Healthy Peanut Butter Quinoa Crisp Bars that will remind you of rice krispies, but filled with chocolate and peanut butter!
I am literally THRILLED to share these with you guys because, truthfully they are one of the best things I have ever made on this blog. Hands down, no questions asked, these grown up rice krispie bars are not to be missed and you should probably do the next best thing and order that bag of puffed quinoa to get you started.
Puffed quinoa is something I came across on a few other blogger's Instagram accounts and I knew I wanted to order it as a fun addition for any potential baked goods. I saw Lindsay, from The Toasted Pinenut, making delicious little peanut butter balls with those crunchy little gems and I knew I needed to get my hands on them.
So what is puffed quinoa? It is quinoa that has been puffed, similar to puffed rice cereal, is totally gluten-free, crunchy and a little bit nutty. It can be added into bake + no-bake treats, in trail mix, in cereal, and really anywhere! You can order the puffed quinoa off of Amazon. You can also used puffed rice for this!
I got to thinking what creative baked good I could make first and I came up with the idea to make a peanut butter chocolate rice krispie with a chocolate shell. And of course it is made with peanut butter and chocolate because that is my favorite combination ever 🙂
These chocolate peanut butter rice krispie treats reminded me exactly of a rice krispie treat, except chocolate peanut butter and made with all healthy ingredients!
I hope you love these as much as I did! Sometimes I make my Coffee Protein Smoothie too for the perfect mid-day snack with the bars.
Healthy Chocolate Covered Quinoa Crisp Bars
Ingredients
Method
- In a food processor, blend rolled oats until very fine, flour consistency.
- Add in dates, peanut butter, and honey, and process until fully blended.
- Add in 1-2 tablespoon water as needed to get moving, scraping down sides as needed.
- Pour into bowl and add in quinoa. Stir till fully combined.
- Flatten into brownie pan or bread pan depending on desired thickness. Place in freezer for 15 min.
- In a saucepan, combine peanut butter filling ingredients over low heat.
- Spread evenly over quinoa base. Freeze for at least 30 min.
- Cover with melted chocolate and put back in freezer.
- Store in freezer.
Amy says
Made these for the first time. Very good! However mine are not crispy at all. Soft and chewy. Still very good! What did I do wrong?
How many dates equals half a cup? Maybe I added too many? 😄
Ruby says
Is there a way I could make the chocolate layer with cocoa powder?
Erin says
Hi Ruby, I have not tried that and cocoa powder isn't as sweet, but feel free to give it a try!
Asia says
I love this healthier snack and diet 😋
Erin says
Hi Asia, so happy you loved them so much!! 🙂
Jean Elizabeth Terry says
can you use dried prunes instead of dates?
Erin says
Hi Jean, I have not tried that sub, but feel free to try it and let me know how your bars come out!! 🙂
Kelly says
Perfect for pb chocolate lovers looking for a crunch! Like some others, I used rice krispies and added sea salt
Erin says
Hi Kelly, so glad you loved them and great subs!!
Gabi says
These are SPECTACULAR! Made them in my study abroad dorm so I had a few tweaks: no food processor so used instant oats instead of oat flour and mashed soaked dates with a fork until caramely and made my own puffed quinoa on the stove. Oh my goodness!!! They are a perfect snack after lunch with such great ingredients! I am so happy I tried them! Thank you Erin!!!!!
Erin says
Hi Gabi, so happy you loved them so much! 🙂
Lora B says
Just made and are in the freezer! I know they’ll be delicious! I see you said to store them in the freezer. Just wondering, even after they are cut and ready to eat? Thanks!!
Erin says
Hi Lora, yes you can still store them in the freezer after they're cut.
Jeanie says
Hi Erin, I just found your site today and look forward to making some of your yummy treats. Should I buy pitted dates? I am new to cooking with dates. I know nothing about them, including how big is the pit and if it matters in baking. Thanks!☺️
Erin says
Hi Jeanie, welcome!! Yes I'd recommend buying pitted ones to make your life easy!
Leah D says
I have made these bars several times and LOVE them. I sub puffed brown rice for the quinoa and add sea salt to the chocolate. Deeeeeee-lish.
Erin says
Hi Leah, so glad you loved them and great subs!!
Makayla says
Hi there, do you know how many calories there are in these quinoa bars? SO excited to make them!! Love the recipe!
Erin says
I haven't calculated calories for these, but you could put it all into an online calculator if you're interested! They are truly delicious!
Anastasia says
Hi there! Do you have a specific brand of puffed quinoa you like to use? I've searched around a few times online and in store for them before and have been unsuccessful in actually finding them. Ive seen ways to make it at home, but if I can buy it, I will 🙂 thanks!!
Erin says
Yes!! https://carringtonfarms.com/organic-crispy-puffed-quinoa-family-size/
It's a huge bag so definitely worth the cost!