Chocolate Quinoa Crunch Bites (Printable Version)

Crunchy no-bake chocolate quinoa bites with oats and coconut, ready in just 25 minutes and naturally gluten-free.

# What You'll Need:

→ Base

01 - 1 cup puffed quinoa
02 - 1 cup rolled oats (gluten-free if desired)
03 - 1/2 cup unsweetened shredded coconut

→ Chocolate Mixture

04 - 1 cup dark chocolate chips or chopped dark chocolate
05 - 1/4 cup natural peanut butter or almond butter
06 - 2 tablespoons coconut oil
07 - 2 tablespoons maple syrup

→ Optional Add-ins

08 - 1/4 cup chopped nuts (almonds, pecans, or cashews)
09 - 2 tablespoons dried cranberries or raisins
10 - Pinch of sea salt

# Directions:

01 - Line a mini muffin tin or baking sheet with parchment paper.
02 - In a large bowl, combine the puffed quinoa, rolled oats, and shredded coconut. Add optional chopped nuts or dried fruit if using.
03 - In a medium heatproof bowl, melt the dark chocolate, peanut butter, coconut oil, and maple syrup together using a microwave or double boiler. Heat until smooth, stirring every 30 seconds if microwaving.
04 - Pour the chocolate mixture over the quinoa mixture and mix until everything is thoroughly coated.
05 - Scoop rounded tablespoons of the mixture into the prepared muffin tin or onto the baking sheet. Press gently to form compact bites. Sprinkle with sea salt if desired.
06 - Refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or until firm.
07 - Remove from the tin or peel off parchment paper. Store in an airtight container in the fridge.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • No oven required, which means you can make these even on the hottest summer day without breaking a sweat.
  • The texture is everything, a satisfying snap of chocolate giving way to a chewy, crunchy interior that surprises people every time.
  • They look fancy enough to serve at a gathering but take almost zero effort to pull off.
02 -
  • If your kitchen is warm, the chocolate coating can soften quickly, so work fast once the wet and dry mixtures are combined.
  • Using a cookie scoop instead of a regular spoon gives you uniform bites that set evenly and look much more polished.
03 -
  • Do not skip the coconut oil because it is the secret to that clean, satisfying snap when you bite into them.
  • Let the shaped bites chill undisturbed for the full hour, as rushing this step is the number one reason they fall apart.

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