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
For immediate help troubleshooting a recipe, please email me using the form on my contact page. I’ll try to respond to urgent questions as quickly as possible! For all general questions, please leave a comment here :)
Reem says
I know how sometime we associate certain ingredients with health and less guilty when the case can be reversed sometime…
What ever the case may be here these look Damn Delicious and just a perfect snack for me now!
Laura says
You know what I find just as frustrating as those unsolicited comments? The idea that everything we put into our mouths has to be 100% healthy unless it is specifically dessert. I mean these bars have plenty of stuff in them that is good for you. They also have some stuff that is not. And you know what? No one can agree on which ingredients those are anyway. I say ignore ’em and enjoy! They look quite yummy!
Grubarazzi says
Well, I can certainly relate to this post. I also saw on Facebook that someone commented immediately on this picture (which is wonderful, fyi) that this looks like a healthy breakfast. lol. It’s a delicious and different breakfast, for sure, but some foods immediately make people think they are healthy, like oats and quinoa.
Ruthy says
Such a great idea! I love baking with quinoa, these sound awesome. Almost even better that they’re NOT healthy- I find that when I have a tray full of some healthy treat, I justify it by eating every single treat. And I don’t think that’s especially healthy :)
Yay for another successful Leftovers Club month!
Jennifer says
I love your disclaimer! I get the same grief too when I post something that isn’t natural. For me, my claim is a little bit healthier, and I love your claim. Your bars in general are not bad for you! You use natural ingredients, no chemicals and the best part they look tasty! I love this recipe, and I think I may give this a try!! Thank you for sharing!
Jessica says
These energy bars look like a great way to switch up my post-run snacks!
Jenn and Seth says
i love this idea for quinoa – definitely need to make some of these soon!
Belinda says
My bag of quinoa is ready to go! I nutty flavour it gives, I actually prefer it over the normal white kinds.One of the rare healthy recipes that actually will taste good. Thank you for sharing
kelly says
It’s interesting; I just read a piece on ‘gluten-free foods that can make you just as fat as flour,’ aimed at folks who were using GF eating as a trend. The article berated each of the baked goods for being unhealthy even though most never did (only one–with 33g of fat–claimed to be ‘completely healthy,’ which was laughable). The baked goods were just simply delicious sinful options for people that wanted rich decadent desserts…. just like folks who are gluten tolerant want. Anyway, I’m sold with maple, almond butter & cinnamon :)
Chung-Ah says
I need a bunch of these bars for work – I’m constantly snacking on junk!
Laura Dembowski says
I bet the quinoa is awesome in these! While they may not be low cal, I would argue these are healthier than store bought ones as they don’t have preservatives or ingredients you can’t pronounce.
Kirsten@FarmFreshFeasts says
Jen,
I love how some people can come to a site called Savory Simple, note that you often have healthy recipes, and make a judgement call like that. To your face. How rude!
I don’t walk into other people’s houses and give them grief, I don’t understand why that is acceptable.
I’m not big on trends, as evidenced by 10 years of Christmas photos where my spouse and I are wearing the same 2-3 shirts, but it’s interesting to me to watch healthy food trends start, escalate, peak, and be debunked. Happens time and again.
That soapbox aside, your photos are gorgeous and the bars look tasty, which is all that I ask for in a bar.
Thanks!
Marta @ What should I eat for breakfast today says
hahaah, I like that you’re so honest. As long as it’s super delicious it does not have to be super healthy. I can make a small sin from time to time ;)
Valerie says
I’m actually glad that not everything made with granola is healthy (quinoa too!). Both ingredients should be able to bask in the decadence of butter – now and then… :D
These energy bars look scrumptious!
A Bowl Of Mush says
These look fabulous!! I have to try these!