Easy Puffed Quinoa Recipe: Peanut Butter Chocolate Bars

You know I have a sweet tooth – and this puffed quinoa recipe is perfect for anyone who loves peanut butter and chocolate. The best part about this recipe? It can be made completely vegan by using dairy-free chocolate and it is packed with nutritious ingredients including puffed quinoa and hemp seeds.

My puffed quinoa recipe also requires no oven and can be stored in the fridge for several weeks – but I’m willing to bet they won’t last that long.

Why You Will Love This Puffed Quinoa Recipe:

• Yummy – Dark chocolate and PB, need I say more? Add in some maple syrup and this puffed quinoa recipe will be a hit for anyone with a sweet tooth.
• Easy – 20 minutes and 10 ingredients are all you need to whip up this puffed quinoa recipe
• Packed with Protein – With ingredients like PB, puffed quinoa, and hemp seeds – these bars are an excellent source of protein.

Ingredient Notes

Hemp Seeds: Technically a nut, hemp seeds are very nutritious and rich in healthy fats – including omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. Both fats are known for improving heart health – which is fitting because hemp seeds are often referred to as hemp hearts.

Puffed Quinoa: Did you know that quinoa puffs contain nearly twice as much fiber as nearly all other grains? They are a great source of fiber and take on a nutty taste – which makes them perfect for this puffed quinoa recipe.

How to make Puffed Quinoa:

1. Prepare an 8×8 inch pan with parchment paper and set aside.
2. To a large bowl, add the quinoa puffs, PB, hemp seeds, vanilla extract, vanilla paste, maple syrup, and salt.
3. Mix with a wooden spoon to combine.
4. Transfer the puffed quinoa to the prepared pan and firmly press down.
5. In a small bowl, combine the dark chocolate chips and coconut oil.
6. Melt the two ingredients together in the microwave, mix together.
7. Pour over top of the pressed-down quinoa puffs, and spread evenly
8. Set in the fridge for 3 – 5 minutes, add flaky salt on top, and set in the fridge until chocolate is firm.
9. After about 10 – 15 minutes, cut into 16 equal pieces and enjoy!!

Expert Tips & FAQ

What is puffed quinoa? Puffed quinoa essentially takes regular quinoa but heats and agitates it until it pops like popcorn.

Where to buy puffed quinoa: You can often find quinoa puffs at your grocery store in the organic aisle or with other grains.

How to make puffed quinoa: Heat a pan and when it’s very hot, add quinoa to the skillet. If the heat is high enough the quinoa will start popping right away. Shake the skillet to keep the quinoa from burning.

Is puffed quinoa good for you? Absolutely, it has the same nutritional benefits as regular quinoa.

What is the difference between puffed quinoa and quinoa? Puffed quinoa is when you take the grain and pop it so it’s puffy like popcorn.

Other quinoa recipes you’ll love:

• Quinoa & Spinach Patties
• Quinoa Salad
• Cauliflower Bites

Puffed Quinoa Peanut Butter Chocolate Bars Recipe

4.66 from 20 votes

You know I have a sweet tooth – and this puffed quinoa bars recipe is perfect for anyone who loves PB and chocolate.

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Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 20 minutes mins

Course Vegan Desserts

Cuisine Vegan, Vegetarian, Dairy-Free, Gluten-Free, Refined Sugar-Free

Servings 16 squares

Calories 383 kcal

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 3 – 3 ¼ cups quinoa puffs
• 1 ½ cups peanut butter
• 6 tbsp. hemp seeds
• 1 tbsp. SO vanilla extract
• 2 tsp. SO vanilla paste
• 1/3 cup maple syrup
• Pinch of salt
• 1 cup + 2 tbsp dark chocolate chips vegan
• 1 tbsp. coconut oil
• Extra flaky salt

Instructions

 

• Prepare an 8×8 inch pan with parchment paper and set aside.
• To a large bowl, add the quinoa puffs, peanut butter, hemp seeds, vanilla extract, vanilla paste, maple syrup, and salt. 
• Mix with a wooden spoon to combine.
• Transfer the puffed quinoa to the prepared pan and firmly press down.
• In a small bowl, combine the dark chocolate chips and coconut oil.
• Melt the two ingredients together in the microwave, mix together.
• Pour over top of the pressed-down quinoa puffs, and spread evenly
• Set in the fridge for 3 – 5 minutes, add flaky salt on top, and set in the fridge until chocolate is firm.  
• After about 10 – 15 minutes, cut into 16 equal pieces and enjoy!!

Video

Notes

Use ANY nut butter that you want. Customize it! Even add other delicious ingredients on the inside like; mini chocolate chips, nuts, cinnamon, coconut, anything!

This is the PERFECT on-the-go snack!

To make this completely vegan, be sure to use dairy free chocolate chips!

Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks, or in the freezer for 1 – 2 months.

Nutrition

Serving: 16 | Calories: 383kcal | Carbohydrates: 38.3g | Protein: 12.1g | Fat: 21.3g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 5.7g | Cholesterol: 0.6mg | Sodium: 125mg | Fiber: 4.6g | Sugar: 10.9g

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4.66 from 20 votes