Healthy Quinoa Bars

This recipe is healthy enough to be a breakfast bar or snack on days when you don’t have enough time to eat a sit-down meal.

1/2 cup      almond or hazelnut butter

1/2 cup      brown rice syrup

1 tsp          pure vanilla extract

1/4 cup      finely chopped dried cherries or other unsweetened dried fruit

1/4 cup      ground chia seed

1/2 cup      hemp hearts

3 cups       puffed quinoa

2 tsp         cinnamon

1/4 tsp      grey sea or pink rock salt

For optional mint flavour:

1 tsp         mint extract

1/2 tsp      spirulina powder (adds colour and is a superfood addition)

Mix nut butter, brown rice syrup and vanilla liquid ingredients in a large bowl. 

Add dry ingredients and mix well with a wooden spoon. It will take some time so be patient and keep mixing.

Pack 1/2 inch (1 cm) deep in an 9 × 13 inch (23 × 33 cm) pan lined with unbleached parchment paper. Place in the fridge for 30 minutes to set.

Cut into bars and package in airtight container to maintain freshness.

Makes 24 bars.

Enjoy!

Nutrition Down Low ~ The cinnamon and seeds nicely balance the higher glycemic index of the rice syrup and quinoa. You can stick with the classic vanilla flavour or make them with a snap of mint!

Recipe from Julie Daniluk ~ Meals that Heal Inflammation