Chocolate Quinoa Crunch Bites
14
Last updated on Jan 30, 2024
This post may include affiliate links. Thank you for your support.
These chocolate quinoa crunch bites are crispy, chocolatey and taste just like you’re eating a chocolate crunch bar! Plus, they’re no bake, vegan, super easy to whip up and require only 5 simple ingredients.
Baking cookies for Christmas is one my favorite holiday traditions. I know I’ve mentioned it before, but every year the ladies in my family get together for a holiday cookie bake. We bake all morning before our family holiday celebration and bring a bunch of treats to share with everyone.
There are a few cookie staples that we make year after year (like these almond crescent cookies) but we always try out a few new recipes as well. I like to make at least one healthier option so a few years ago I made healthy no bake cookies, one of my absolute favorite holiday cookies to date. This year I’m doing it again… but with these no bake crunchy quinoa bites!
Here’s What You Need
- puffed quinoa – you can find puffed quinoa in most grocery stores but should be in all health food stores. Puffed rice works as well but quinoa has a bit more protein!
- dark chocolate chips – I like using Lily’s chocolate chips because they are low in sugar and calories but any dark chocolate chips will work!
- coconut oil – make sure your coconut oil is in the liquid state. You can heat on the stovetop or microwave for a bit if needed.
- unsweetened cocoa powder – either cocoa powder or cacao powder works, just make sure you grab unsweetened!
- maple syrup or agave – you can use any liquid sweetener here but I recommend using maple syrup or agave for the best flavor!
Variations & Notes
Crispy rice cereal – if you can’t find puffed quinoa or just prefer to use rice cereal, that should work just fine!
Chocolate – feel free to use dark chocolate in place of chocolate chips if you’d like.
Cocoa powder – like I mentioned above, raw cacao powder works as well!
Sweetener – any liquid sweetener works. I recommend one of these natural sweetener if you want to swap.
How to Make Quinoa Crunch Bites
Start by melting the chocolate chips. You can either use a double boiler or melt the chocolate in the microwave. If you melt the chocolate in the microwave, heat in 30 second intervals, stirring between each interval. Make sure you don’t burn the chocolate!
Combine the melted chocolate, coconut oil, cocoa powder and maple syrup in a large bowl. Fold in the puffed quinoa. Use a medium cookie scoop to form the crisps into bite-sized balls and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Place them in the refrigerator for 20-30 minutes to let the chocolate set.
Melt the rest of the chocolate chips in a double boiler or in the microwave and dip each crisp into the melted chocolate to create a chocolate base. This will seal the crisp so it holds it shape better. Place back on the baking sheet and put them back in the fridge for at least an hour to harden.
How to Store Leftovers
Keep your quinoa crunch bites in the refrigerator until you’re ready to serve. You could also freeze them for longer storage if needed!
More Sweet Quinoa Recipes
- Strawberry Quinoa Parfait
- Fruity Quinoa Breakfast Bowl
- Gingersnap Cookies
- Quinoa Flour Pumpkin Bread
More Healthy Treats to Try
- 4-Ingredient Almond Coconut Cookies
- Granola Bites
- No Bake Energy Balls
- Healthy Cookie Dough Bites
- Chocolate Almond Crispy Bites
Be sure to check out all of my no bake dessert recipes and the full collection of dessert recipes here on EBF!
If you enjoyed this recipe, please consider leaving a ⭐ star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below.
Chocolate Quinoa Crunch Bites
Ingredients
- 2 ½ cups puffed quinoa
- 1 cup dark chocolate chips, divided
- ¼ cup melted coconut oil
- ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 ½ Tablespoons maple syrup or agave
Instructions
- Melt ½ cup chocolate in the microwave using 30 second intervals until melted. Stir in between each interval.
- In a bowl combine the melted chocolate, coconut oil, cocoa powder and maple syrup.
- Fold in the puffed quinoa.
- Use a medium cookie scoop to form the crisps into bite-size balls and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Place the crisp in the fridge for 20 -30 minutes to let the chocolate set.
- Melt the remaining ½ cup chocolate in the microwave in 30 second intervals, until melted. Stir in between each interval.
- Using your hands, dip each crisp into the melted chocolate to create a chocolate base and seal the crisp better. Place back on the baking sheet.
- Once you've added the base to all of the crisps, place the baking sheet back in the fridge for at least an hour to let the chocolate harden again.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
I have made these and taken them to various potlucks! So many people have raved about them as they can’t believe how good these are. I made sure to use unsweetened dark chocolate so the only sweetener was the maple syrup! The only reason I didn’t give this recipe 5 stars is the cookie starts to melt in your hand!
I’m glad these cookies have been a hit overall! They’re definitely delicate and can easily melt like you said with the chocolate. 🙂
Why do you have to add more sugar to the already sweetened chocolate chips? Can I omit the maple syrup?
Sure – Omitting the maple syrup should be just fine. Enjoy!
Hi Brittany,
These look so delicious.
I was wondering though can you please tell me normal quinoa you soak to make them more digestible, and I understand you just can’t soak quinoa flakes but are they as digestible as quinoa even though they are not soaked, and how would it be possible if this is the case.
Thank you
Hey Maroula! I haven’t experienced any issues with digesting quinoa flakes and there is no need to soak them! You can read more info about quinoa flakes here.
These sound wonderful!! Quinoa flakes are on my grocery list!
These cookies look great! I love desserts that aren’t too sweet this time of year, it’s the perfect balance to sugar everything!
I’ve never heard of quinoa flakes!! These look like a delicious power cookie – so want these for after a workout!
These are so adorably delicious! And easy!! I love the added protein that quinoa offers to desserts like these. Still have to try your quinoa gingersnaps!
This looks like a great recipe! I’m always searching for healthy recipes to share with my family.
i still have never tried quinoa flakes, I’m missing out big time! Im all for no bake goodies, these cookies look delish!
Yes!! You have to try them sometime soon. They’re awesome as a hot breakfast option and work great as a sub for oats in recipes too!
Yummy! These cookies look really good. And I love that they aren’t even that unhealthy! Other cookies usually contains so many more calories and they don’t really have any healthy ingredients in so these are perfect for a little healhtier option. Thanks for sharing 🙂