These Bourbon Pumpkin Protein Balls have all the warm spices you love in a pumpkin pie, but keep it more-or-less clean to satisfy your pumpkin-loving  sweet tooth in a healthier way.
As soon as I saw Lindsay’s Bourbon Banana Bread Bites, I knew I needed to make these as bourbon balls. Â I had to do a protein version… because it’s me.
I’m a big fan of boozing up my sweets. Â Whiskey Bacon Brownies, Bourbon Chocolate Chip Cookies, Gran Marnier Cranberry Cookies… and now Bourbon Pumpkin Protein Balls. Â Why not refuel and take the edge off at the same time?
Bourbon.  It’s not just for drinking.  Though I recommend drinking it too.
You can make a batch of these in under 10 minutes and store them in your freezer to enjoy after a workout or – if you’re like me – to quench an insatiable sweet tooth.
I used Farmer Direct Co-op Oats, Equal Exchange chocolate chips, and Growing Naturals Rice Protein. Â These are some of my favorite products because they are all organic, non-GMO products. Â Farmer Direct and Equal Exchange are also fair trade cooperatives. Â Yeah, yeah… sometimes I get a little hippie. Â I blame California.
These balls feel like a treat, but this vegan recipe offers a healthy dose of protein and fiber that you can feel good about!  And who doesn’t want to feel good about their balls?  😉
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Bourbon Pumpkin Protein Balls
- 1 (31g) scoop vanilla protein (I used Growing Natural Vanilla Rice Protein)
- 1/4 C quick rolled oats
- 1/4 C pumpkin puree
- 2 T pepitas (pumpkin seeds)
- 2 T maple syrup
- 2 T bourbon
- 2 T semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 2 T coconut flour
- 1Â tsp pie spice
- 1/2 tsp vanilla
Add everything except the coconut flour to a mixing bowl and stir to combine (or use your hands… just make sure to wash first!).  If mixture it too runny, add a bit of coconut flour.
Roll dough into balls, then lightly roll each in the coconut flour to coat.  Place on a parchment-lined cookie sheet.
Freeze for at least 20Â minutes to set. Â Store uneaten balls in an airtight container in the freezer.
Makes 10 balls.
***
I’m using these to toast my amazing mamma. Â Yesterday was her birthday! Â Happy Birthday Mom!
Have you ever made protein or energy balls?
What’s your favorite boozy recipe?
These are great! I don’t drink, but if I did these would be on the list of things to make! 😉 Great ingredients too, love the pumpkin seed add-in!
Thanks! You could use an extract too… bourbon vanilla would be great!
Oh I’m so making these for Halloween night…for the adults of course! Trick or treating is serious business in my hood and you have to pack food and drinks to go!
Let me know what you think!!! I’m totally crashing your place next year for that party.
HELL YES> Favorite boozy recipe is my Bourbon Pecan Pie OR my wine hummus.
Do you add chocolate chips to the pie too… as in Kentucky Derby Pie? That’s been a Thanksgiving staple in my house since… maybe 20 years now?! Mamma likes bourbon too. 😉
that’s it. We need a bourbon ball party… STAT!
What time shall I expect you? I’m making more mummies too!
I used Bourbon in some baked beans this summer and it really gives a great pop of flavor
Good call!! I just so happen to be making beans tonight…
California has made me a total hippie. I don’t notice until I travel outside the state and people look at me weird when I ask if this is a farm to table establishment. Lol WhooHoo protein balls, I’ve seen these bad boys everywhere, but I have yet to tried them. They freak me out, and I only wanted to try a recipe from a trusted source. I trust you and your taste buds. If Vegas likes them, they must be good. So… Does she like them?
I didn’t even think of farm to table being hippie… I guess growing up in the South was good for that. Everything local is farm to table!
Make the balls. Vegas gave it two thumbs up. I mean… how can you go wrong with bourbon? 😉
You would put booze in balls.
You’re welcome. 😉
Serving size is all 10 balls right? Or is that just me?
HA! True story, actually…
This sounds great! Need to try! I may try pecan instead of Pepitas – either one would be great, I am sure.
Thanks! Pecans would be fabulous too. They’re actually my favorite!
Uhhmm loving the combination of bourbon & pumpkin in these protein balls. Also loving that bourbon is healthy! 😉
Thanks! Everything in moderation… I can’t wait to try your whoopie pies!
Making these for my husband. He loves bourban and Makers Mark is his brand!
Thank Mona! I’d love to hear what he thinks!
These sound good! I’m not a bourbon drinker but I could just leave that out 🙂
I think it would be good without it – there is also bourbon extract or even just bourbon vanilla extract!
I’m all for balls, the booze just makes it better.
I SECOND THAT.
I have so many comments… it might be wiser to just text them to you both though. LOL!
Let us be real – you had me at Bourbon.
YAY for hippie health food! Can you make these next week for our Election Day soiree?! Let’s chat this week lady! 🙂
Sooooo… I have bad news. We may need to have a post-election soiree. I have to work now. UGH. But that’s actually another fun story…
So… This might be weird, but alcohol really doesn’t like my tastebuds, but I could maybe put a bit in balls like this, and it would be good? 🙂 I just don’t like the alcohol taste. 😀 But this combo sounds really really good!
LOL! Well, it does sound weird to me but that’s probably much healthier for you. 😉 I think you should try a bourbon vanilla extract. It would just give a hint of the flavor. Let me know how it goes if you do try it!!!
I couldn’t bring myself to use the really good bourbon we have, so I subbed in some whiskey I have infused with apples and cinnamon. Also used cacao nibs in place of the chocolate chips. These are so good, I’m going to have to make a huge batch using a whole can of pumpkin puree!!
That whiskey sounds amazing! Thanks for trying these out and letting me know. I’m so glad you liked them!