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These chocolate date quinoa bites are a fun combination of two recipes; chocolate date bites, and chocolate quinoa crisps. What you get is a chewy and crispy candy bar-like texture made from Medjool dates, puffed quinoa, and dark chocolate. This nutritious treat can become your go to healthy snack or even serve as a healthy chocolate dessert.
Table of Contents
- Why you’ll love this recipe
- Health Benefits of Dates and Quinoa
- Ingredients
- Variations, Adaptations, and Substitutions
- How to make Chocolate Date Quinoa Bites
- Rachel’s Tips for the best result
- Serving Suggestions
- Storage Instructions
- Recipe FAQs
- More no-bake chocolate recipes you’ll love:
- Chocolate Date Quinoa Bites (Easy No-Bake Treat) Recipe
Why you’ll love this recipe
- Nutrient Dense: Dates, quinoa, and even dark chocolate all contribute loads of fiber and antioxidants to these chocolate quinoa date bites.
- Chewy Date Base: The dates in these bites turn a plain chocolate quinoa crisp into a chewy date bite that has a caramel-like texture similar to a candy bar.
- Crunchy Quinoa Top: The crispy puffed quinoa provides the perfect contrast to the chewy dates and hardened chocolate for a completely satisfying texture.
- Naturally Sweet: There is no sugar added to these healthy chocolate date snacks since they are naturally sweetened by the dates.
- No Bake: These are a healthy, no-bake snack or dessert that are ready to eat after just a 30 minute freeze time to help them firm up.
- Completely Satisfying Energy Boost: They taste like a bite of dessert but are packed with nutrients to keep you fueled and energetic!
- Just 4 Ingredients!: There are only 4 ingredients you need for these healthy date snacks, Medjool dates, chocolate, puffed quinoa, and coconut oil. There is no baking, no food processor, and no real work needed!
- Healthy, Vegan, Gluten Free, Dairy Free!
Do you love chocolate as much as I do? Then check out some of our other healthy date energy bites like Healthy Apple Pie Energy Bars, Cranberry and Date Energy Balls, or Caramel Date Energy Bites
Health Benefits of Dates and Quinoa
Dates are rich in nutrients, fiber, and potassium, offering a healthier, less processed alternative to refined sugar-filled commercially produced candies.
Puffed quinoa provides the same nutrition as regular quinoa. It is full of fiber, protein, and antioxidants that help keep you full and healthy. Plus it is gluten free.
Together with the dark chocolate, these date-quinoa rounds turn into a satisfyingly healthy sweet treat.
Ingredients
The ingredients that make this Chocolate Date Quinoa Bites recipe perfect for a quick afternoon snack or healthy dessert bite are the following 4 ingredients:
- 12 medjool dates, pitted
- 1-1/2 cups puffed quinoa
- 1 cup dark chocolate, melted
- 2 tsps unrefined organic coconut oil
Dark chocolate tip: Look for a higher percentage of cacao for the chocolate, and always read the ingredients. A high-quality dark chocolate bar works great! I’ll often find a beautiful organic dark chocolate bar on sale, then chop it up to use for things like this. Or use any dark chocolate chips of your choice: the higher cacao percentage = extra
See the recipe card for full information on all ingredients and instructions.health benefits.
Variations, Adaptations, and Substitutions
- Add some nuttiness by adding a nut butter or seed butter layer under the chocolate quinoa layer.
- Sprinkle the top with a bit of flaked salt.
- Add chopped nuts, flaxseed, or chia seeds for some extra crunch.
- Instead of making cookie shaped rounds using a muffin tin, you can make these into bars by pressing them into a baking dish and then cutting them into bars.
- Try adding a dash of cinnamon for added health benefits and different flavor.
- If you want to make these high protein, add some protein powder.
- Top with unsweetened flaked coconut!
How to make Chocolate Date Quinoa Bites
Step 1. Place each date into one of the cups of a 12 muffin tray. Press with the bottom of a cup to create the base as shown in the video.
Step 2. Melt your chocolate together with the coconut oil in the microwave on High, in 30 seconds increments, stirring after each increment. Alternatively, you can use a double boiler over the stove.
Step 3. In a medium bowl, add your puffed quinoa with melted chocolate. Stir well to combine and coat all the little puffs.
Step 4. Add a spoonful of your chocolate-covered quinoa puffs over the smashed dates until it’s all distributed equally between all, then pat them down nice and level.
Step 5. Freeze for 30 minutes. Remove from the muffin tray and enjoy!
Love, Rachel
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Rachel’s Tips for the best result
- Look for a higher percentage of cacao (70% or higher) for the chocolate, and always read the ingredients.
- Buy your chocolate when it’s on sale!
- Use a small glass or spoon to press the medjool dates into the bottom of the muffin tin (see video) when making these chocolate quinoa bites.
- Be sure to use the freezer and not the refrigerator to set these treats so they don’t get soggy!
- Make sure you get puffed quinoa that is crispy and crunchy, not soft!
Looking for another healthy chocolate energy snacks you can take on the go? Try one of these easy recipes, Chocolate Energy Bombs, Chocolate Energy Brownie Balls, or Nut Butter Chocolate Chip Energy Balls.
Serving Suggestions
Whether you are looking to use these as an easy grab-and-go snack or a healthy and fun dessert, these chewy and crunchy quinoa bites go great with so many of our nutritious whole food meal ideas. Here are some of our most popular healthy recipes:
Storage Instructions
Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks or in the freezer for up to 3 months. Wrap them tightly with plastic to prevent freezer burn.
Recipe FAQs
Could I use puffed amaranth or millet instead of puffed quinoa?
Yes, you can substitute puffed amaranth or puffed millet.
Can I make these without coconut oil?
Yes you can leave out the coconut oil if you wish. The coconut oil helps the chocolate become silkier, shinier, and smoother when melted.
Can I use regular quinoa instead of puffed quinoa?
No. You’ll need to use puffed quinoa for these treats. You can make your own puffed quinoa from regular quinoa though. There are many easy recipes online.
Where can I buy puffed quinoa?
Many grocers and health food stores carry puffed quinoa, sometimes in the cereal aisle. You can also find an excellent brand on Amazon here: https://amzn.to/4rvmw3J
More no-bake chocolate recipes you’ll love:
Chocolate Date Quinoa Bites (Easy No-Bake Treat)
Ingredients
- 12 medjool dates, pitted
- 1-1/2 cups puffed quinoa
- 1 cup dark chocolate, melted
- 2 tsps unrefined organic coconut oil
Instructions
- Place each date into one of the cups of a 12 muffin tray. Press with the bottom of a cup to create the base as shown in the video.
- Melt your chocolate together with the coconut oil in the microwave on High, in 30 seconds increments, stirring after each increment. Alternatively, you can use a double boiler over the stove.
- In a medium bowl, add your puffed quinoa with melted chocolate. Stir well to combine and coat all the little puffs.
- Add a spoonful of your chocolate-covered quinoa puffs over the smashed dates until it’s all distributed equally between all, then pat them down nice and level.
- Freeze for 30 minutes.
- Remove from the muffin tray and enjoy!
- Refrigerate or freeze in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks.
Video
Notes
- Look for a higher percentage of cacao (70% or higher) for the chocolate, and always read the ingredients.
- Buy your chocolate when it’s on sale!
- Use a small glass or spoon to press the medjool dates into the bottom of the muffin tin (see video) when making these chocolate quinoa bites.
- Be sure to use the freezer and not the refrigerator to set these treats so they don’t get soggy!
- Make sure you get puffed quinoa that is crispy and crunchy, not soft!
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
