Description
These no-bake bars combine cooked quinoa, peanut butter, honey, and dark chocolate chips for a chewy, protein-packed snack that satisfies sweet cravings without the sugar crash.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup cooked quinoa (white or red), cooled completely
- 1/2 cup natural creamy peanut butter
- 1/4 cup raw honey
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips
- 1 pinch flaky sea salt
- Optional: 1/4 cup chopped nuts, dried cranberries, coconut flakes, or chia seeds
Instructions
- Cook 1/2 cup dry quinoa according to package instructions (rinse, add 1 cup water, boil, simmer 15 minutes). Let cool completely.
- In a medium saucepan over low heat, combine peanut butter and honey. Stir constantly until smooth and warm (3-4 minutes). Do not boil.
- Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract and salt.
- Pour the warm peanut butter mixture over the cooled quinoa in a large mixing bowl. Fold gently until every grain is coated.
- Fold in chocolate chips carefully to avoid crushing them.
- Line an 8×8 inch baking pan with parchment paper. Transfer mixture to the pan and press down firmly and evenly using the back of a spoon or greased hands.
- Refrigerate for at least 2 hours until firm (or 30 minutes in freezer).
- Lift bars out using parchment overhang and cut into squares or rectangles with a sharp knife.
Notes
Ensure quinoa is completely cooled before mixing to prevent melting the chocolate. Press the mixture firmly into the pan to ensure bars hold together. For clean cuts, dip the knife in hot water and wipe dry between cuts. Bars taste better after sitting in the fridge for a day.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Snack
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 12
- Sodium: 45
- Fat: 9
- Saturated Fat: 3
- Carbohydrates: 22
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 6
Keywords: quinoa bars, no-bake snacks, healthy chocolate, peanut butter bars, gluten-free snacks, protein bars, chewy bars