The ultimate homemade snack bar, these no-bake Quinoa Chocolate Chip Granola Bars are packed with protein, fiber and omega-3’s. Healthy, travel friendly and easy to make these are my go to snack.
There is just something about the combination of creamy, salty peanut butter and rich, chocolate goodness that makes me happy. These and my Chocolate Peanut Butter Overnight Oats are breakfast meals I can’t help but look forward too! I love to take this popular combo and turn them into a healthy snack. The best part about these Quinoa Chocolate Chip Granola Bars? They’re NO BAKE! That’s right friends, no need to turn on the oven. Which, if you’re heading into the summer months, will keep you cool!
Ingredients
- Quinoa: Slightly nutty in flavor, and toasting enhances the flavor, they’re a great whole-grain and source of fiber.
- Oats: A great source of fiber and low in fat, I usually use old-fashioned or quick oats.
- Walnuts: Chopped toasted walnuts add sweetness and texture to the finished bars.
- Chia seeds: Little bits of crunch as well as fiber, antioxidants, and other nutrients.
- Flax seed meal: Adds little in flavor or texture, but is a fantastic source of omega-3 fatty acids and other nutrients.
- Peanut butter: Sweet, creamy, and nutty in taste, its also a wonderful source of protein.
- Honey: The perfect way to sweeten things without adding processes sugars.
- Cinnamon: Warmth, spice, and a bit woodsy in taste.
- Vanilla: Some sweetness and flavor.
- Salt: Enhances and balances out the flavors of the bars.
- Chocolate chips: I usually use semi-sweet, or sometimes dark chocolate chips, for a rich flavor.
How to Make Quinoa Chocolate Chip Granola Bars
Start your quinoa chocolate chip granola bars by chopping you walnuts and setting your oven to 350.
Spread the nuts, oats, quinoa, flax, and chia seeds on a baking sheet and toast for about 10 minutes.
While grains are toasting, melt the peanut butter and honey in a pot until smooth. Then stir in the cinnamon, vanilla, and salt.
Then in a large bowl, mix the toasted grains with the peanut butter mixture until fully combined. Let cool slightly, then stir in the chocolate chips.
Then in a prepared baking dish, spread the mixture out and press down firmly. Set aside and let cool at least two hours, or overnight.
Once cooled, cut into uniform bars and enjoy your Quinoa Chocolate Chip Granola Bars!
Helpful Tips
- Use parchment paper when pressing down firmly to form the bars without the mixture sticking!
- Make sure you let the bars cool completely before cutting, to avoid them sticking to the knife.
- You could skip the chocolate and use raisins or other dried fruit instead if that’s more to your taste.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you bind granola bars together?
What grains are in granola?
Is granola actually healthy?
More Healthy Snacks
- Indian Spiced Mixed Nuts
- No Bake Chocolate Chia Energy Bites
- Japanese Quick Pickled Cucumbers
- Fruit Salad with Honey Yogurt Dressing
- High Protein Homemade Granola
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If you want a healthy snack that is ready to go whenever you are, then these Quinoa Chocolate Chip Granola Bars are perfect for you.
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Quinoa Chocolate Chip Granola Bars
Ingredients
- 1 cup quinoa (uncooked)
- 1 cup oats (old fashioned or quick cooking)
- ½ cup chopped walnuts
- ½ cup chia seeds
- ½ cup flax seed meal
- ⅔ cup creamy natural peanut butter (I like to use Skippy or JIF)
- ½ cup honey
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup chocolate chips
Instructions
- Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees. Spread quinoa, oats, walnuts, chia, and flax on a baking sheet then bake until slightly toasted and nutty, about 10 minutes.
- Meanwhile, line an 8" x 11" baking dish with plastic wrap then spray plastic wrap with cooking spray; set aside.
- In a small sauce pot, melt peanut butter and honey until smooth and creamy over medium heat. Remove from the heat once bubbles start to form around the edges – careful not to bring to a full boil. Whisk cinnamon, vanilla and salt into the peanut butter mixture. Mixture should be thin – the consistency of melted caramel sauce.
- Place toasted quinoa and oat mixture into a large bowl then pour melted peanut butter sauce into the bowl. Using a rubber spatula, stir mixture until everything is evenly coated.
- Let mixture cool slightly then stir in chocolate chips then spread mixture evenly into the prepared glass baking dish. Use spatula to press mixture firmly into the pan.
- Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until chilled, 2 hours or up to overnight. Slice into 16 bars, and serve.
Last Step:
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Liz’s Notes
For storage, I like to wrap each bar individually in plastic wrap then place in a resealable plastic bag for on-the-go snacking.
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