These sweet little no-bake maca energy balls with cocoa, coffee, and protein are perfect for a naturally energizing treat.

A stack of chocolate energy balls on a plate.

Recipe Features

  • vegan and gluten-free – perfect if you have dietary restrictions, they can also be made nut-free
  • easy way to incorporate maca – each ball containers over 1/2 tsp of maca powder
  • natural energy – if you use regular coffee, between the caffeine, dates and maca, these balls make a great pre-workout snack

What You’ll Need

  • dates – medjool, sayer or deglect noor all work, as long as they’re soft and moist
  • almond butter – plain, natural almond butter is perfect but you can also use any other nut or seed butter
  • coffee – used strongly brewed coffee or espresso for the best flavor, I used decaf but feel free to go caffeinated if you want!
  • protein powder – use any vanilla or chocolate plant-based protein powder, mocha or coffee-flavoured protein would be good too and you could also use it in this mocha protein oats recipe
  • cocoa powder – regular cocoa powder is great but if you have raw cacao on hand use that for extra nutrition
  • maca – look for gelatinized maca powder, it is readily available online or in health food stores (regular grocery stores with a health food section often carry as well)
An overhead image of raw chocolate energy balls coated in cocoa powder on a plate.

How to Make this Recipe

Step 1. Add everything to a food processor and blend into a thick, sticky dough. It should roll into one big ball after about 20-30 seconds.

Dates, maca powder, cocoa powder and almond butter in a food processor.
Raw chocolate energy ball dough in a food processor.

Step 2. Roll the dough into 18 balls and firm in the freezer for 30 minutes.

A plate of raw chocolate energy balls sprinkled with chocolate.

Tips and FAQs

  • If you’re not into maca, it can be replaced with additional protein powder.
  • To make these nut-free, use sunflower seed butter, tahini or Wowbutter instead of almond butter.
  • It’s important to use soft, moist dates. If your dates are dry, soak them in hot water for 15 minutes then drain well before using.

What kind of protein powder should I use?

Any plant-based protein powder works but I do recommend using chocolate or vanilla flavored. I like Vega, NuZest, Bob’s Red Mill, Iron Vegan and North Coast Naturals. I used North Coast Naturals Vege Pro-7 in this recipe.

How should I store these?

Store the balls in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks or freezer for up to 2 months.

Why use maca?

Maca is known for mood-enhancing, hormone balancing, and stamina and energy-boosting benefits.

A raw chocolate energy ball with a bite taken out of it.

Did you try this recipe? I’d love to hear about it! Scroll down to the comment section to leave a star rating and review.
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A stack of chocolate energy balls on a plate.

No-Bake Maca Energy Balls

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 5 from 4 reviews
  • Author: Deryn Macey
  • Prep Time: 10 mins
  • Total Time: 10 minutes
  • Yield: 16 balls
  • Category: Snack
  • Method: Food Processor
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Vegan
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Description

Easy to make and ready in minutes these pre-workout maca mocha energy bites taste like mocha brownies and contain awesome energy and performance-boosting ingredients like maca and coffee!


Ingredients

  • 2 cups lightly packed (400 g), soft and moist pitted dates
  • 3 tbsp (21 g) cocoa powder
  • 3 tbsp (21) chocolate or vanilla vegan protein powder
  • 1 tbsp (8 g) cinnamon
  • 3 tbsp (33 g) maca powder
  • 2 tbsp (30 g) almond butter
  • 3 tbsp (45 mL) regular or decaf strong brewed coffee or espresso

Instructions

  1. Add all of the ingredients to a food processor and blend until it forms a large, sticky ball of dough.
  2. Use your hands to roll the dough into 18 balls. Place in the freezer for 30 minutes to firm.
  3. Store the balls in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks or freezer for up to 2 months.

Notes

It’s important to use soft, moist dates. If your dates are dry, soak them in hot water for 15 minutes then drain well before using.

Almond butter may be substituted with any other nut or seed butter. Use tahini, sunflower seed butter or Wowbutter to make them nut-free.

Maca may be substituted with additional protein powder.

Swap regular cocoa powder for raw cacao powder to add even more nutritients.


Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 ball
  • Calories: 89
  • Sugar: 15 g
  • Fat: 1.3 g
  • Carbohydrates: 19 g
  • Fiber: 2.2 g
  • Protein: 2.3 g

UPDATE NOTE: This recipe was originally published on May 31, 2014. It was updated with new photos and text on May 13, 2020.