Pack these delicious bars for your mid-morning snack or before your next workout.
When you’re craving a less-than-healthy snack, look to these Quinoa Protein Bars instead. They’re a great way to satisfy your cravings while still maintaining a healthy diet. This delectable snack combines quinoa and dark chocolate, as well as other superfoods, to create a tasty treat. It’s a perfect snack for before or after a workout, and it definitely satisfies when that afternoon sweet tooth craving hits.
If you’re on a gluten-free diet, you’ll especially love these Quinoa Protein Bars. Having quick and easy access to a healthy treat that also happens to be gluten-free is like hitting the jackpot! Unlike store-bought gluten-free snacks that are packed full of refined sugar, all the sugars in this tasty treat are naturally occurring from the dates and raw honey.
Superfood Quinoa
Quinoa is one of the most versatile superfoods you can eat. Superfoods are natural, unprocessed foods that are low in calories and high in nutrients. They help the body fight disease and provide it with what it needs to be in excellent health.
As compared to other grains, quinoa contains higher-than-average levels of nutrients. It’s an excellent source of fiber, and it also happens to be a complete protein. That means it contains all the essential amino acids your body needs (just like meat), so it’s a great plant-based way to get your protein. It’s also full of antioxidants and minerals, like manganese, folate, iron, and zinc.
Luckily, quinoa is super easy to cook, too (and we have a few secrets for making the perfect light and fluffy quinoa). Once you let it cool, you can easily throw together the remaining ingredients and whip up a batch of these tasty, nutritious Quinoa Protein Bites. You can store them for several days, so enjoy these as a grab-and-go snack all week long!
Have Some Fun with this Recipe!
To create a little variety in your quinoa protein bars or to accommodate any food allergies, sunflower butter and pumpkin seeds are great alternatives to peanut and almond butters. You can make your own alternative nut butter, or check out these seven healthy nut butter brands if you want a store-bought option. As far as other modifications go, feel free to add the chocolate chips directly to the mixture instead of melting them and drizzling on top. Or, omit the chocolate altogether if you’re trying to watch your sugar intake.
Speaking of sugar, you’ll love the way the dates keep the bars moist without providing a distinct flavor. They’re also a healthy, naturally occurring sugar source. They’ll give you a burst of energy without creating a crash later because they’re considered low on the glycemic index.
TIP: Make this recipe into 20 Quinoa Protein Bites, and you’ve got a snack that’s under 100 calories! For more low-calorie snacks, check out these 100-calorie gluten-free snacks, or curb your cravings with one of these foods.
Quinoa Protein Bars Recipe
Quinoa Protein Bars
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup quinoa pre-rinsed
- 2/3 cup water
- 16 whole dates pitted, no sugar added
- 1/2 cup almonds raw, with skin
- 1/3 cup peanut butter natural, crunchy (almond butter is an option)
- 1/4 cup chocolate chips
- 1 tablespoon honey optional
Instructions
- Add quinoa and water to a small sauce pot, cover it, and bring it to a boil. Reduce the heat to a simmer and cook for approximately 15 minutes or until all water has been absorbed. Cool to room temperature and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight.
- Using a food processor or high-powered blender, add dates and pulse until they form a ball. Remove dates and place in a medium mixing bowl. Add almonds to the food processor and pulse until finely minced. Be careful not to process the almonds too long or they will turn to almond flour.
- Add the dates, almonds, peanut butter, and chilled quinoa to the food processor and pulse until the ingredients are well combined. Return the ingredients to the mixing bowl, shape into six 2-inch x 1-inch bars, about 1-inch thick.
- In a small saucepan, add chocolate chips and honey and melt the mixture over low heat or in a double boiler. Evenly spread a thin layer of chocolate over the top of each protein bar, return to the refrigerator, and allow the chocolate to harden. Bars can be stored in an airtight container for several days.
- Optional: omit the honey and add chocolate chips to the food processor when adding the quinoa.
Nutrition Information
Have you made this recipe?
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These quinoa protein bars are easy, healthy, and delicious. They’re unbelievably convenient for when you’re on the go, and they can be stored for several days.
Have you made this recipe for quinoa protein bars? Let us know what you think in the comments!
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These look fabulous, but I am on a low carb diet. Do you have any great low carb protein bar recipes you could share. By the way, I LOVE your page !
Beth, Not at the moment..we'll work on it! 🙂
We have a treenut allergy in our house – can you think of something to substitute for the almonds?
Jennifer, Peanuts are not considered tree nuts…they are actually a legume. To my understanding all other nuts are tree nuts.
We have a severe nut allergy in our house, too. SunButter is totally safe for us, it tastes very close to peanut butter, and can be used as a direct substitute to peanut butter in recipes.
Texmib, WOW…thank-you so much for this info! We'll post on facebook for those weren't aware! We just love our readers…you give us so much good info! Thanks!!!
Really looks great. I’ve been looking for for quinoa recipes. No food processor though.
Is there any other fruit I could use besides dates? I'm sure I wouldn't taste them, but just knowing they are there, I just don't think I could do it.
Guest112, Raisins will work…although will take a little long to pulse into a big ball. I'd recommend 1 cup raisins to start and see if you need more…think that should do it!
guest112 i use prunes in place.. less carbs & sugars
These sound good but I was wondering if there was a way to cut the carbs as well. Maybe skip the honey with the chocolate and use less chocolate. Even a half serving is double my snack allotment. I am really trying to find lower carb, higher protein options that aren't meat but it's a struggle. I may play around with this to experiment. Thanks for posting.
Neelixntes, I recommend leaving off the chocolate altogether…it's yummy without too. That should bring your carbs way down.
Carbs are a must for a POST workout meal. Complex low GI carbs with protein is needed to help your muscles recover 🙂
Absolutely but when restricted to 175g per day (dietician recommended) they get used up fast with freggies and beans. 🙂
Neelixntes, Exactly!
I made these according to the directions and ended up with 14 – 2" x 1" bars, at 1" thickness.
I'm guessing that's a good thing?
i havent tried this recipe yet, but i plan to soon. i reblogged this on my tumblr and cited you as the source.
http://mostgenericwhitegirl.tumblr.com/
Thanks. Much appreciated. Enjoy the bars
Jenny, Great…thanks for the cite! 🙂
Gotta try this soon! Sounds like they'll be great for traveling.
These are the best ever!!! I actually get about 8 bars. The 3rd time I made them, I used mostly dates but had dried peach and some prunes.Â
These are the best ever!!! I actually get about 8 bars. The 3rd time I made them, I used mostly dates but had dried peach and some prunes.Â
Sounds delicious! I'm going to make these soon!
Melissa, Thanks! They really are yummy!
The quinoa is not cooked?
Dalaena, Yes, it is cooked first. It's in the recipe.
I am allergic to raw nuts (almonds) can you think of a substitute? Would raw peanuts work?
Betsey, Definitely…raw peanuts are yummy!
looks wonderful
Thanks!
Refrigerate until chocolate is melted??? 🙂
Denise, Thanks…just corrected! 🙂
Look awesome but one is 11 points on Weight Watchers any way to cut points?
Lisa, Cut each bar in half.