Crunchy High-Protein Quinoa Bites

These Crunchy High-Protein Quinoa Bites are our new snack-time favorite. Made with fiber-packed puffed quinoa and vitamin E-rich creamy almond butter, they’re the perfect combination of light and satisfying while also providing plant-based protein. Toss in some shredded coconut, dried fruit or chopped nuts if you’re feeling creative—these bites are endlessly customizable. Read on for our best tips and tricks for making these tasty bites part of your snack time.

Tips from the EatingWell Test Kitchen

These are the key tips we learned while developing and testing this recipe in our Test Kitchen to make sure it works, tastes great and is good for you too! 

• The quinoa mixture is sticky, so try to avoid using your hands when scooping. Scooping up the quinoa mixture with a tablespoon and then sliding it onto the baking sheet with another spoon works best.
• To avoid burning your chocolate, melt it gently in the microwave using short intervals—stirring well between each round to keep it smooth and glossy. No microwave? No problem! Use the double-boiler method on the stove: place a heatproof bowl over a pot of gently simmering water to melt the chocolate slowly and evenly.
• You can substitute semisweet chocolate if you prefer. 

Nutrition Notes

• Puffed quinoa has all the nutritional benefits of quinoa, but with a light, airy texture. Quinoa provides protein to this recipe and also contains plenty of fiber to help support digestion. The healthy grain-like seed contains flavonoids and polyphenols, two antioxidants that may reduce inflammation in the body. 
• Almond butter offers protein, vitamin E and heart-healthy unsaturated fats. Vitamin E is an antioxidant that protects our cells from damage, while the unsaturated fats work to support heart health. Almond butter is also fairly high in gut-healthy fiber, with 2 tablespoons of almond butter providing 4 grams of fiber.