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Have you heard of puffed quinoa? I recently discovered it and nearly leaped 5 feet in the air from excitement. I ordered them and had to make these puffed quinoa protein balls right away! I've haven't been able to find puffed quinoa at any store for purchase so I just bought it on amazon. It comes in a 1.5lbs bag which has about 20 cups of puffed quinoa. You can even make puffed quinoa at home but I haven't tried that yet. Puffed quinoa isn't crunchy but more on the softer side. It's a great healthy addition to any muffin, cake, waffle, or snack recipe. #1 even likes eating it as cereal with almond milk. Never realized that it could be that easy to get kids to eat quinoa.
I've always kept my distance a bit when it came to making no-bake bites or protein ball recipes. I was also slightly turned off by recipes with dates. However, afterexperimenting with it, I realized how easy they are and that the possibilities are endless. Even though I still wouldn't eat dates by themselves, or any dried fruit for that matter, I find that these protein-balls don't actually taste "date-like". I also didn't use Medjool dates that are often used since A- I couldn't find them right away and B- they are sometimes just far too sweet. So I just used your regular typical dates you can find at any store.
So these are super simple and all you have to do is place everything in a food processor and pulse . Adding protein powder too adds an even bigger protein punch making these perfect after or before your workout. Good thing they only take about 5 minutes to make since I've been crazy busy lately. I haven't even had time to get redo my nails (see picture below!!). I kept these in the fridge and #1 kept coming back to them asking if he could have another. He thought they were some chocolate candy balls. Fine by me! Hubbs thought they looked like balls of poop...I see the resemblance but that's definitely not what they taste like :D
5 from 1 vote
Puffed Quinoa Protein Balls
Makes 14 protein balls
CourseGluten free, Vegan
Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Author Vanessa @VeganFamilyRecipes.com
Ingredients
- 8datespitted
- 2teaspoonsCocoa Powder
- 4teaspoonsMaple Syrup
- 6tablespoonsPuffed Quinoa
- 4teaspoonsunsweetened Protein Powder
Instructions
Place all ingredients in a food processor. Pulse until they are well combined.
Roll into teaspoon sized balls or use a cookie scoop.
Can be eaten right away or chilled in the refrigerator for 30 minutes first.
I personally prefer these puffed quinoa protein ball refrigerated and as small teaspoon-size balls that I can pop into my mouth as a quick protein boost! They will even stay fresh in the fridge for 4 days or frozen in the freezer for longer.
Having trouble finding some of the ingredients? Here are the ones I used:
More High Protein Vegan Recipes
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Reader Interactions
Comments
Shelley @ Two Healthy Kitchens says
How great are these?!?! I absolutely love protein balls (energy bites ... snack bites ... and all the rest!), and you probably have already figured out from all the quinoa recipes on our site that I loooooove quinoa - BUT - I have to admit that I've never tried puffed quinoa! Why???? Now that I know I can just nab some on Amazon, I have absolutely no excuse anymore! Thanks for the great tip and the wonderful recipe! :D
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Vanessa says
Thanks Shelley! Puffed quinoa is definitely something you need to try out. It's so easy to add to so many different recipes without having to actually cook the quinoa yourself first. Maybe puffed quinoa would be another great topic for twohealthykitchens? :D
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Kristi Rimkus says
I've never seen puffed quinoa. I can't wait to give it a try. Thanks for the tip and the recipe!
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rob wunder says
Yum!
My three boys and I made the Puffed Quinoa Protein Balls and your peanut butter balls, too. Delicious, fun, sticky, and there was a job for everyone!
thank you!
robReply
Vanessa says
Thanks Rob, I'm so glad you and your boys liked these :) Make protein balls is one of favorite things to do with my two as well. So much fun!
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Vicky says
Wow! these look delicious!!! I finally tried no-bake bites recently and was not a fan. They taste like a ball of flour. But I haven't given up and see that these don't include any flour!! I'm definitely gonna give these a try!
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