No-Bake Quinoa Protein Bars {vegan, gluten-free}

No-bake quinoa protein bars are a perfect alternative to store-bought bars. They are vegan, gluten-free, date-sweetened, and easy to make, too.

Based on the response to my Date-Sweetened Zee Bars post on Monday, it’s clear that I am but one of many interested in wholesome, naturally sweetened treats that simultaneously deliver a power boost.

So here’s another.

The original idea for these bars stemmed from leftover, cooked quinoa. You may be imagining a cup or two in a zip-top baggie, or perhaps a modest piece of tupperware. If only that were the case.

When I was at the height of recipe development for my quinoa book–500 Best Quinoa Recipes–I had heaps of quinoa, cooked, soaked, sprouted, toasted, and ground in a hodge podge of containers that soon overwhelmed our refrigerator. And freezer. It could have been a special edition of Hoarding: Buried Alive. In quinoa.

It was when I turned to our wine refrigerator for storing the excess that Kevin put his foot down.

It’s a good thing, too, because it forced me to devise some additional quick & easy quinoa recipes, pronto. Kevin is as big a fan of homemade energy and power bars as I am, so these quinoa power bars were a natural outcome.

Quinoa for Vegan Protein Bars

The texture of these bars is in the neighborhood of Larabars and Clifbars and they are gently sweet. Because quinoa is a complete protein, they offer a good boost of protein as well as fiber; you can supplement the protein in the bars further by adding a scoop of your favorite all-natural plant-based (vegan) protein powder.

Half of a bar before I teach my evening spinning class makes me feel like I have superwoman powers, even if I’ve been dragging through the afternoon. I haven’t asked Kevin if they make him feel like superwoman, too, but he does like them a lot.

I’m feeling inspired by date-sweetened treats, so look for more to come!

Related Posts:

1. Vegan Chocolate Avocado Pudding {no cook, easy}
2. 4-Ingredient Chocolate Quinoa Muffins {Vegan, Oil-Fee, GF}
3. Chocolate Chip Banana Quinoa Muffins {vegan, GF, flourless}
4. 3-Ingredient Grain-Free Granola Bars {Vegan, Keto Option}
5. Chocolate Coconut Protein Bars {5 ingredients, Vegan}
6. 3-Ingredient Keto Protein Bars {vegan, easy}

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Yield: 12 bars

No-Bake Quinoa Protein Bars {vegan, gluten-free}

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No-bake quinoa protein bars are a perfect alternative to store-bought bars. They are vegan, gluten-free, date-sweetened, and easy to make, too.

Prep Time 10 minutes

Total Time 10 minutes

Ingredients

• 2/3 cup packed, pitted dates
• 1/3 cup unsweetened natural nut or seed butter (e.g., peanut, sunflower, almond)
• 1/8 tsp fine sea salt
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup old-fashioned or quick-cooking rolled oats (GF, if needed)
• 1 cup cooked, cooled quinoa (see note below)
• 1/3 cup coarsely chopped toasted walnuts
• 1/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips (GF, if needed)

Instructions

1. Line an 8-inch square baking pan with foil.
2. In food processor, pulse the dates until finely chopped. Add nut butter, salt and vanilla; process until blended. Add the oats, cooled quinoa, and walnuts; pulse until mixture forms a dough. Add chocolate chips; pulse 1 or 2 times to just combine.
3. Press mixture into prepared pan (use a large piece of wax paper or plastic wrap to smooth and spread mixture flat).
4. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour. Using foil liner, lift mixture from pan and transfer to a cutting board. Peel off foil and cut into 12 bars.

Notes

To prepare the quinoa: In a small saucepan, combine 1/3 cup quinoa (rinsed) and 1/2 cup water. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to low, cover and simmer for 10 minutes or until water is almost absorbed. Remove from heat and let stand, covered, for 10 minutes. Transfer to a bowl, fluff with a fork, and cool completely.
Storage: Individually wrap the bars and store in an airtight container for up to 1 week in the refrigerator OR the freezer for up to 1 month (thaw at room temperature).

Nutrition Information

Serving Size

1 bar
Amount Per Serving Calories 211Total Fat 7.5gSaturated Fat 0gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 0gCholesterol 0mgSodium 138mgCarbohydrates 35.5gFiber 4.5gSugar 17.3gProtein 7g

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