Cacao-Dusted Energy Balls (No-Bake, Vegan, Gluten-Free Snack)

Cacao-Dusted Energy Ball

These little bites are power-packed, stress-free, and taste like dessert with a purpose.

If you’ve made my Chocolate Covered Energy Bars, these energy balls will feel familiar — same spirit, just a different form. They’re made with dates, nuts, seeds, and superfoods… no chocolate drizzle this time, but still big flavor and that satisfying chew. Great to pair with your morning or afternoon coffee.

These no-bake cacao energy balls are a go-to snack for travel days, creative sessions, or anytime you need something grounding, energizing, and naturally sweet.

Why You'll Want These Stocked

Real ingredients — just nuts, seeds, dates, and superfoods.

No refined sugar — just sweet, natural dates being dates.

Cacao dusted finish — gives them a luxe, truffle-like vibe. Quick and easy — one bowl, one food processor, no oven.

Serious snack — pre-rolled, portable, and deeply delicious.

Ingredients:

1 cup Medjool dates, pitted

¼ cup walnuts

¼ cup cashews

1 tbsp chia seeds

1 tsp maca powder

1 tbsp cacao powder (plus more for dusting)

¼ cup natural peanut butter (no added oil or sugar)

½ tsp cinnamon

Pinch of salt

How to Make these No-Bake Energy Balls

Blend it up. In a food processor, pulse the nuts until coarsely chopped. Add in the dates, peanut butter, chia, maca, cacao, cinnamon, and salt. Blend until a sticky dough forms. It should hold together when pinched.

Roll into balls. Scoop out about a tablespoon at a time and roll between your palms into bite-sized balls.

Dust with cacao. Roll each ball lightly in cacao powder for that soft, chocolatey coating.

Chill or eat right away. Pop them in the fridge or freezer to firm up, or snack as-is if you're impatient (no judgment).

Switch It Up

Swap the nuts — almonds, sunflower seeds, or hemp hearts all work.

Skip the cacao dusting — or roll them in shredded coconut, crushed nuts, or sesame seeds instead.

Storage Tips

Store these in the fridge for up to a week or the freezer for longer. They’re best slightly chilled — firm but fudgy.

These cacao-dusted energy balls are the kind of snack you’ll make once and wonder why you didn’t start sooner. They’re grounding, energizing, and straight-up good — perfect for anyone looking for a healthy plant-based snack that actually satisfies.

If you make a batch, tag me or leave a comment — I love seeing your variations!

Until then: stay grounded, stay energized. ✌️