Chocolate Quinoa Bars – The Almond Eater

April 10, 2023

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Quinoa bars are the easiest way to sneak a bit of diet right into a dessert recipe! Made with cooked quinoa, rolled oats, cocoa powder, and with out refined sugar, these bars are a wholesome but decadent deal with.

a stack of 4 chocolate bars on a table with a bite taken out of the top one

Quinoa bars are simply the candy deal with you want!

They’re on the more healthy aspect — sweetened with dates and maple syrup as an alternative of cane sugar — however are nonetheless fairly decadent. They’ve a chewy texture and are topped with a chocolate layer, which is what takes them from snack to dessert (in my view).

I really like a more healthy dessert recipe, like my chocolate pretzel bars or my flourless pumpkin bars. Should you’re a fan of those quinoa bars, you’ll want to take a look at my different dessert recipes as properly.

Recipe options

A scrumptious chocolate bar that is each vegan and gluten free
Made with cooked quinoa for a bit of added diet, making it the right snack or dessert
Simple to customise to your liking!

chocolate bars on a table topped with sea salt

Elements

Quinoa – I used white quinoa, which has probably the most gentle taste of all of the varieties. Ensure that to rinse it earlier than cooking it (see ideas and methods part under for why that is vital)
Dates – I used deglet, however medjool are advantageous too, simply be certain they’re pitted
Rolled oats – Also called quaint oats. Fast oats work as properly, however I do not advocate utilizing metal lower oats, as the feel is not fairly what we wish.
Almonds – I like utilizing almonds as a result of they’re pretty impartial tasting, which is an effective factor. One other good possibility is cashews when you’re on the lookout for a substitution.
Coconut – Shredded unsweetened coconut is the best way to go, as these bars are loads candy on their very own.
Cocoa powder – No substitution!
Maple syrup – I discover that maple syrup pairs properly with chocolate (higher than honey) however you can use honey when you’re in a pinch.
Coconut oil – I choose utilizing coconut oil in most of my baked items as a result of it is a bit of sweeter, and on this case, it provides the slightest coconut-y taste. If you need a substitution, go for avocado oil, which is fairly impartial tasting.
Chocolate chips – Semi-sweet or darkish chocolate

Directions

Step 1: Cook dinner the quinoa. Begin by pouring the quinoa in a advantageous mesh strainer, then rinsing it for at the very least 1 minute. Then, switch it to a saucepan and prepare dinner it based on the bundle directions. Pour the cooked quinoa into a big bowl and set it apart to chill.

Step 2: Combine components. Whereas the quinoa is cooling, add the dates, oats, almonds, coconut, and cocoa powder to a meals processor and pulse for 30 seconds. With the motor working, pour the maple syrup and coconut oil in via the highest and proceed mixing till the combination kinds an enormous ball. Switch the combination into the bowl with the quinoa and stir to mix.

2 images: chocolate mixture in a food processor on the left and in a mixing bowl with quinoa on the right

Step 3: Refrigerate. Line an 8×8 baking dish with parchment paper and spray the edges with nonstick spray, then switch the quinoa combination to the ready pan and use a rubber spatula or your fingers to press it down into the pan. Refrigerate the bars for at the very least half-hour.

Step 4: Add the chocolate. Place the chocolate chips and coconut oil right into a microwave-safe bowl and microwave in 30 second increments till the chocolate is clean. Pour the chocolate over the bars, utilizing the again of a spoon to unfold it out.

Place the bars again into the fridge for half-hour. Pull on the parchment paper to take away the bars, then slice and revel in!

2 images: chocolate quinoa mixture in a square baking pan on the left and topped with melted chocolate on the right

Ideas and FAQs

Make forward: Need to prep this recipe prematurely? Cook dinner the quinoa forward of time and retailer it in a sealed container within the fridge for as much as 3 days prematurely.

At all times rinse quinoa! Quinoa has a protecting coat over it which is fairly disagreeable tasting. Rinsing quinoa removes any bitterness from the quinoa and makes it far more scrumptious.

To make sure these bars are gluten free, ensure you’re utilizing licensed gluten free oats.

I sliced these into 9 giant bars, however you could possibly additionally make smaller cuts so you find yourself with 16 smaller bars when you choose.

Add-ins:

Two tablespoons of peanut butter or a peanut butter drizzle on high
Peanuts as an alternative of almonds
Dried cranberries
Pumpkin seeds
Chia seeds
Sunflower seed butter
Scoop of chocolate protein powder

Can I bake these bars?

Nope! These bars are supposed to be no bake. I might place them within the fridge and permit them to set that approach moderately than baking them.

Storage

Fridge: Retailer bars in an hermetic container within the fridge for as much as 7 days.

Freezer: Alternatively, you possibly can retailer the bars in a freezer-safe container for as much as 4 months. Simply be certain to place parchment paper in between the bars so they do not stick collectively.

chocolate bar with a bite taken out of it

Extra wholesome desserts

Should you made this recipe, you’ll want to go away a remark and star ranking under. Thanks!