Crispy Quinoa Chocolate Clusters

Do you love chocolate as much as I do? If so, you're going to love these crispy quinoa chocolate clusters! They are the perfect combination of sweet and crunchy, and they are so easy to make. Plus, they are a healthy snack option that is loaded with antioxidants. You are going to want to make these all the time!

I received chocolate from Divine Chocolate as part of #Choctoberfest. All opinions are my own.

These Crispy Quinoa & Cashew Chocolate Clusters are so delicious, you won't believe they are actually good for you! With quinoa, cashews, dark chocolate and a hint of cayenne, this is a healthy snack you can feel good about.

Do you feel guilty when you eat chocolate?

I’m not big on food guilt, but I will have to admit to occasionally feeling bad or indulgent when I have it.

Turns out, chocolate is really good for you.

Two recent meta-analyses - one published in the British Medical Journal (BMJ) and another in the Cochrane Database of Systemic Reviews - have confirmed that chocolate can fend off heart disease.

How about that for some good news?

According to the BMJ study, the flavanols found in chocolate are antioxidant, antihypertensive and anti-inflammatory. They also work to help prevent plaque buildup in the arteries and blood clot blockages and insulin sensitivity. The BMJ study found those who consumed the most cacao had a 37% reduction in cardiovascular disease. They also had a 31% reduction in diabetes and a 29% reduction in stroke as compared to those who ate the least.

Of course, the health benefits of chocolate depend on the quality of chocolate. Specifically, you want to focus on dark chocolate that has not been highly processed.

Today, I’ve got a great company to introduce you to - Divine Chocolate.

Divine Chocolate offers Fairtrade chocolate that is amazing. Mother Earth Living magazine recently named them among a handful of chocolate makers that offered quality chocolate with a high proportion of cacao. I always try to purchase Fairtrade products when I can, because I feel good about knowing that the producers are being given a fair price. This allows their communities to educate children, improve health care, protect their environment and secure their future.

Now that you know the good news, are you guys ready for some chocolate recipes as part of #chocktoberfest?

I love today’s recipe, in which I’ve perfected a very simple method to pop quinoa that doesn’t rely on a popcorn popper as I’ve used in the past. The result is crispy quinoa that gives these clusters a light crunch.

More Chocolate Recipes to Try

• Crockpot Peanut Clusters
• Chocolate Hazelnut Waffles
• Gluten Free Chocolate Pie

Print Recipe

5 from 4 votes

Crispy Quinoa Chocolate Clusters

These Crispy Quinoa Chocolate Clusters are so delicious, you won't believe they are actually good for you! With quinoa, cashews, dark chocolate and a hint of cayenne, this is a healthy snack you can feel good about.

Prep Time10 minutes mins

Cook Time30 minutes mins

Total Time40 minutes mins

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: Quinoa

Servings: 6

Calories: 236kcal

Author: Wendy Polisi

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoons coconut oil
• ½ cup quinoa rinsed
• ½ cup salted cashews chopped
• 1 teaspoon sea salt
• ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper optional
• 3 ½ ounces Dark Chocolate Bar

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

• Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
• Heat a skillet to medium heat. Add coconut oil and allow to melt. Add quinoa and cook, stirring often, for about 5 to 8 minute, until the seeds are golden brown. Transfer to a medium bowl and add in cashews, sea salt and cayenne pepper.
• Place the chocolate in the top of a double broiler. (You can also use a metal bowl over a pot of boiling water) Heat until melted, stirring often to prevent burning. Be careful not to get any water into the chocolate!
• When the chocolate is melted, add it to quinoa and pistachio mixture and stir well until combined. Drop by spoonfuls into prepared parchment paper. Place in the refrigerator for 15-20 minutes, until hardened.

Notes

This recipe is gluten free.

Nutrition

Calories: 236kcal | Carbohydrates: 20g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Sodium: 393mg | Potassium: 262mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 15IU | Calcium: 24mg | Iron: 3.3mg