I created these puffed quinoa bars with chocolate to be intentionally chewy with a crunch - I think that's what makes them so delicious.
To increase the protein, I purposely added hemp hearts and almond butter, making them extra nutrient-dense. The pistachios in these quinoa bars, though - that makes this recipe shine (like all recipes with pistachios do!)
This recipe idea came after a trip on an airplane, when I had a dark chocolate quinoa crisp. The ingredients were just quinoa and chocolate. I wanted to see if I could create my own.
For the first attempt, the puffed quinoa came out quite chewy - not what I was hoping for. However, I gave my parents a test, and they both loved it. With them choosing to eat more gluten-free snacks, I think it was a hit.
I wasn't totally sold on this recipe, so I wasn't even gonna put it on the blog. But because my dad asked for it three times, I tried making and testing them again.
After testing using toasted puffed quinoa, I found the texture to be much more what I was going for! A delicious chocolately quinoa bar with some crispness; however, the crunch comes more from the pistachios. The texture of these bars is more like chocolate puffed wheat squares - chewy!
Ingredients needed
Can I make my own puffed quinoa?
I've never made my own puffed quinoa, but I've been tempted to try. When I looked into it, it seemed hard in a home kitchen to get it as big and puffy, but let me know if you try to make it!
I get my puffed quinoa from our local bulk store, but it can also be bought online. You can also use quinoa crisps for this recipe.
Homemade puffed quinoa bars with chocolate
Follow the photos from my kitchen to make your quinoa puff bars. Scroll down to see the recipe card for exact ingredient details.
1. Toast the puffed quinoa. I found my quinoa had been sitting in the cupboard for a while, which I believe deflated the air somewhat, and so this step was important to create more crispiness.
2. While the quinoa cools. I melt the coconut oil, almond butter, and maple syrup in a pot.
3. Add the cocoa powder, then the puffed quinoa and half of the chopped pistachios.
4. Press the mixture into a loaf pan, sprinkle with pistachios and press them down. Let it sit in the fridge, then cut into squares.
Other delicious snack recipes
This blog is dedicated to healthy snack recipes that I make for my family! I use whole-food ingredients and try to make it simple (with not so many ingredients or too many steps) because I want to make a few homemade snacks and be set for the week!
If you can relate to that, and you are snack prepping, add these protein banana bars and these zucchini muffins into your snack prep session after making these!
🍫Did you make your own puffed quinoa bars? Would you take 30 seconds to give a star rating and review just below the recipe? That means a lot to me and helps the growth of Beside the Mountain healthy snack blog.
Puffed Quinoa Bars
Equipment
- 1 loaf pan
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cup puffed quinoa
- ½ cup almond butter
- ¼ cup coconut oil
- ¼ cup maple syrup
- ⅓ cup hemp hearts
- ¼ cup cocoa powder
- ½ cup divided pistachios chopped
Instructions
- Place the puffed quinoa in a fry pan and toast over medium heat for about five minutes until lightly browned. Set aside to cool.
- In a medium pot, place the almond butter, coconut oil, and maple syrup over low heat. Stir every once in a while until everything is melted, about two minutes.
- Remove the pot from the heat. Add the cocoa powder and stir until fully mixed. Then add ¼ cup of the pistachios and the toasted puffed quinoa. Stir with a spatula just until mixed.
- In a greased loaf pan, dump the top chocolate mixture and press into the corners. Sprinkle the rest of the pistachios on top and press them into the chocolate mixture. Place in the fridge to harden for at least 20 minutes, then cut into squares.
- Keep this at room temperature if you live in a dry, cool place. If you live in a more humid, or warm place, keep these in the fridge.
Nutrition
Danika Vanderpyl, C.H.N
I create snack recipes with healthy ingredients that are mostly already in your kitchen. I'm certified in Holistic Nutrition and I care about giving my kids real food. Let me share my nutrient-dense easy snacks with you.
Andrew says
These are so delicious. I've made them three times already. I definitely recommend them.
Danika Vanderpyl says
Glad you like them this much!