Encapsulation performance of Maillard reaction products (MRPs) produced by whey proteins and maltodextrin were examined for microencapsulation of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) using spray-drying. CLA was encapsulated using 3 different wall materials containing a single constituent such as whey protein concentrate (WPC), whey protein isolate (WPI), and maltodextrin (MD), and 4 different MRPs. For the development of MRPs, ratios of WPC to MD were 1:2 and 1:3, whereas those of WPI to MD were 1:5 and 1:10. CLA and wall material were mixed and homogenized, and then spraydried. The physical properties of encapsulated CLA powders were characterized by particle size and morphology, $zeta$-potential, flowability, solubility, and dispersibility. The CLA powders coated with WPI-based MRPs have better encapsulation efficiency, water solubility, and smaller particle size than those coated with WPI, WPC, or MD alone. These encapsulated CLA powders have a number of possible utilities as ingredients in a variety of foods.