Maca Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Balls

These easy, no-bake vegan chocolate chip cookie dough balls are made with maca for an energizing snack that tastes like cookie dough! 

Features

• dietary needs: vegan, gluten-free and oil-free (can be sugar-free if sugar-free chocolate chips are used)
• nutrition details: each ball contains 3/4 tsp of maca
• quick and easy: you’ll need just 10 minutes and 4 ingredients plus vanilla and sea salt

Cookie dough lover? Don’t miss this edible chocolate chip cookie dough and edible peanut butter cookie dough!

Ingredients Notes

• cashews – use plain, raw cashews with no added oil or salt
• dates – any variety works (I like sayer and medjool best) as long as they’re soft and moist, if not, you’ll need to soak them first
• maca – can be substituted with vegan vanilla protein powder or powdered peanut butter (or try these Oatmeal Raisin Cookie Dough Bites or Chocolate Peanut Butter Energy Bites)
• vanilla – use pure vanilla extract if possible, if not, artificial will be fine
• sea salt – adds a cookie dough flavour, use a good quality sea salt like Maldon, grey or pink
• 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
• baking soda – totally optional but I find a little pinch of baking soda lends to the cookie dough flavour!

Complete list of ingredients and amounts is located in the recipe card below.

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Method

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.

Quick Tip: 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!

Notes and Tips

• Dates: Be sure to use soft, moist dates. If your dates are overly dry, soak them in hot water (pit first) for 15 minutes then drain well before using in the recipe.
• Cashews: Cashews are the best nut for cookie dough balls due to their soft texture and mild flavour. I don’t recommend substituting them but if you must, you can use almonds or walnuts, or a mixture of those 3.
• Maca: This recipe works best with the fine texture of powdered maca but the best option for substituting is powdered peanut butter or vanilla flavoured pea protein.

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.

Related Recipes

• Maca Mocha Energy Bites
• Raw Hemp Seed Maca Balls
• Lime & Coconut Energy Bites 
• No-Bake Java Chip Bites
• Peanut Chocolate Chip Energy Balls

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Originally published on July 20, 2016. Updated with new photos and text on October 1, 2020.