Quinoa Protein Bars: Vegan and Gluten Free

Quinoa Protein Bars: Vegan and Gluten Free; made without added sugars

Ingredients:

• 2 cups cooked quinoa (we used red)*
• 5 dates, pitted, and soaked in hot water until softened
• 2 tbsp ground flaxseed
• ½ tsp almond extract
• 1/8 tsp salt
• ½ cup protein powder (use your favorite brand, we used Trader Joe’s Hemp protein)
• ½ cup almond flour
• ¼ cup reduced fat, unsweetened, shredded coconut
• ¼ cup vegan chocolate chips

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Spray an 8×8 baking dish lightly with baking spray or use parchment paper to line (we did this, and then lifted it out easily).
3. If you don't have left over quinoa, you should begin prepping this the night before. We like to soak ours for 4-8 hours (can go longer). Rinse it, then bring 2 cups of water and 1 cup of quinoa to a boil. If you'd like to make a larger quantity it's a 2:1 ratio (2 parts water, to 1 part quinoa). Cover, and reduce heat to simmer until water is absorbed, about 15 minutes. Let cool enough to handle.
4. Using a food processor, combine all ingredients except chocolate chips.
5. Fold in chips. The dough is very thick, like cookie dough, so use the spatula to press into pan
6. Bake for about 25 minutes until knife inserted comes out clean, set to touch. Let cool and remove from pan. Cut into 16 squares.

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