Healthy Quinoa Crunch Cookies
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This quick and easy no bake recipe for our Healthy Quinoa Crunch Cookies is a delicious protein and guilt-free snack made with only 3 ingredients! If you love chocolate, peanut butter and puffed quinoa cereal, then these delectable quinoa protein cookies are for you!
Never heard of puffed quinoa? Don’t worry, you can find it at health food stores or online, but you can also make it yourself at home. Just heat a dry pan over medium heat, add a few tablespoons of uncooked quinoa, and stir until it pops like mini popcorn, usually within 1-2 minutes. It’s that easy!
More no bake treats? You’ll love these Easy Vegan Protein Bars with Nuts and Seeds, these Classic Vegan No-Bake Cookies and these Easy Chocolate Peanut Butter Crunch Bars!
Why You’ll Love These Healthy Quinoa Crunch Bars
- Quick and easy to make with only 3 ingredients, no baking required.
- A perfect blend of crunchy, chewy, and chocolatey goodness.
- Packed with plant-based protein from puffed quinoa.
- A more wholesome option compared to store-bought candy bars.
- Naturally gluten-free.
- Ideal for a post-workout snack or midday pick-me-up.
- Customizable with your favorite nut butter or add-ins like dried fruit and seeds.
- Kid-friendly and great for meal prepping.
These quinoa crunch cookies are the ultimate guilt-free indulgence!
What is Quinoa?
Quinoa (pronounced KEEN-wah) is the seed of the Chenopodium quinoa plant. This ancient grain, often referred to as a “superfood,” has gained popularity in recent years due to its high protein and nutrient content.
Quinoa is also popular because it’s a gluten-free grain. This means people with celiac disease, wheat allergies or those who avoid gluten can consume it.
This grain is also popular because it’s very nutritious. It’s packed with vitamins and minerals and contains more protein, fiber and healthy fats than other grains.
Nutritional Benefits of Quinoa
We already know quinoa is a superfood, but why exactly does it deserve the hype? For starters, quinoa is a complete protein, meaning it contains all nine essential amino acids, which is a rarity for plant-based foods. This makes it ideal for vegans and vegetarians looking to boost their protein intake.
In addition to protein, quinoa is a great source of fiber, which supports digestive health and keeps you feeling full longer. It’s also rich in magnesium, iron, and B vitamins, helping to keep your energy levels up and your immune system strong. So, when you bite into these quinoa protein cookies, you’re not just getting a treat, you’re fueling your body with nutrients!
The 3 Ingredients You’ll Need
Healthy chocolate peanut butter Quinoa Crunch cookies Bars Recipe
- 2 cups non-dairy semi-sweet chocolate chips or dark chocolate chips or dairy-free milk chocolate chips
- 1/4 cup peanut butter
- 2 cups puffed quinoa cereal (I used the smaller quinoa, but you can use the larger quinoa puffs cereal as well). You can also make puffed quinoa yourself by heating a dry pan or hot skillet over medium heat for toasting. Add uncooked quinoa, and stirring until it pops, usually in 1-2 minutes. Let it cool before using.
Here Are the 2 Different Kinds of Quinoa I Recommend
Instructions How to Make Healthy Chocolate Peanut Butter Quinoa Crunch Cookies
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
- In a medium bowl, add the chocolate chips and peanut butter together and melt in the microwave in 30 second increments, stirring in between each increment until it is melted and smooth.
- Add 1 cup of quinoa cereal to the melted chocolate and peanut butter, stirring to combine. Then, gradually mix in another 1/2 cup, followed by the final 1/2 cup. You can adjust the amount of cereal to your preference. (I used smaller puffed quinoa, but larger quinoa works too.)
- Using a cookie scoop or you can use a tablespoon, scoop the quinoa mixture onto the baking sheet until all the mixture is gone. You can gently flatten them or leave them more rounded if you like.
- Place baking sheet in the fridge for 15 minutes until set, then devour.
Storing Chocolate Peanut Butter Quinoa Protein Cookies
- Store firm cookies in airtight container for up to a week in the fridge.
- If you want to store these protein quinoa cookies in freezer, store in an airtight container or ziplock bag for up to 2 months. Thaw in fridge.
More Variations of Quinoa Crunch Bars
- Swap peanut butter for almond butter, cashew butter, tahini or sunflower seed butter for a nut-free option.
- Add dried fruit like cranberries, raisins, or chopped apricots for extra sweetness.
- Mix in seeds such as chia, flax, or hemp for an added nutritional boost.
- Top with a drizzle of melted dark chocolate or sprinkle with sea salt for a gourmet touch.
- Stir in crushed nuts or coconut flakes for extra crunch and texture.
- Love the idea of quinoa chocolate bars or a crunch bar option? Just take your chocolate quinoa mixture and place in a loaf pan or 8×8 pan and spread it out, depending on how thick you want your bars. Make some easy chocolate quinoa crunch bars, much like Nestle crunch bars instead of cookies and once they have firmed up, cut them into chocolate quinoa bars for a fun, healthy treat!
Ready, Set, Snack…Healthy Quinoa Crunch Bars!
Next time you’re craving something sweet, whip up a batch of these healthy quinoa crunch bars. With just three simple ingredients, you’ll have a delicious and nutritious treat ready in no time! They’re easy, tasty, and packed with plant-powered goodness, making them a snack you’ll feel great about eating.
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More Delicious Vegan Recipes!
Healthy Quinoa Crunch Bars
Ingredients
- 2 cups non-dairy semi-sweet chocolate chips or dark chocolate chips
- 1/4 cup peanut butter
- 2 cups puffed quinoa cereal small or large puffed
Instructions
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
- In a medium bowl, melt the chocolate chips and peanut butter together in the microwave in 30-second increments, stirring between each, until smooth.2 cups non-dairy semi-sweet chocolate chips, 1/4 cup peanut butter
- Add puffed quinoa cereal to the chocolate mixture, starting with 1 cup and gradually adding the rest until fully combined.2 cups puffed quinoa cereal
- Using a cookie scoop or tablespoon, portion the mixture onto the prepared baking sheet. Flatten slightly if desired.
- Chill the bars in the fridge for 15 minutes until set.
- Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week or freeze for up to 2 months.
Notes
- You can make puffed quinoa at home by heating uncooked quinoa in a dry pan over medium heat. Stir until it pops, about 1-2 minutes.
- Swap peanut butter with almond, cashew, or sunflower butter for a nut-free option.
- Add nuts, dried fruit, or coconut for extra texture.
- Puffed rice can replace puffed quinoa, but it has less protein.
- Perfect for meal prep and on-the-go snacks!
This looks delicious. Since I’ve always rinsed quinoa before cooking it, is there anything special you’d do for the toasted quinoa to pre clean?
Thanks so much! 😊 I’m so glad the recipe caught your eye. As for rinsing quinoa, you’re right! Normally, quinoa needs a good rinse to remove that bitter coating (called saponin), but for puffed quinoa, it’s a little different.
If you’re making your own puffed quinoa at home, here’s the trick: rinse it first, then spread it out to dry completely before popping it in the pan. You want the quinoa to be dry so it puffs up nicely and doesn’t get soggy when you heat it. Once it’s dry, toss it into a dry pan and toast away until it pops and turns crunchy!
Hope this helps! Can’t wait for you to try these bars. 😋 Let me know how they turn out!