These quinoa energy bars will help pick you up during that afternoon slump!
Disclaimer: These quinoa energy bars are not healthy. The word quinoa seems to imply health and nutrition so I want to make sure that’s clear up front.
Someone commented on one of my granola bar recipes recently that they were just as unhealthy as store bought bars. Which is totally valid, but the thing is that I never claimed they were healthy.
I’m pretty sure that comment wouldn’t have appeared on one of my cake recipes. It didn’t bother me, but I’m always intrigued by the fact that when some people see a recipe for granola bars they assume they’re going to be healthy.
This is simply not true. The same goes for agave nectar. I recently posted some information about agave on my Facebook page and several people immediately commented about how it’s not a healthy sweetener.
It was a similar situation; I was simply describing the difference between light and amber; there was no mention of using it as a healthy substitute.
It’s true that marketers jumped on agave nectar as this healthy alternative to sugar but that myth has been completely debunked. It was a marketing gimmick.
Agave nectar is not healthy. Homemade granola bars are not automatically healthy. So now that I’ve stated that up front, there should be no confusion!
These quinoa bars? They have refined sugar, maple syrup, brown rice syrup and butter. They’re totally delicious and not healthy.
I’ve included some substitution options on the recipe if you’d like to lighten them up. Butter can be swapped with coconut oil and the sugar can be reduced.
The bars won’t be as tasty but it will work. So what claims am I making? These bars are a great midday snack.
The quinoa, nuts and almond butter are filling and will help tide you over until dinner. The same ingredients will also offer a nice burst of energy. The sugar will also help give you that last push to get through the afternoon slump.
Quinoa Energy Bars
Ingredients
- 1 1/3 cups rolled oats
- 1/2 cup uncooked quinoa
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/3 cup quinoa flour
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 cup pitted dates, chopped finely
- 1 1/3 cup cashews, chopped finely
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
- 2 tablespoons brown rice syrup
- 1 tablespoon water
- 1/3 cup almond or peanut butter
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a 9x9 brownie pan with parchment paper and lightly grease with either butter or baking spray.
- In a large bowl, combine rolled oats, quinoa, sugar, quinoa flour, salt, cinnamon, dates and cashews.
- In a smaller bowl, combine vanilla extract, melted butter, maple syrup, brown rice syrup, water and almond butter.
- Mix the wet ingredients into the dry and combine evenly. Pour ingredients into the greased pan. Use plastic wrap to firmly press the mixture down evenly so that it's in the corners and flat on top.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes. Look for browning around the edges.
- Allow the bars to finish cooling completely before cutting. They're easiest to cut when chilled.
Notes
Please read my full post for additional recipe notes, tips, and serving suggestions!
Nutrition
Recipe Troubleshooting
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Colleen (Souffle Bombay) says
How interesting and different! A creative use of quinoa! Your photo is so crisp and perfect for a minute I thought that bar was actually in front of me (now I have to go and console myself, lol!)!! Gorgeous!
Colleen (Souffle Bombay) says
What a creative use of Quinoa Your photo is so crisp and clear that for a moment I thought it was actually in front of me begging for a bite! Now I have to go console myself, lol! Gorgeous!!
Marie says
Beautiful! Thanks for all the hard work you do for The Leftovers Club! This was the first month I got to participate, and it was so much fun!
Ginny McMeans says
This recipe sounds really good. I can almost imagine it’s taste. It is different enough to really peak my interest. Thanks.
Shanna says
I love your disclaimer!! hee hee.. Gorgeous photos – these look so good!!
Danielle says
I have some quinoa in the pantry that isn’t spoken for yet but I definitely think it is now! These look great, Jennifer!
Susan says
::::shakes my head:::: I don’t get people, despite your disclaimer I’d still make these and pretend they are healthy because it was made at home and not at a factory.
jeannie says
I agree with you, anything made at home from scratch is way better than chemical laden packaged supermarket foods. I will make these for my family.
Averie says
They’re totally delicious and not healthy. = GOOD!!!
If I wanted healthy, I would eat raw broccoli. If I want someting sweet and buttery crunchy and texture-loaded, I realize that it’s likely not as healthy for me as broccoli. :)
They’re gorgeous; the recipe and the photos. Pinned. And I love a good, dense, granola bar!
Anina says
How about sending some of those to sunny Johannesburg ; ) Gorgeous pics as always!! xxx
Mary Frances says
Saw Averie’s pin and had to check it out:) This is a creative way to use quinoa! And you know, I have myself partially convinced they are healthy – quinoa and oats people! What could be better? Oh yeah, butter and sugar is always good – and almost always for success;) These qualify as a great snack in my book. Thanks for the recipe!
Joanne says
It’s kind of funny how uptight people get about these things…and honestly, though these might be CALORICALLY the same as a brownie, they have way more healthy components so actually I would say these are HEALTHI-ER. :) Either way, they look delicious. And I love that quinoa crunch!
Sherri says
Beautiful photos! I am so jealous of the dark wood background. As to the disclaimer, everyone has to decide for themselves what is “healthy”. For a lot of people, a granola bar from the store is their healthy snack of the day. If we are making food from scratch, without additives or preservatives or artificial colors, then I say we are ahead of the game. Other than maybe being a bit high with the sweeteners, I see nothing unhealthy about this recipe! (on a side note, butter that is organic /grass fed is a healthy fat!!!).
Laura (Tutti Dolci) says
One of these bars would be perfect for my afternoon pick-me-up!
Carol says
I’ll be happy to accept all the leftovers…great bars, Jen! Such a unique use of quinoa!
Holly says
These bars sound really great! I’m sure they’re super delicious and sound perfect for a mid-day snack!