So, I’m just going to say it. I think I might be a genius. A modest one, obviously.
The evidence:
I was looking around in the pantry the other night and noticed I had two boxes of unopened, unloved Quinoa sitting in there.
I had just eaten the last of my Baked Apple Cinnamon Oat Bars, so I decided it was time to get creative and bake myself a new snack!
Cranberry Quinoa Peanut Butter Power Bars
Not only are these tasty, they are healthy! Quinoa, masquerading as a grain but actually a seed, is a complete protein, and it’s high in magnesium, fiber, and antioxidants. Combined with the healthy fat from the peanut butter and the vitamin E, zinc, selenium, copper, iron, and fiber in the oats, these make for a great power breakfast or afternoon snack. Yum!
Ingredients:
- 2 C cooked quinoa
- 2 C raw oats
- 1/2 C dried cranberries
- 1/2 C smooth peanut butter (or nut butter of choice)
- 1/2 C skim milk (or non-dairy substitute)
- 1/3 C brown rice syrup
- 1/4 C ground flaxseed
- 1 tsp cinnamon
Instructions:
You’ll need to either have some leftover cooked quinoa on hand, or cook some up before you start this recipe. Two cups cooked quinoa is equal to roughly 1/2 cup uncooked, so prepare that amount according to the instructions on the box. Be sure to let the quinoa cool a bit afterwards.
Preheat your oven to 350.
Toss all the ingredients in a bowl together and stir until everything is well mixed. Use some muscle!! 🙂
Scoop it all into a baking pan — I used my 7 x 11 pan, but you can use whatever size you have.
Pop it in the oven and bake about 12-15 minutes. ENJOY!!
Cranberry Quinoa Peanut Butter Power Bars
These peanut buttery quinoa bars are studded with tart and sweet dried cranberries for a lightly sweet, energizing snack!
Ingredients:
- 2 C cooked quinoa
- 2 C raw oats
- 1/2 C dried cranberries
- 1/2 C smooth peanut butter (or nut butter of choice)
- 1/2 C skim milk (or non-dairy substitute)
- 1/3 C brown rice syrup
- 1/4 C ground flaxseed
- 1 tsp cinnamon
Instructions:
- You’ll need to either have some leftover cooked quinoa on hand, or cook some up before you start this recipe. Two cups cooked quinoa is equal to roughly 1/2 cup uncooked, so prepare that amount according to the instructions on the box. Be sure to let the quinoa cool a bit afterwards.
- Preheat your oven to 350.
- Toss all the ingredients in a bowl together and stir until everything is well mixed. Use some muscle!! 🙂
- Scoop it all into a baking pan — I used my 7×11 pan, but you can use whatever size you have.
- Pop it in the oven and bake about 12-15 minutes. ENJOY!!
Once you’ve tasted them 😉 and they’ve cooled a bit, I’d recommend storing the bars in the fridge covered in tin foil — it will help them to harden and stick together better. You can even cut them into bar-sized snacks and store them separately for easy grabbing and going!
TGIF! It’s rainy and cold here in DC, but the tree outside my bedroom window is looking quite lovely and fall-esque:
Plus, I went in to the office this morning, so instead of working at home in sweatpants, I got to put on a cute work outfit 🙂 I don’t miss sitting in an office all day, but I do sometimes miss getting to dress up cute! Isn’t the day just better when you like your outfit?
Have a great weekend everyone!
