A couple of weeks ago, we had the honor of having our Baked Falafel recipe featured on SkinnyMs.com.
For those of you not familiar with this fabulous site, SkinnyMs shares clean eating recipes that nourish the body, support healthy living and satisfy the taste buds. The site also provides the nutritional information for the recipes, along with healthy lifestyle and fitness tips.
So whether you're trying to embrace a healthier lifestyle or simply need new ideas, SkinnyMs is an amazing resource definitely worth checking out!
Today, for our first guest post, we're featuring one of their recipes, Quinoa Protein Bars, which we fell in love with the second we saw it. Sweetened with dates, packed with nutrients and healthy fats, they make a great midday snack or on the go breakfast.
Enjoy!
Quinoa Protein Bars
- Total Time: 2 hours 35 mins
- Yield: 6 bars 1x
Description
The fats in our Quinoa Protein Bars are healthy fats primarily from the almonds. The calories are mostly from the dates, which is one of nature's sweetest foods. You will find only natural, unrefined sugars in this recipe which contains 4 SUPERFOODS--Quinoa, dates, almonds and dark chocolate.
Ingredients
- 1 cup cooked quinoa
- 16 Medjool dates
- ½ cup raw almonds, with skin
- ⅓ cup natural crunchy peanut or almond butter
- ¼ cup gluten-free dark chocolate chips
- 1 tsp coconut oil
Instructions
- Add quinoa and water to a small sauce, cover and bring to a boil, reduce heat to a simmer and cook approximately 15 minutes or until all water has been absorbed. Cool to room temperature and refrigerate for at least 2 hours (overnight will work)
- Using a food processor, add dates and pulse until they form a ball (if they're too dry, add about a tablespoon of water). Remove dates and place in a medium mixing bowl.
- Add almonds to the food processor and pulse until finely minced. Be careful not to turn the almonds into a paste. Add dates, almonds, peanut butter, and cold quinoa to the food processor and pulse until ingredients are well combined.
- Return ingredients to the mixing bowl and shape into 6 - 2" x 1" bars, about 1" thickness, or into approximately 24 balls (about 1 tablespoon each). Set aside in the refrigerator.
- In the meantime, melt chocolate chips and coconut oil in the microwave or over a double boiler. Spread melted chocolate over the top and refrigerate until set
- Bars can be stored in an airtight container for several days.
- Prep Time: 2 hours 15 mins
- Cook Time: 20 mins
- Category: Snacks
- Cuisine: Gluten Free
ENJOY! From May I have that recipe
cindele says
This is so great!Always looking for expanded uses for quinoa- can't wait to make these and give them out for Purim treats! Thanks for always keeping me in the kitchen!!
★★★★
Vicky & Ruth says
So glad you are happy being in the kitchen, we love it too, it's such a creative time!
Alexandra says
I had no idea quinoa could be used in a protein snack like this! I love trying out different combinations of nuts, dates, and other ingredients and flavors in these kinds of recipes. Now I know I can use quinoa too! Thanks for the inspiration; these sound so tasty. 🙂
Vicky & Ruth says
We absolutely love quinoa! It's packed with nutrients and so versatile! Glad you enjoyed the recipe 🙂
Your Apple Cinnamon Energy Bars look amazing by the way. Beautiful photography!
Kay says
What are the macros?
Vicky & Ruth says
If you make them into balls, the facts (per ball) are: 94 kcals, 3g fat, 15g carbs, 8g sugar, 2.4g fiber, 3g protein
Julie Savoy says
Can you make this using sprouted quinoa vs cooked, as it would be totally amazing if this could be modified to be not just healthy and vegan, but raw too!
Vicky & Ruth says
We haven't made these with sprouted quinoa yet, but what a great idea!! Please let us know how they come out if you try!
Laurie says
Do you know the protein amount (in grams) that one of these bars has?
Thanks! They sound great:-)
Vicky & Ruth says
If you make them into balls, the facts (per ball) are: 94 kcals, 3g fat, 15g carbs, 8g sugar, 2.4g fiber, 3g protein