Maca Chocolate Chip Energy Balls
on Oct 01, 2020, Updated Aug 31, 2024
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These easy, no-bake maca chocolate chip energy balls are made with maca powder for an energizing snack that tastes like cookie dough!
About the Recipe
- Vegan, gluten-free and oil-free (can be sugar-free if sugar-free chocolate chips are used).
- Each ball contains 3/4 tsp of maca powder. If you’re looking for more maca recipes, you can use maca powder in these No-Bake Vegan Hemp Seed Maca Balls and No-Bake Chocolate Maca Energy Balls as well.
- You’ll need just 10 minutes and 4 ingredients plus vanilla and sea salt.
- 100 calories per energy ball.
Cookie dough lover? Don’t miss this edible chocolate chip cookie dough and edible peanut butter cookie dough!
Ingredients
- Cashews: Use plain, raw cashews with no added oil or salt. Cashews are the best nut for cookie dough balls due to their soft texture and mild flavour but you can substitute other nuts like almonds, walnuts or pecans.
- Dates: Any variety works as long as they’re soft and moist. If your dates are overly dry, soak them in hot water for 15 minutes then drain well before using. Most dates should be fine to use without soaking but if you proceed and the dough is too crumbly, you can add 1-2 tsp of water when blending.
- Maca: Can be substituted with vegan vanilla protein powder or powdered peanut butter, or try these Oatmeal Raisin Cookie Dough Bites or No-Bake Chocolate Energy Balls for energy balls without maca.
- Chocolate Chips: Use dairy-free chocolate chips to keep the recipe vegan, I suggest Enjoy Life or Camino or for sugar-free chocolate chips, Lily’s.
This list is not complete. Please see the recipe card at the end of the post for the complete ingredient list with measurements and detailed instructions.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Quick Tip: If your dates are overly dry, soak them in hot water for 15 minutes then drain well before using. Most dates should be fine to use without soaking but if you proceed and the dough is too crumbly, you can add 1-2 tsp of water when blending.
Step 1. Add the cashews to your food processor first. Mix into a coarse, grainy flour. A few larger chunks left behind are ok.
Step 2. Add everything else, except the chocolate chips and process into a thick dough.
It should start to come together into one big clump. The dough should be sticky and you should easily be able to press it together between your fingers. If the dough is too crumbly add 1 tsp of warm water and process again. Usually 1 tsp does the trick but you may need to repeat 1-2 times.
Step 3. Add the chocolate chips and process briefly to mix them in.
Use your hands to roll the dough into balls then enjoy for an energizing snack!
How to Store
- Fridge: In an airtight container for up to 2 weeks.
- Freezer (Recommended): In an airtight container or freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months.
- Room temperature: They’ll start to get soft but they’re okay at room temperature for a couple days if you’re taking them to-go. Keep cool if possible for best results.
More Energy Balls
Did you try this recipe? I’d love to hear about it! Scroll down to comment section below to leave your star rating and review.
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Maca Chocolate Chip Energy Balls
Ingredients
Instructions
- Place the cashews in a high-powered blender or food processor and mix until broken down. A few larger chunks left behind is ok but they should resemble a coarse flour.
- Add the rest of the ingredients, except for the chocolate chips and mix until it forms a thick, sticky dough you can easily press together between your fingers. If it's not coming together, add 1 tsp warm water and process again. That should do the trick but you may need to repeat (this is due to using dry dates, see notes on soaking first).
- Add the chocolate chips and pulse a few times to mix through.
- Use your hands to roll the dough into 16 balls.
Notes
Nutrition
Originally published on July 20, 2016.
Another winner from you! These really helped me use up the bag of maca I had hanging around. Rich enough for a little dessert after dinner. Thank you!
Thanks, Tracy! Glad you enjoyed them.
These are my favorite maca energy balls so far. My husband has another favorite (involving peanut butter). I didn’t have enough chocolate chips when I made these, so I used a tablespoon (or two? can’t remember) of cacao powder to add more chocolate flavor. I ended up having to add additional dates to cut the bitterness, but they were amazing! And we ate them all in one day. x.x Also I used black maca so I used 4 tspn instead of tbspns.
Awesome! So glad you enjoyed them! Thanks for the review.
These were great! I added some coconut flakes and it was incredible! I was wondering if I could add some protein powder– how should I adjust the recipe for that? Thank you for the recipe!
I would add more dates in that case, and maybe a very small amount of water if needed 🙂 I’m glad you enjoyed them. They sound amazing with coconut!
Delicious and healthy … just the way I like my snacks! 🙂
Hello! Just wondering which maca you prefer? I have never tried it and am very open to and wanting to try. Thank you!
I use Vega Maca, I haven’t tried any other brand.