These no-bake vegan hemp seed maca balls call for just 4 ingredients and are easy to make in minutes in a food processor.

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.

A complete list of ingredients with amounts and full instructions is located in the printable recipe card below. This section covers ingredient and substitution considerations.

  • Hemp Seeds: Look for raw hemp seeds or hemp hearts. This recipe can also be made with sunflower seeds, almonds, cashews, pecans or walnuts.
  • Dates: It’s important to use soft, moist dates. You can use any variety. If your dates are overly dry, you can soak them in hot water for 15 minutes and drain well before use.
  • Maca: You’ll 3 tbsp gelatinized maca powder. This is readily available online or in health food stores.
  • Cinnamon: Cinnamon is perfect with the maca and dates but you can switch it up with a little ginger, nutmeg or pumpkin pie spice.

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 & 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!

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

Storing

Store the balls in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks or freezer for up to 3 months.

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.

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A stack of raw energy balls on a plate.

No-Bake Hemp Seed Maca Balls

★★★★★ 5 from 3 reviews
  • Author: Deryn Macey
  • Prep Time: 10 mins
  • Total Time: 10 minutes
  • Yield: 12 1x
  • Category: Snack
  • Method: Food Processor
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Vegan
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Description

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.

Ingredients

Scale

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

Did you make this recipe?

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