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.
Servings: 12 bars
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
- Line an 8-inch (20 cm) square baking pan with foil.
- 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.
- Press mixture into prepared pan (use a large piece of wax paper or plastic wrap to smooth and spread mixture flat).
- 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).
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
Serving: 1bar | Calories: 211kcal | Carbohydrates: 35.5g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 7.5g | Sodium: 138mg | Fiber: 4.5g | Sugar: 17.3g