{"id":11394,"date":"2010-09-30T12:43:41","date_gmt":"2010-09-30T16:43:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nomeatathlete.com\/?p=11394"},"modified":"2021-02-11T14:27:03","modified_gmt":"2021-02-11T19:27:03","slug":"quinoa-protein-energy-bars","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nomeatathlete.com\/quinoa-protein-energy-bars\/","title":{"rendered":"The Chocolate Quinoa Protein Bars that Cured My Pop-Tart Addiction"},"content":{"rendered":"

My name is Christine, and I have a Pop-Tart problem.<\/p>\n

Ever since I discovered these accidentally-vegan goodies in the vending machine at law school, I can’t seem to get my dollar in the slot fast enough.  That wouldn’t be a big deal every once in awhile, but the vending machine seems to call out my name every time I’m heading to the gym.  My banana just looks so blah<\/em> next to the shimmering strawberry-frosty goodness!  And yes—by “goodness,” I’m mean 10% strawberries, 90% flavored corn syrup.<\/p>\n

\"ChocolateBesides packing extra coins for the vending machine, I’ve also started carrying around ibuprofen.  It worked for Matt during his 50-miler<\/a>, and I count on it for my killer 3:00 headache.  But you know when these headaches started?  Right about the time I started a daily 40-grams of sugar ritual with these damn Pop-Tarts.<\/p>\n

I knew I had to break this sugar-rush-crash-medicate cycle, and vowed to make a batch of my Homemade Energy Bars<\/a> to satisfy that starchy-sweet craving.<\/p>\n

Lo and behold, for maybe the first time in NMA-kitchen history, the pantry was out of beans.  Not a legume in sight.  But, times of crisis have a knack of spurring creativity—with a deep pantry rummage I pulled together ingredients for some awesome quinoa energy-protein bars.<\/p>\n

With over 7 grams of vegan protein<\/a> per bar (more if you use nuts!) and about a third of the sugar in Pop-Tarts (from energizing dates and agave nectar instead of corn syrup), the case of the addictive pop-tarts is officially closed.   Enjoy!<\/p>\n

Chocolate Quinoa Protein Energy Bars<\/h2>\n
\n
    \n
  • 3\/4 cup dry quinoa, or about 2 cups cooked<\/li>\n
  • 1\/2 cup dates, pitted<\/li>\n
  • 3 tablespoons agave nectar<\/li>\n
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil<\/li>\n
  • 2 tablespoons ground flaxseed<\/li>\n
  • 1\/2 teaspoon almond extract<\/li>\n
  • 1\/4 teaspoon salt<\/li>\n
  • 1\/2 cup protein powder (I used an unsweetened hemp-based version)<\/li>\n
  • 1\/2 cup whole wheat flour<\/li>\n
  • 1\/2 cup stir-ins like dry fruit, nuts, shredded coconut, or vegan chocolate chips. (I went for half chocolate chips and half coconut)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Spray a 8×8 baking dish lightly with baking spray.<\/p>\n

    Rinse the dry quinoa in cold water, then let sit in a bowl of water for 10 minutes.  In the meantime, bring 1 cup of water to boil.  Drain the quinoa and add to the boiling water.  Cover, and reduce heat to simmer for about 12 minutes.  Let cool enough to handle.<\/p>\n

    In the bowl of a food processor, combine the cooked quinoa, dates, agave nectar, vegetable oil, flaxseed, almond extract, and salt.  Process until relatively smooth (the quinoa is so small it stays slightly lumpy).<\/p>\n

    In a small bowl, stir together the protein powder, flour, and stir-ins.  Fold this dry mixture into wet mixture with a spatula.  The dough is very thick, like cookie dough, so use the spatula to press into prepared pan evenly.<\/p>\n

    Bake for about 22-25 minutes, until firm.  Let cool, then slice into a dozen bars.  Store in an airtight container for up to a week, or freeze for up to 3 months.<\/p>\n

    Nutrition facts (with chocolate chip and coconut option): Calories: 184, Total Fat: 5.4 g, Saturated Fat: 3 g, Cholesterol: 0 g, Sodium: 37 mg,  Potassium: 113 mg, Total Carbs: 29 g, Fiber: 3 g, : Sugars: 16 g, Protein: 7.3 g.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    My name is Christine, and I have a Pop-Tart problem. Ever since I discovered these accidentally-vegan goodies in the vending machine at law school, I can’t seem to get my dollar in the slot fast enough.  That wouldn’t be a big deal every once in awhile, but the vending machine seems to call out my […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":12,"featured_media":44803,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"wprm-recipe-roundup-name":"","wprm-recipe-roundup-description":"","_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[82],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-11394","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-vegetarian-meals","8":"entry"},"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nThe Chocolate Quinoa Protein Bars 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