Ingredients
1 cup puffed quinoa
1/2 cup almond butter (or any nut/seed butter)
1/4 cup coconut oil
1/4 cup maple syrup (or agave nectar)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 cup unsweetened shredded coconut (optional)
1/4 cup dark chocolate chips (dairy-free, sweetened with stevia or other natural sweetener)
A pinch of sea salt
Instructions
1. Prepare the Pan: Line an 8x8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving some overhang for easy removal.
2. Melt Wet Ingredients: In a small saucepan over low heat, combine the almond butter, coconut oil, and maple syrup. Stir until melted and smooth. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract.
3. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the puffed quinoa, shredded coconut (if using), and a pinch of sea salt.
4. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Pour the almond butter mixture over the dry ingredients and stir until everything is well combined.
5. Add Chocolate Chips: Let the mixture cool slightly before adding the dark chocolate chips to prevent them from melting completely. Stir gently to distribute the chocolate chips throughout the mixture.
6. Press into Pan: Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking pan. Use a spatula or the back of a spoon to press it firmly and evenly into the pan.
7. Chill: Refrigerate the bars for at least 1 hour, or until firm.
8. Cut and Serve: Once the bars are set, lift them out of the pan using the parchment paper overhang. Cut into squares or bars of your desired size.
9. Store: Store the quinoa crunch bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week or in the freezer for up to a month.
10. Enjoy!
Tips for Perfect Quinoa Crunch Bars
1. Use Puffed Quinoa: Make sure to use puffed quinoa rather than raw quinoa. Puffed quinoa adds the desired crunch and is ready to eat without any additional cooking.
2. Quality Nut/Seed Butter: Use a high-quality, natural nut or seed butter without added sugars or oils. Stir well before measuring to incorporate the natural oils.
3. Cool Before Adding Chocolate Chips: Allow the mixture to cool slightly before adding the chocolate chips. This prevents them from melting completely, ensuring you'll have delicious chocolate chunks in every bite.
4. Firmly Press the Mixture: When pressing the mixture into the pan, use a spatula or the back of a spoon to press it down firmly and evenly. This ensures the bars will hold together well once set.
5. Chill Properly: Make sure to chill the bars for at least an hour to let them set completely. This makes cutting them into bars easier and helps them hold their shape.
6. Cutting the Bars: Use a sharp knife to cut the bars. For clean edges, wipe the knife with a damp cloth between cuts.
7. Storage: Store the bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator to keep them fresh and maintain their crunch. For longer storage, keep them in the freezer and thaw as needed.
8. Customizing the Recipe: Feel free to customize your bars by adding other ingredients such as dried fruits, nuts, seeds, or spices like cinnamon or nutmeg for added flavor and texture.
9. Avoid Overheating the Nut/Seed Butter Mixture: Heat the almond butter, coconut oil, and maple syrup mixture over low heat just until melted and smooth. Overheating can affect the texture and flavor of the bars.
10. Batch Size: If you want thicker bars, use a smaller pan or double the recipe. For thinner bars, use a larger pan or press the mixture less densely.
Feel free to adjust the toppings or ingredients according to your preferences and to add 30g of protein to make it more protein and control your glycemic index!
Nutritional Information (Approximate per Serving, based on 12 bars)
Calories: 150kcal
Carbohydrates: 12g
Protein: 3g
Fat: 10g
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