Β Is it seriously Thursday!! I love a short week. I am a little excited for this weekend to get here, I am going to get Turbo Kick certified!! I may have to wrangle some of my friends to help me practice! π Who doesn’t want to burn some calories?! Pshaw!
Since we are trying to burn some calories how about trying to save some calories?! I am not a big fan of packaged bars since even the natural ones tend to have something I am trying to stay away from or can’t pronounce. I have also been really wanting to try a recipe with Quinoa. So when I found this recipeΒ on Pinterest I knew I had to try it.
Let me tell you these are A-MAZ-ING!!!! They really do taste like Almond Joys. I love that I know what I am putting into my body and with so few ingredients.
Ingredients:
1/3 cup (dry) quinoa ~ 2/3 cup water ~12 whole dates, no sugar added ~ 1/2 cup whole almonds with skins ~ 1/3 cup grated coconut (unsweetened) ~ 2 – 3 teaspoons water ~ 1/4 cup dark chocolate chips
Directions:Β
Add quinoa and water to a small sauce pan, cover and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer and cook approximately 15 minutes or until all water has been absorbed. Cool to room temperature and refrigerate at least 2 hours.
Using a food processor, add dates and pulse until they form a ball. Remove dates and place in a bowl. Add almonds to the food processor and pulse until finely minced. Be careful not to turn the almonds into mill. Add dates, almonds, coconut and quinoa to the food processor and pulse until ingredients are well combined.
Return ingredients to the mixing bowl, and add one teaspoon of water at a time, until mixture holds together. Shape into mini bars or balls. *NOTE: Do not add too much water or they won’t keep the shape of the bar or ball. (I may or may not have done that the first time I made these).
In a small saucepan, add chocolate chips and melt over low heat. (I nuked the chips in the microwave for 60-90 seconds, then stirred till smooth). Drizzle warm chocolate over the top of each bar or dunk ball into the chocolate. Refrigerator and allow chocolate to harden. Then try not to eat them all in one sitting!
Who is willing to try this recipe?
If you haven’t already, follow me on Pinterest here.
Now head on over to our two co-hosts Steph and Katie. Be sure to check out all the other pin inspired projects completed, because that is the fun part!
I have all the ingredients!! Totally making this this weekend!! Yay!
You will have to tell me what you think. I am having some for lunch! So yum!
oh yum! these look so tasty! and i’m sure they’re much healthier for you than the real thing. almond joys are a favorite of mine, so i’m sure i’ll be attempting this sometime in the near future!
They were very close to the real thing and so much healthier for you! Totally worth making them! Hope you like them!
Those sound amazing!! And pretty darn easy!
Thanks! They were so good and were quick to make. I totally had some for a snack today! π
I love that you used Quinoa. I am still a little iffy with coconut but otherwise these look awesome. π
Is it the texture of the coconut you are not sure of? Know that you can really grind them down in the food processor. It is really there to help bind the ingredients together.