Healthy sweet snacks: chocolate quinoa squares

Looking to make healthier choices when snacking but still want to enjoy a sweet treat? This recipe makes a great afternoon pick-me-up or dessert.

Makes: 16 squares
Prep time: 15 minutes (plus 2 hours refrigeration)
Cook time: 30 minutes

Ingredients:

• 3 cups (555g) cooked quinoa (1½ cups, or 192g, uncooked quinoa)
• 2½ cups (200g) rolled oats
• ¼ cup (28g) ground flaxseed
• ¼ cup (16g) unsalted, shelled pumpkin seeds, ground in a spice or coffee grinder
• ½ teaspoon Himalayan pink salt
• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ¼ cup (20g) unsweetened desiccated coconut
• ⅔ cup (160ml) almond milk
• 4 tablespoons (80g) raw honey
• ¾ cup (195g) nut butter of choice
• 1 tablespoon (14g) coconut oil
• 1 bar (100g) high-quality dark chocolate (75% cacao or higher)

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a 23 x 23cm pan with parchment paper.
2. Combine the quinoa, oats, flaxseed, ground pumpkin seeds, pink salt, cinnamon, coconut, and almond milk in a large bowl.
3. Add the honey, nut butter, and coconut oil to a microwave-safe bowl and microwave in 20-second increments until you can stir and combine them. Add to the bowl with the dry ingredients and stir to combine. Press into the prepared pan.
4. Bake 30 to 35 minutes, until the edges are browned. Remove from the oven and let cool for 15 minutes.
5. To melt the chocolate, break or cut the chocolate into equal-size small pieces. Place it in a clear, microwave-safe glass bowl so you can see it as it melts. Heat for 1 minute. Remove from the microwave and stir (the chocolate will look shiny). Continue to heat in 20-second increments, stirring at each interval, until the chocolate is smooth. Use an offset spatula to spread a layer of melted chocolate onto the cooled quinoa bars.
6. Place the pan in the refrigerator for 2 hours or in the freezer for 30 minutes to set and firm the chocolate. Cut into 16 squares.
7. Place the squares into containers. Store in the refrigerator for up to 6 days or freeze for up to 3 months.

Prep tip

To freeze these quinoa squares, place a square of parchment or wax paper in between each square and store in a freezer-safe container. Or individually wrap each square in aluminium foil and store in a freezer bag.

Images and text from The Visual Guide to Easy Meal Prep by Erin Romeo, photography by Alison Bickel Photography. Race Point Publishing RRP $29.99.