In a food processor or blender, combine dates and almond butter. Blend together until you have a thick chunky paste consistency. About 2 minutes.
Then scrap the date and almond butter into a large bowl. Now add the puffed quinoa, hemp seeds, chia seeds, shaved almonds, cinnamon, salt, and vanilla into the bowl. Mix everything together until all ingredients are moist and sticky.
Line a 6x8" baking dish with parchment paper or tin foil. Allow some overhang on the sides.
Then scoop out the mixture into the baking dish. Press the almond, date, quinoa mixture into the pan firmly. Pressing into the corners and making sure there are little to no air pockets. Press into a flat even layer. You can use your hands or a heavy spatula to press the ingredients.
Now melt your chocolate. You can do this in the microwave or on the stove. In the microwave: place the chocolate chips in a microwave-safe dish and cook for 3 minutes, stopping and stirring every 20-30 seconds. Or you can melt the chocolate over the stove...I prefer this method. Bring a small pot with 2 cups of water to a bowl. Then place a glass bowl on top of the bowling water, resting on the top of the pot but not in the water. Pour the chocolate chips into the glass bowl and stir the chips with a spatula until the chocolate chips have melted. This will take about 2 minutes.
Immediately pour the melted chocolate overtop of your pressed mixture in the pan. Using a spatula spread the melted chocolate evenly over top.
Then sprinkle your chopped pistachios and a few pinches of salt on top of the chocolate
Place your dish into the fridge for 25 minutes or longer to allow the chocolate to cool.
Grab the sides of the tin foil or parchment paper and pop the entire bar out of the dish. Place on a cutting board and cut into 12, 2x2" bars.
Macro Nutrition
Nutrition Facts
Puffed Quinoa Date Bars
Amount Per Serving (1 bar)
Calories 293Calories from Fat 156
% Daily Value*
Fat 17.3g27%
Saturated Fat 1.8g11%
Trans Fat 0g
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.5g
Monounsaturated Fat 1.4g
Cholesterol 0mg0%
Sodium 47.3mg2%
Potassium 113.7mg3%
Carbohydrates 29.5g10%
Fiber 2.5g10%
Sugar 14.6g16%
Protein 7.1g14%
Vitamin A 0IU0%
Vitamin C 0mg0%
Calcium 2.5mg0%
Iron 113.7mg632%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.