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–+ servings
healthy chocolate quinoa crunch bars, stacked.
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5 from 1 vote

Chocolate Quinoa Crunch Bars  

These chocolate quinoa crunch bars are delicious, easy to make and so satisfying! This chocolate and quinoa recipe is perfect for a healthier chocolate snack with a boost of protein!  
Prep Time20 minutes
Freeze time30 minutes
Total Time50 minutes
Course: Dessert, Healthy desserts, high protein desserts, protein snack, sweet snack
Cuisine: All cuisines, American, British
Diet: Gluten Free, Vegetarian
Servings: 4 bars (4-8 bars or 16 squares depending on desired size)
Calories: 210kcal
Author: Sonia

Ingredients

Quinoa:

  • ½ cup quinoa (rinsed, drained and then soaked in 2 cups water)

Homemade Chocolate:

  • 40 g coconut oil
  • 20 g cacao powder
  • 28 g milk powder
  • 34 g maple syrup (gently warmed in the microwave for 20 seconds)

Quicker version:

  • ¾ cup store-bought puffed quinoa
  • 115 g melted sugar-free chocolate

Instructions

Popping Quinoa (skip if using store-bought puffed quinoa):

  • Rinse ½ cup quinoa in a fine-mesh sieve under cold water.
  • Soak in 2 cups of water to keep moistened while toasting.
  • Heat a pan over medium-high heat and toast small batches of the quinoa, stirring constantly until it pops, turns golden and emits a nutty aroma. Transfer onto a plate and set aside.

Making Chocolate Quinoa Crunch Bars:

  • Make homemade chocolate by melting coconut oil, then sifting in cacao powder and milk powder. Once mixed add in the warmed maple syrup and mix again. Alternatively, melt store-bought chocolate in a bowl.
  • Stir in the popped/puffed quinoa, ensuring evenly coated.
  • Spread the mixture onto a lined tray and freeze for at least 30 minutes until firm.
  • Cut into bars or squares, let sit at room temperature for 5-15 minutes, and enjoy!

Notes

    1. Rinse the quinoa: If popping your quinoa, make sure to rinse the quinoa thoroughly. This helps remove saponins (a natural coating) which can give a bitter taste to quinoa. 
    2. Pop quinoa in single layers: when popping the quinoa, add in single layers into the pan to help evenly toast the quinoa. 
    3. Spread evenly: Ensure an even layer when spreading the chocolate mixture on the tray to make cutting the bars easier and more uniform.
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Nutrition

Calories: 210kcal | Carbohydrates: 20g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 7mg | Sodium: 52mg | Potassium: 289mg | Fiber: 3g | Vitamin A: 68IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 80mg | Folate: 43µg | Iron: 2mg | Zinc: 1mg