No-Bake Quinoa Protein Bars (Vegan, Gluten-free)

No-bake quinoa protein bars are a reliable alternative to store-bought bars. They are vegan, gluten-free, date-sweetened, and straightforward to make, too.

Based on the response to myDate-Sweetened Zee Barspost on Monday, it’s clear that I am but one of many interested in wholesome, naturally sweetened treats that simultaneously deliver a power boost.

So here’s another.

The original idea for these bars stemmed from leftover, cooked quinoa. You may be imagining a cup or two in a zip-top baggie, or perhaps a modest piece of tupperware. If only that were the case.

When I was at the height of recipe development for my quinoa book–500 Reliable Quinoa Recipes–I had heaps of quinoa, cooked, soaked, sprouted, toasted, and ground in a hodge podge of containers that soon overwhelmed our refrigerator. And freezer. It could have been a special edition ofHoarding: Buried Alive.In quinoa.

It was when I turned to our wine refrigerator for storing the excess that Kevin put his foot down.

It’s a good thing, too, because it forced me to devise some additional quick & straightforward quinoa recipes, pronto. Kevin is as big a fan of kitchen-made energy and power bars as I am, so these quinoa power bars were a natural outcome.

Recipe Benefits

• Vegan (egg-free, dairy-free)
• Gluten-free
• Oil-free
• No baking required
• Packed with whole grains (oats and quinoa)
• No refined sugars (except from the chocolate chips)
• High in protein (7 grams per bars)
• High in fiber (4.5 grams per bar)

Ingredients

The exact amounts of each ingredient are indicated in the recipe card at the end of the post.Toggle betweenUS Customary(volume) andMetric(weights) for preferred measurement option.

• pitted dates
• unsweetened natural nut or seed butter (e.g., peanut butter, sunflower seed butter, almond butter)
• salt
• vanilla extract
• old-fashioned or quick-cooking rolled oats (certified gluten-free, as needed)
• cooked, cooled quinoa (see note below)
• chopped toasted walnuts (or the nuts or seeds of your choice)
• semisweet chocolate chips (certified gluten-free and dairy-free, as needed)

How to Prepare the Quinoa

In case you do not have a heap of cooked or otherwise leftover quinoa on hand, here is how to prepare the amount needed for this recipe.

In a small saucepan, combine 1/3 cup quinoa (rinsed) and 1/2 cup water. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to low, cover and simmer for 10 minutes or until water is almost absorbed. Remove from heat and let stand, covered, for 10 minutes. Transfer to a bowl, fluff with a fork, and cool completely.

Step by Step Instructions

• Line an 8-inch (20 cm) square baking pan with foil.
• In food processor, pulse the dates until finely chopped. Add nut butter, salt and vanilla; process until blended.
• Add the oats, cooled quinoa, and walnuts; pulse until mixture forms a dough.
• Add the chocolate chips; pulse 1 or 2 times to just combine.
• Press mixture into prepared pan (use a large piece of wax paper or plastic wrap to smooth and spread the mixture flat).
• Refrigerate for at least 1 hour. Using foil liner, lift mixture from pan and transfer to a cutting board. Peel off foil and cut into 12 bars.

FAQ

• How should I store the bars? Individually wrap the bars and store in an airtight container for up to 1 week in the refrigerator OR the freezer for up to 1 month (thaw at room temperature).
• What is the texture of the no-bake quinoa protein bars?The texture of these bars is in the neighborhood of Larabars and Clifbars and they are gently sweet.
• Are the bars a good source of protein?Yes. Because quinoa is a is one of the only plant sources with all of the essential amino acids, the bars offer a good boost of protein as well as fiber; you can supplement the protein in the bars further by adding a scoop of your go-to all-natural plant-based (vegan) protein powder.
• Can I omit or replace the chocolate chips and walnuts?Yes! You can omit either or both, or swap them out for the seeds, nuts, and/or chopped dried fruits you prefer. For example, I also love the combination of roasted sunflower seed kernels, sunflower seed butter, and raisins.

If I eat half of a bar before I teach my evening spinning class, I feel like I have superwoman powers (even if I have been dragging through the afternoon). I haven’t asked Kevin if they make him feel like superwoman, too, but he does like them a lot :).

I’m feeling inspired by date-sweetened treats, so look for more to come!

1. Vegan Chocolate Avocado Pudding {no cook, straightforward}
2. 4-Ingredient Chocolate Quinoa Muffins {Vegan, Oil-Fee, GF}
3. Chocolate Chip Banana Quinoa Muffins {vegan, GF, flourless}
4. 3-Ingredient Grain-Free Granola Bars {Vegan, Keto Option}
5. Chocolate Coconut Protein Bars {5 ingredients, Vegan}
6. 3-Ingredient Keto Protein Bars {vegan, straightforward}