Quinoa Protein Power Bars

Hello there friends! My name is Melissa and I’m so delighted to be a guest on Wendy’s fabulous blog! As the author of HomemadeForFriends.com, I’m a professionally trained chef from New York City who loves to blog about original and thoughtful homemade food gifts that you can make for others.

In my constant quest to create new dishes, I think that the most rewarding kind of food gift is one that is both delicious and healthy. Not only do you get to create a moment of happiness for someone as they enjoy your treat, but you’re also giving them something with long-term nutritional benefits. It’s really a win-win! So of course, one of my all-time favorite ingredients to work with is quinoa. Protein and nutrient rich, it’s a great way to get energized, which is why it inspired me to develop a recipe for Homemade Protein Power Bars.

Unlike traditional protein bars made from processed powders and sugar, this recipe calls for a superfood A-team of quinoa, chia, flax, and almonds to add about 10 g of protein per bar. In addition, these delicious dairy/gluten-free bars also pack heart-healthy complex carbohydrates, omega-3s, fiber and other essential vitamins and minerals. The end result? You’ll feel full longer and have more energy thanks to the super hero cast of ingredients. A yummy and healthy source of energy, this would be great to make for someone who is constantly on the go, herds cats at work, is training for a sport, or all of the above.

Wendy, thank you so much for inviting me to share this recipe with all of your amazing readers. I do hope everyone will be inspired to make someone’s day with this food gift! For more homemade food gift ideas and recipes, be sure to stop by for a visit at HomemadeForFriends.com. You can also find me on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram.

Happy gifting, 
Melissa

PS: It’s OK to make these as a gift for yourself too. I do it all the time as well, shhh!!! ☺

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Quinoa Protein Power Bars

Author Wendy Polisi

Ingredients

• 1/2 c. quinoa raw
• 1/2 c. chia seeds
• 1/4 c. flax seeds
• 1/4 c. shredded coconut sweetened
• 1 c. rolled oats / old fashioned oatmeal*
• 1/2 c. almonds chopped
• 1/2 c. dried blueberries
• 2/3 c. peanut butter
• 2/3 c. maple syrup
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 1 tsp. cinnamon
• 1 tsp. cardamom
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 F / 177 C. Line the interior of a 9 x 9 x 2-inch (23 x 23 x 5 cm) baking pan with plastic wrap.
2. Combine the quinoa, chia, flax, coconut, oatmeal and almonds on a sheet tray and bake for 5-10 minutes until lightly browned.
3. Meanwhile, in a large pot, mix the peanut butter and maple syrup together and bring to a boil. Remove from heat and stir in the salt, cinnamon, cardamom, and vanilla extract.
4. Add the toasted ingredients and dried blueberries, and stir until evenly coated.
5. Pour the mixture into the prepared baking pan and pack it down to ensure it fills into each corner and creates an even, flat surface on top. Allow to cool and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to set.
6. Once set, gently remove the hardened mixture from the pan by lifting by the plastic wrap, and cut into twelve 1.5 x 4.5-inch (3.8 x 11.4 cm) bars.

Recipe Notes

Gifting Idea:
Create your own wrapper for each bar by covering them in a small sheet of parchment paper secured with a twine bow. Not only is this a beautiful way to present them, it is also practical as one can easily grab one on the go for a nutritious energy boost. While best when consumed fresh, these bars should last for up to 4 weeks if stored in an air-tight container and kept in a cool, dry place.
Servings 12, Calories 248, Fat 13.4g, Carbohydrates 27.6g, Protein 8.3g, Cholesterol 0mg, Sodium 120mg, Potassium 291mg, Fiber 5.8g, Sugars 12.8g, WW Pts 7

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QUICK BIO:

Melissa is the author of the HomemadeForFriends.com, which is a blog about original and thoughtful homemade food gifts that you can make for others. A professionally trained chef in New York City, Melissa loves inventing new recipes, crafting pretty packaging, and surprising others with homemade treats. For more great ideas on homemade food gifts, visit her website at HomemadeForFriends.com. You can also find her on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram.

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