Chocolate Maca Energy Balls
on May 31, 2014, Updated Feb 24, 2025
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These no-bake chocolate maca energy balls with cocoa, coffee, and protein are perfect for a yummy snack or treat made with just 7 ingredients.
About the Recipe
Here’s what to love about these yummy maca balls:
- Vegan and gluten-free.
- Can be made nut-free.
- No-bake recipe.
- Made in a food processor.
- 1/2 tsp maca per serving.
- Freeze well.
- Good pre-workout snack.
You can also use maca powder in these Maca Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Balls and No-Bake Vegan Hemp Seed Maca Balls.
Ingredient Notes
This list covers notes on specific ingredients and any possible substitutions. Please see the recipe card for complete ingredient list with measurements.
- Dates – medjool, sayer or deglect noor all work, as long as they’re soft and moist. If your dates are dry, soak them in hot water for 15 minutes then drain well before using.
- Almond Butter – plain, natural almond butter is perfect but you can also use any other nut or seed butter. You can use sunflower seed butter or tahini for a nut-free option.
- 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.
- 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). If you’re not into maca, it can be replaced with additional protein powder.
How to Make Maca Energy Balls
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.
Step 2. Roll the dough into 18 balls and firm in the freezer for 30 minutes.
Recipe FAQs
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.
Store the balls in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks or freezer for up to 2 months.
Maca is known for mood-enhancing, hormone balancing, and stamina and energy-boosting benefits. These make an easy, tasty way to include a daily serving of maca in your diet.
More Recipes to Try!
Energy Balls
No-Bake Cashew Coconut Balls
Energy Balls
No-Bake Cinnamon Energy Balls
Energy Balls
No-Bake Pecan Pie Balls
Energy Balls
No-Bake Banana Bread Balls
No-Bake Maca Energy Balls
Ingredients
- 2 cups lightly packed, soft and moist pitted dates, 400 g
- 3 tbsp cocoa powder, 21 g
- 3 tbsp chocolate or vanilla vegan protein powder, 21
- 1 tbsp cinnamon, 8 g
- 3 tbsp maca powder, 33 g
- 2 tbsp almond butter, 30 g
- 3 tbsp regular or decaf strong brewed coffee or espresso, 45 mL
Instructions
- Add all of the ingredients to a food processor and blend until it forms a large, sticky ball of dough.
- Use your hands to roll the dough into 18 balls. Place in the freezer for 30 minutes to firm.
Notes
Nutrition
This recipe was originally published on May 31, 2014.
OMG!! I just made these in preparation for a run tomorrow morning. They taste so good! I’ve just found your blog, Deryn and am so happy. I made the lentil Dahl last night which was amazing too. Thanks so much xx
Awww, that is just the best to hear!! You’re so welcome 🙂 hope you had a good run!
These look amazing! I can’t wait to try them for my pre-workout! How long will they keep in the fridge? I like to make double batches to save time.
It does make a pretty large batch to begin with, so maybe try that first? I’m not sure how long they would keep, but at least 5 days in the fridge (mine didn’t last longer than taht). Let me know how they turn out for you!
I make double batches and freeze them.
They look so yummy. I create something similar with Shakeology. My kids really like making them and, of course, eating them!
These are awesome. I made them earlier and they ROCK! Thanks for posting. K
I workout early in the morning too and I am never hungry. These would be the perfect pre-workout for me!
This looks really good! I have been vegetarian for nearly my entire life and decided to eat vegan last December. I love finding recipes that will work for my early morning snack before I go running with the dogs.
Do you think water would work as a substitute for the coffee? Or orange juice? I don’t do caffeine much since I weaned myself off it last year. It can be a migraine trigger for me.
Yum! This year, even eating a grapefruit was too onerous for me in the morning. Something like this seems perfect. I’d love to hear more about your workouts!
These look amazing! Any ideas on what I could use in place of the coffee? I’m fine with caffeine, but can no longer tolerate coffee.
As for your blog, I’d love to hear more about your workouts, diet, etc.
Can’t wait to give these a try! I’ve been on the hunt for a good, all natural and high energy pre-workout option. Thanks for sharing.
I’d love to see more posts about your training regime and different workout routines, your recipes are always delish!!!, and anything about your diet is always awesome! I love learning about other plant-based vegan’s and how they eat. Keep up the great posts! 🙂
These look delicious! And full of awesome ingredients before your workout. Yes… keep ignoring the haters 🙂