Puffed quinoa, date & peanut butter bars
These puffed quinoa, date & peanut butter bars are a healthy snack packed with ingredients to give you
A healthy no-bake granola bar
These puffed quinoa, date & peanut butter bars are the answer to when you need a quick breakfast on the go, something for that 3 pm slump, or just something to give you enough energy to make it through your evening workout. These bars are the real deal.
I like to make a batch of these on Sunday for food prep and have them in the fridge ready to go for the week ahead.
When that afternoon slump hits, these bars are a SAVIOUR! (Thank you bars, thank you!!) Needless to say, I’m a big fan of energy balls & energy bars for when hanger strike! (Because getting hangry is a real thing!)
Why you’ll love this recipe
- These bars require no oven, no baking, and can be mixed up in one bowl for a super quick and easy granola bar recipe!
- They are refined sugar-free, vegan and gluten-free and loaded with superfoods and protein.
- The Medjool dates add a delicious caramel-like flavour and act as a binding agent in these bars so they stick together.
- These bars can be stored in the fridge for several weeks, and freeze well.
How to make these puffed quinoa, date & peanut butter bars
These bars are made with ingredients designed to keep you fuelled, and not spike your blood sugar. (like reaching for a cookie or candy bar) They balance carb, protein and fat so you’ll feel completely satisfied after eating one AND it’ll tie you over until your next meal.
Here’s how to make them:
- Pulse the dates in a food processor until it forms a paste.
- Add melted peanut butter cinnamon and vanilla to the food processor and pulse until combined.
- Add the dry ingredients and pulse just until everything is mixed together.
- Transfer to an 8×8 pan lined with parchment paper and place in the fridge to set.
Recipe tips and variations
- These puffed quinoa, date & peanut butter bars start with a base of Medjool dates. Medjool dates are big and sweet and have a much sticker consistency than a regular date. This makes them the perfect binder for the granola bars to stick together. If you have a box of Medjool dates that aren’t fresh, they might be a little dry. If this is the case, soak your dates in hot water for 2 minutes, then drain and proceed with the recipe. (This will make sure they are nice and sticky!)
- I use natural peanut butter for this recipe, but creamy peanut butter
or any nut butter will work just fine! I’ve tried these with almond butter too and they are also delicious! - You can find puffed quinoa at most health food stores or online. Do not use regular quinoa! This is not the same as puffed quinoa!
- If you can’t find puffed quinoa, you can substitute it with puffed rice.
- If there are any additional mix-ins you love, feel free to add them in! These would be delicious with some chocolate chips, dried blueberries or shredded coconut
Other healthy snacks to try
If you tried these puffed quinoa, date & peanut butter bars or any other recipe on the blog let me know how you liked it by leaving a comment/rating below! Be sure to follow along on Pinterest, Instagram and Facebook for even more deliciousness!
Recipe adapted from green kitchen stories.
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Puffed quinoa, date and peanut butter bars
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 12 bars 1x
- Category: Snack
- Method: Mix
- Cuisine: American
Description
These healthy energy bars will be your new bestie when hunger strikes!
Ingredients
- 1 cup pitted Medjool dates
- 1 cup peanut butter
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- pinch of salt
- 3/4 cup puffed quinoa
- 1/4 cup pumpkin seeds
- 1/4 cup sunflower seeds
- 1/4 cup chopped almonds
Instructions
- Blend the dates in a food processor until they form a paste.
- Melt the peanut butter in a small saucepan or microwave and add it to the food processor, along with the vanilla extract, cinnamon and salt. Pulse until well combined.
- Add the puffed quinoa, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds and chopped almonds and pulse just until everything is combined. (Do not overmix!)
- Line an 8×8 baking pan with parchment paper and transfer the bar mixture into the pan.
- Use your hands to press the mixture down evenly into the pan.
- Place in the fridge to set for 2 hours.
- Remove and cut into bars.
- Store bars in a container in the fridge.
Notes
You can use natural or creamy peanut butter for these bars You want to make sure your Medjool dates are fresh and sticky. If they are dry, soak them in hot water for 2 minutes, then drain and proceed with the recipe. Add any additional mix in you like to these. Chocolate chips, dried fruits, or nuts!
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 12g
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Carbohydrates: 19g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 7g
Keywords: healthy granola bars recipe, homemade energy bars
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I made these but they completely fell apart. I soaked the dates but it didn’t seem to work. I’ve made the original from GKS and they turned out great so I’d love to figure out how to make these work.
Hi Carrie, so sorry to hear the recipe didn’t turn out fo you! this is likely due to the size and stickiness of the dates you use. If your dates are dry, I recommend soaking them in some warm water. I’ve gone ahead and adjusted the recipe to add some more dates and less puffed quinoa which should definitely help the bars stick together much better and give a little more leeway if your dates are a bit drier. Hope this helps!
I loved the taste but they completely fell apart. I’m wondering if more dates, peanut butter or honey will keep it together better.
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Hi Andres, one reason your bars would fall apart would have to do with the dates you used. If your medjool dates aren’t fresh, they won’t bind the bars together well. If your dates feel try, refer to the note in the recipe card for how to rehydrate them. That should help!
These are delicious! I’m an avid hiker and like to make my own energy snacks. I did add a little honey and hot water to get it to stick together a little more. So many variations to try. Thanks for the great recipe!
Thank you Cathy! These would be perfect to bring on a hike!
I just made it and it looks great. Haven’t tried it yet.
I couldn’t find puffed quinoa anywhere so I popped my own. It doesn’t come out like what yours looks like though. Did you toast it yourself? I rinsed it, then dried in the oven, then popped on the stove.
Where do you find puffed quinoa? They don’t have it at Whole Foods.
I also make my own nut butter so looking forward to it!
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Hi June, I hope they came out great! So interesting you popped your own quinoa-I’ve never tried this before! The texture definitely may be different if it’s toasted and popped as opposed to “puffed.” I believe they sell this at whole foods (perhaps ask someone who works there.) They also sell this in some major grocery stores in the health food aisle. (maybe trader jo’s?) And you can also order some online on Amazon! Another option could also be to substitute the puffed quinoa with rice crispies!
They look great Jess! I actually have a bag of puffed quinoa, and wasn’t sure what to make with it, so this recipe will be perfect! Thanks for sharing!
Hi Anna, thank you! These bars are a great way to use puffed quinoa! I was actually in the same boat as you, a huge bag of puffed quinoa and I wasn’t sure what to do with it all. Until these bars came along!:)
i should do and eat a bar or two of those when I’m out cycling, they can be a perfect boost for my long workouts!!! thanks Jess!! regards from London!
Hi Domenico & Marcella! Yes these bars are PERFECT for cycling and working out! Definitely great for some energy on the go. Thanks for stopping by the blog! Always appreciated 🙂
This looks great. Did you use raw or toasted sunflower seeds and pumpkin seeds?
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Hi June, thank you! I personally used unsalted sunflower seeds & pumpkin seeds that I toast up myself to give them a little more flavour. Though you’re welcome to use raw or toasted! I would say to avoid salted seeds as they might alter the taste of the bars.