These quinoa crispy treats offer a healthier alternative to traditional rice crispy treats. With healthy fats, 5 grams of protein and 3 grams of fiber per bar these are a treat you can feel good about sharing with family and friends!
I’m all for enjoying treats. Desserts add to life’s enjoyment. I try to consume them in moderation and to satisfaction – even if that means stopping before it’s all gone or eating all of it. One thing I am always interested in is how to make a favorite treat just a little bit healthier. Today I’m sharing my results with you on my latest kitchen testing – finding a healthier alternative to rice crispy treats. And by George, I think I’ve got it!
I used popped quinoa instead of puffed rice cereal. If you’ve never popped quinoa before it’s actually quite easy. It’s similar to popping corn on the stovetop. You heat a pan, then add the quinoa and watch it pop! You do have to work in small batches so all the quinoa pops and you don’t burn it. And when it’s done your kitchen will have a lovely nutty aroma! I think I’m going to be using popped quinoa in more recipes in the future!
After popping the quinoa you continue cooking on the stovetop with the remaining ingredients, whipping them all together and placing them in a square baking dish. After cooling in the fridge you are all set to enjoy your yummy quinoa crispy treats! Thanks to the popping and toasting of the quinoa, these treats have a nutty taste to them which pairs perfectly with the peanut butter.
Move over rice - there's a new crispy treat in town! Try these popped Quinoa Crispy Treats asap! Share on XThey are loaded with nutrition, too! Each bar has 5 grams of protein and 3 grams of fiber. Plus, they are full of healthy good-for-you fats from the flax seed, quinoa and peanut butter. You can easily customize this recipe with any nut butter of choice, or sun butter if you are allergic to nuts. If you want to make it vegan use maple syrup instead of honey. If you aren’t feeling like you want chocolate on top, leave it off! You can make this recipe yours!
Enjoy these delicious quinoa crispy treats for a movie-night at home or share them with friends and family at the next party, gathering or get together. Either way, everyone will love them and love you for making them!
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Quinoa Crispy Treats
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 16 bars 1x
- Category: dessert
- Method: stove top
- Cuisine: American
Description
These quinoa crispy treats offer a healthier alternative to traditional rice crispy treats. With healthy fats, 5 grams of protein and 3 grams of fiber per bar these are a treat you can feel good about sharing with family and friends!
Ingredients
- 2 cups dry quinoa
- 1/2 cup natural creamy peanut butter (or other nut butter)
- 1/2 cup honey (or maple syrup)
- 1/4 cup ground flax seed
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup dark chocolate chips
Instructions
For the popped quinoa:
- Heat a heavy bottomed skillet or pan over medium heat. Once the pan is hot, add a little bit of the dry quinoa. If a few of them start to pop you know the pan is hot enough. Add in just enough quinoa to have a single layer on the bottom of the pan. You will hear and see the quinoa start to pop. Shuffle the pan around so the quinoa doesn’t burn. Continue doing this until the popping decreases and the quinoa are golden brown (you will smell a nutty aroma). Transfer the quinoa into a bowl.
- Continue working in small batches until you have popped all of the quinoa.
For the quinoa crispy treats:
- Prepare a 8X8-inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray or parchment paper; set aside. In a medium sauce pan, heat the peanut butter and honey over medium heat. Cook until it boils, stirring frequently. Once it reaches a boil, remove from the heat.
- Add in the quinoa, flax seed and salt. Stir together until well combined. Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish and press down with a rubber spatula.
- In the same medium sauce pan over low heat, add the 1/4 cup dark chocolate chips. Stir until melted. Pour over the quinoa and spread so there is a thin, even layer across the top. Cover the baking dish with plastic wrap or tin foil and place in the refrigerator for 1-2 hours, or until set (alternatively, you can place them in the freezer for ~30 minutes). Cut into 16 bars. Enjoy!
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 190
- Sugar: 13 g
- Sodium: 59 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
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What a great alternative to the traditional rice crispy treat! Love the addition of chocolate on top!
It’s fun to mix things up every once in a while!
I want to try these ASAP! They look so yummy!
Thanks! They are delicious!
I’m going to definitely save this to try! I’ve never heard of popping quinoa and what a great idea to substitute in for the cereal so much more nutritious.
Thanks, Shannah! Popping quinoa is a fun little kitchen experiment you should definitely try!
I recently bought a bag of puffed quinoa, but it seems like it would be much easier and cheaper to just make your own! These look delicious.
Store bought puffed quinoa would work in the recipe as well, though it would probably have a lighter texture and taste to it. I’ll have to look for it in the store next time!
Absolutely love this idea! Can’t believe you did it without marshmallows too – pinning!!
Thanks, Kelly!
Omg these look delicious ! I could definitely eat like 10 of these haha
Kasey Ma
thestylewright.com
Thanks! They are so good! I may or may not have been eating one every single day for the past week… 😉
What a healthy, interesting take on rice crispy treats. Never would of thought of this. I’m definitely going to give it a try
I hope you like them!
These look like such a satisfying alternative to rice crispy treats! Thanks for sharing!
Thanks! They’re a fun treat, for sure!
Oh yum! I love this! It’s so nice when yummy treats are also healthier. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks, Meredith!
These look like a yummy alternative to rice crispies- and honestly they look yummier! I’ll have to try this!
Thanks, Samantha! I hope you give them a try!
This bar came out fabulous! Crispy, crunchy and perfect! I made them with time saving store bought puffed quinoa (that we’re fairly tiny) and they came out great.
I saved a step by just melting the chips a bit in the microwave and spreading it on the top of the pressed bar. I did find bringing them back to room temp before biting was kinder on the teeth. This recipe is a keeper!
I’m so glad to hear you like it and were able to adjust the recipe to your needs! I love the time-saving tip to use store bought puffed quinoa!