With the amount of quinoa I have in this house, it just makes sense to create sweet treats using this ingredient. The idea for quinoa granola bars came about last night as I was looking in the refrigerator for some kind of dessert and noticed a large container of leftover quinoa from Monday’ night’s dinner. I thought about oats and how quinoa was a sort of similar grain, and decided granola bars may be the way to go.
Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Quinoa Granola Bars
Makes 10-12 servings.
Ingredients
1 2/3 cups cooked quinoa
1/3 cup pecans
1/3 cup chocolate chips
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 tablespoon honey
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1 egg
Pinch of cinnamon
1/3 cup peanut butter
Directions
Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
Place quinoa in a large mixing bowl.
Add in pecans and chocolate chips.
In a small bowl, mix together brown sugar, honey, vanilla, and egg.
Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients, and mix.
Add in a pinch of cinnamon.
Add in peanut butter and mix again.
Spread into baking pan or baking sheet. My pan was a little too small, I would recommend a larger rectangle shape if available.
Bake for 15 minutes.
As hard as it is to wait, I would refrigerate overnight. I waited about 25 minutes to cut into the bars, but they were still a little too runny.
However, they were perfectly enjoyed just as much being eaten with a fork! 
Questions:
What is your favorite type of granola bar?
Have you ever tried quinoa as a sweet treat or dessert? If so, any favorite recipes?
What a great idea! These look awesome:)
Thanks girl!
I never would have thought to make something like this, but these look great! I’ve been seeing so many bloggers incorporate quinoa in so many different types of recipes… so versatile!
I know! I think that grains in general are so versatile, like when people make savory oats.. I would have never thought that would work!
These look awesome my fiancé doesn’t like quinoa but maybe he’d eat these. Any ideas on what to use instead of PB?
Hmm.. to be honest, the peanut butter was more added for a binder than even the taste. I would say maybe add an extra egg and use all honey instead of brown sugar to try and get the bars to stick together!
I didnt have a granola bar in a long time, I have a period when I was eating them everyday, and I just got sick of them, now I snack on fruits, or granola and yogurt or almond milk, I can have a bar once a week, no more at this moment
I totally understand this, it happens to me with foods all the time! I find my favorite meal of the moment and chow down for weeks, then I move on lol!
These look delicious! I’m definitely going to give them a try!
Yay! You should
Let me know how it goes if you do!
pb, chocolate, quinoa? BRILLIANT!
It’s hard to mess up PB & Chocolate anything!
I’ve been wanting to try Quest Granola Bars, they are pretty clean for store bought bars! I’ve never had quinoa as a dessert, but I too have a TON of that stuff right now- maybe this weekend Ill get creative in the kitchen!
Hmm I have never heard of Quest Granola Bars, I need to check them out! I am planning on leaving my bars in the refrigerator all week and having a serving for dessert every night
Even my husband thought they were pretty good!
Those look delicious! I love it when granola bars had peanut butter and chocolate in them
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Yes me too! Peanut butter and chocolate always makes everything so yummy!
YUM! the title instantly drew me in… PB + chocolate combo is my FAVORITE! i haven’t experimented much with quinoa. i need to try it out!
PB & Chocolate is definitely one of my all time favorite combinations too!
I am tempted to send you some of my quinoa, ha ha! 4 lbs will take me a year to use! lol
Most creative granola bar ever!!!
Thanks Paige!
Mmm I love this! I need to get Quinoa when I make it to Costco next!
Yes you do! It is such a versatile ingredient!
Great idea! I have some quinoa sitting in my pantry right now and may have to try this!
I have to try this. You can control the amount of sugar and keep a more healthy balance at the same time. Great idea.
I am bringing you some to try
Wow what a fantastic bar recipe! I love that you are using quinoa here, brilliant! I will definitely be trying these.. they would be perfect for a to-go snack