.
This post is sponsored by Premier Protein® #TheDayIsYours For the purposes of this post Premier Protein provided me with products used. Want to learn more about Premier Protein products LIKE their Facebook page, Twitter, and Instagram and tell them The World According to Eggface told you to stop by.