RECIPE BY: Vindi’s Kitchen
These healthy quinoa bars are the perfect on-the-go snack! Cinnamon pairs perfectly with the dried fruits and nuts to keep you feeling energized throughout your winter activities. To “spice” things up you can substitute any kind of dried fruit, spice, or nut to make these bars your own (just use the same quantity)!
Makes 8 bars
INGREDIENTS
Dry:
- 2 cups quinoa flakes
- 1 cup toasted almonds roughly chopped
- ½ cup dried cranberries
- ½ cup sultanas
- ¼ cup pepitas
- 1 cup dates chopped
- Pinch of salt
- Pinch of cinnamon
Wet:
- ½ cup peanut butter
- 1 tbsp coconut oil
- 1/3 cup maple syrup (can substitute with honey/rice malt syrup)
DIRECTIONS
- Prepare a 9” by 9” pan lined with parchment paper
- Microwave the dates for 40 seconds to 1 minute (or until warm and soft)
- Add all dry ingredients with dates to a big bowl
- In a saucepan over medium heat add oil, peanut butter and maple syrup until just melted
- Pour the wet mixture onto the dry and mix with a spoon till everything is coated
- Transfer everything into a food processor and pulse until the mixture sticks together
- The mixture will be sticky (you should be able to form a ball easily with your palm)
- If it is crumbly, keep processing or pulse a few times, add a bit more maple syrup or a teaspoon of hot water
- Deposit the sticky mixture on the prepared baking tray
- Spread evenly and flatten using your palm or spatula to make a firm slab
- Refrigerate for several hours to set (at least 5 hours or overnight)
- When firm, take the slab out of the pan and place on a cutting board
- Using a sharp knife, cut into pieces.
These bars can be stored at room temperature in an airtight container for 3 days or in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.
