Chocolate Quinoa Energy Bars

Chocolate Quinoa Energy Bars
Photography by Scott Payne | Food Styling by Venessa Dubiel

Chocolate Quinoa Energy Bars

These fudgy energy bars offer a balanced package of protein, carbohydrates, healthful fats and a bevy of nutrients. They’re a convenient snack for a hiking or biking trip, or for refueling your body after a workout.


See more “Light Bites” recipes!


Developed by Jackie Newgent

Ingredients

  • ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • ½ cup whole-wheat pastry flour
  • ½ cup, plus 2 tablespoons raw shelled hemp seeds, divided
  • 1⅓ cups (7.5 ounces) packed pitted dried dates
  • 4 large eggs
  • ⅔ cup fat-free milk or unsweetened plant-based milk
  • ½ cup coconut nectar or honey
  • 1½ teaspoons pure vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon sea salt
  • ¼ cup grapeseed oil
  • ⅓ cup dry quinoa, rinsed and well drained

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 325°F. Line the bottom of a 9-by-13-inch nonstick baking pan with parchment paper and set aside. Stir together cocoa powder, flour and ½ cup hemp seeds in a medium bowl and set aside. Place dates, eggs, milk, coconut nectar, vanilla extract and salt in a blender. Cover and puree on high for about 1 minute.
  2. Add grapeseed oil and puree on high for about 30 seconds. Pour contents into a large bowl. Add the cocoa mixture and stir until just combined. Add quinoa and stir until it’s evenly combined.
  3. Pour batter into the prepared pan. Sprinkle with the remaining 2 tablespoons hemp seeds. Bake until it’s springy to the touch, about 35 minutes.
  4. Remove from the oven and cut into 12 bars. Cool completely in the pan on a cooling rack, then remove bars. Enjoy at room temperature or chilled from the freezer. Serves 12.

Nutrition Information

  • For flavor variations, use different oils, such as peanut, coconut or walnut oil.

Nutrition Information

Serving size: 1 bar (3 ounces)

Calories: 214; Total fat: 11g; Saturated fat: 2g; Cholesterol: 62mg; Sodium: 268mg; Carbohydrate: 26g; Fiber: 4g; Sugars: 14g; Protein: 8g; Potassium: N/A; Phosphorus: N/A

Jackie Newgent on FacebookJackie Newgent on GoogleJackie Newgent on InstagramJackie Newgent on LinkedinJackie Newgent on PinterestJackie Newgent on Twitter
Jackie Newgent
Jackie Newgent, RDN, CDN, is a chef, registered dietitian nutritionist, cookbook author and media personality. She’s a recreational culinary instructor at the Institute of Culinary Education and freelance professional recipe developer. Read her blog, Tasteovers by Jackie, and connect with her on Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, Google+, Instagram and LinkedIn.