These no-bake vegan hemp seed maca balls call for just 4 ingredients and are easy to make in minutes in a food processor. Each ball contains 1 tsp of maca powder for an easy way to include it in your diet.

A stack of raw energy balls on a plate.

Recipe Features

  • allergen and dietary restriction-friendly – this recipe is dairy-free, gluten-free, oil-free, nut-free and has no added sugar
  • quick and easy – you’ll need just 10 minutes and 4 ingredients
  • healthier snacking – these sweet treats make a wonderful healthy snack and also work for dessert
  • easy to way use maca – each ball contains 1 tsp of maca powder, known for its hormone-balancing and energizing benefits

Ingredient Notes

Hemp seeds, dates, cinnamon and maca in containers.
  • hemp seeds – look for raw hemp seeds, sometimes labeled hemp hearts
  • dates – soft, moist dates are essential but any variety works
  • maca – you’ll need 3 tbsp of gelatinized maca power
  • cinnamon – regular cinnamon is perfect but ceylon cinnamon adds an extra boost of nutrition

How to Make this Recipe

Start by tossing everything in your food processor.

Dates, hemp seeds, maca and cinnamon in a food processor.

Process the ingredients into a dough. It shouldn’t take long, just mix until you can press the dough between your fingers.

Raw energy ball dough in a food prcessor.

Once you’ve blended it up, roll into balls, coat in cinnamon sugar, coconut or cocoa and enjoy!

Raw energy balls on a plate.

Tips and FAQs

  • You need soft, moist dates in this recipe. If your dates are dry, soak them in hot water for 15 minutes then drain well before using in the recipe.
  • If you don’t soak the dates and the dough isn’t sticking together, add 1 tsp water, blend again and repeat as needed until it does. 1 tsp of water should do the trick though.
  • Hemp seeds can be substituted with with 1 cup of almonds, pecans, walnuts, cashews or sunflower seeds.

What does maca taste like?

Maca is slightly bitter, earthy and nutty with caramel undertones. It works nicely with the dates and cinnamon!

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 3 months.

An energy ball on a plate with a bite taken out of it.

More Energy Ball Recipes

Here are some more yummy energy ball recipes to try:

If you’re looking for more ways to use maca, you can try it in this maca smoothie, these chocolate chip cookie dough balls or maca mocha energy bites.

Did you make this recipe? Click here to leave a review!

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A stack of raw energy balls on a plate.

No-Bake Hemp Seed Maca Balls

  • Author: Deryn Macey
  • Prep Time: 10 mins
  • Total Time: 10 mins
  • Yield: 12 1x
  • Category: Snack
  • Method: Food Processor
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Vegan

This healthy snack option is packed with nutrients and ready to super-power your day! You only need a few ingredients to make them, they travel well and are awesome as a pre-workout snack.

★★★★★

5 from 3 reviews
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Ingredients

  • 1 cup tightly packed, soft pitted medjool dates (220 g)
  • 1 cup hemp seeds (150 g)
  • 3 tbsp maca powder
  • 2 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp sea salt (optional)
  • shredded coconut, cinnamon and coconut sugar or cocoa powder, for coating, optional

Instructions

  1. Mix all ingredients in a food processor until it forms a dough you can press between your fingers.
  2. Use your hands to roll the dough into 12 balls.
  3. Roll the balls in a cinnamon and coconut sugar, coconut or cocoa powder, if desired.
  4. Store the balls in the fridge for up to 2 weeks or freezer for up to 3 months.

Notes

The balls contain 1 tsp of maca each.

You need soft, moist dates in this recipe. If your dates are dry, soak them in hot water for 15 minutes then drain well before using in the recipe.

If you don’t soak the dates and the dough isn’t sticking together, add 1 tsp water, blend again and repeat as needed until it does. 1 tsp of water should do the trick though.

Hemp seeds can be substituted with 1 cup or 150 g of almonds, pecans, walnuts, cashews or sunflower seeds. Mix and match as desired.

Keywords: maca energy bites, maca balls, how to use maca

UPDATE NOTE: This recipe was originally published on March 9, 2015. It was updated with new photos and text on April 30, 2020.