5-Minute Vegan Hojicha Energy Balls

August 1, 2025

If you love the toasty aroma of hojicha but don’t always have time for a traditional brew, these hojicha energy balls are your new favourite ritual. They condense the smoky, caramel-like depth of Japanese roasted green tea into a bite-sized powerhouse that’s naturally sweetened, gluten-free and 100 % plant-based. Even better—prep takes less than the length of a song, so you can satisfy snack-time cravings without derailing your day.

Each ball balances complex carbs from oats with heart-healthy fats from almond butter, while chia seeds provide gut-friendly fibre and a gentle omega-3 boost. Our finely milled single-origin hojicha powder tints the mix a latte-brown hue and imparts subtle notes of campfire caramel that coffee-drinkers adore. Toss a couple into your gym bag, pair them with your morning high-protein hojicha smoothie bowl, or crunch one with an afternoon espresso-style hojicha shot for sustained focus minus the jitters.

Ingredients (makes 12 balls)

1 cup (90 g) rolled oats
2 tablespoons hojicha powder
½ cup (120 g) smooth almond butter
¼ cup (60 ml) maple syrup
2 tablespoons chia seeds
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Pinch sea salt
Optional: 2 tablespoons mini dark-chocolate chips

Directions

Whisk dry. In a medium bowl, combine oats and hojicha powder until every flake looks mocha-kissed.
Add wet. Spoon in almond butter, pour the maple syrup, sprinkle chia, vanilla and salt over the top.
Mix. Stir with a spatula—or clean hands—until a cohesive dough forms, about 30 seconds.
Flavor boost (optional). Fold in chocolate chips for bursts of bittersweet crunch.
Roll. Scoop heaping tablespoons and roll between palms to make 12 even balls.
Set. Eat straight away or chill 10 minutes for a firmer, fudgy texture.

Macro Breakdown (per ball)

Calories	Protein	Carbs	Fat	Fibre
90 kcal	3 g	8 g	5 g	2 g

Make-Ahead & Storage Tips

Fridge | 7 days: Stack the hojicha energy balls in an airtight container with parchment between layers to prevent sticking. The roasted-tea aroma intensifies by day two—snack perfection!

Freezer | 3 months: Flash-freeze on a baking sheet, then transfer to a zip bag. Thaw 15 minutes at room temp or nibble half-frozen for a chewy “cookie-dough” vibe.

Meal-prep hack: Double the batch on Sunday night; keep half chilled for the week and freeze the rest for a zero-effort refill mid-month.

Why Hojicha?

Unlike matcha, hojicha is gently roasted after steaming, which lowers caffeine and lends comforting smoky-sweet notes. That means these hojicha energy balls offer calm, sustained energy—perfect for late-night study sessions or an evening Netflix marathon without sacrificing sleep.

Variations

Swap almond butter for sunflower seed butter to make the recipe nut-free, roll finished balls in toasted sesame seeds for extra crunch, or blitz freeze-dried strawberries into a powder and dust over for a berries-and-cream twist.

Back to blog