Do you get that mid-afternoon slump that makes you want to raid the cookie jar? Personally, I ideally start the day with a savory or moderately sweet and protein-rich breakfast. It’s super satisfying and keeps me going for a long time while avoiding the glucose spikes that make you want to snack later. But if that craving does strike despite everything, I designed these little wonders precisely for that.
Forget those processed bars packed with preservatives and strange ingredients. Today, I’m offering you a simple, crunchy, incredibly delicious recipe that you can adapt to whatever you have in your pantry. It’s the secret to healthy and intuitive eating.
Good for you Snack
The combination of healthy fats from peanut butter and complex carbohydrates allows for a steady release of energy, keeping you fueled throughout the afternoon. Puffed quinoa is a fantastic ancient grain that provides essential amino acids and fiber, ensuring a nutritious snack.
Customize your snack according to your goals!
The beauty of healthy cooking is that it’s not set in stone. You can adapt this recipe to your specific nutritional needs at the moment and, above all, to what you have in your pantry.
Sports Nutrition… More Protein
For the athlete in you or for your increased need for protein, add 40g of plant protein powder or whey to the warm mixture, with 2 tablespoons of water to keep it binding.
Gut Nutrition… Moore Fiber
To improve your digestion, add a tablespoon of ground chia or flax seeds. Not only will this boost fiber for optimal bowel movements, but it will also add valuable omega-3 fatty acids.
Low Lipid Nutrition… Less Fat
To maintain your figure, replace some of the regular peanut butter with powdered (defatted) peanut butter rehydrated with a little water. This way you reduce calories while preserving the delicious peanut flavor.
If you try this recipe, share your variations in the comments! Do you prefer the original version, the high-protein option for sports, or the low-GI version?
Quinoa Pop Choco-Peanut Bars
For 12 servings (each serving will contain approximately 119 calories, 3.5g of protein, and 1.1g of fiber), you will need…
- 125 g pure peanut butter (no palm oil or added sugar)
- 65 g honey (raw and local if possible)
- 60 g maple syrup
- 1 pinch of salt
- 75 g (about 2 cups) of puffed quinoa
- 40 g dark chocolate chips (minimum 70% de cacao)
—
- In a small saucepan over low heat, gently melt the peanut butter with the honey and maple syrup until smooth.
- Remove from heat, add a pinch of salt and let it cool for two minutes.
- Incorporate the puffed quinoa and mix well to coat everything.
- Pack the quinoa mixture firmly into a baking pan lined with parchment paper.
- Melt the dark chocolate chips in a double boiler and pour over the quinoa mixture.
- Refrigerate for at least 1 hour or until the chocolate hardens.
- Store in an airtight container in the fridge to keep the quinoa nice and crunchy!
In Health,
Chantal