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    Home » Breakfast

    Quinoa Almond Date Protein Balls

    Published: Dec 1, 2018 · Modified: May 26, 2022 by Archana · This post may contain affiliate links · As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases · 72 Comments

    1391 shares
    Jump to Recipe

    Here is my easy, 5-ingredients, no-bake quinoa almond date protein balls recipe using wholesome ingredients that are perfect for a dessert, breakfast, or snack.

    quinoa protein balls in paper cup liners

    Note: The original recipe posted in Dec 2016 has been updated with detailed step-by-step photos and a recipe video.

    Jump to:
    • Ingredients
    • How to make Quinoa Truffles
    • Tips and Substitutions
    • Storing
    • More Quinoa Recipes
    • Recipe

    In addition to using whole ingredients, these homemade truffles are naturally sweetened for a perfect protein-packed snack, breakfast on the go, or a healthy treat! The texture of these protein balls is so satisfying, almost like eating brownies but without the added fats and sugars.

    quinoa almonds date energy bites stacked on a cake stand

    Ingredients

    1. Quinoa - Gluten-free, high in protein and antioxidants and has all the essential amino acids
    2. Almonds - Helps prevent heart diseases, supports healthy brain function, helps control blood sugar, helps fight cancer and inflammation
    3. Dates - Promotes heart, brain, and digestive health and are anti-Inflammatory
    4. Peanut butter - Packed with antioxidants, heart-healthy monounsaturated fat
    5. Dark Chocolate - Provides energy, fat, minerals, and antioxidants to help maintain overall health
    Ingredients for Quinoa Almond Date protein balls

    Convinced yet to make these... like right NOW? With all the nutrition packed in them, quinoa-almond-date truffles are possibly the easiest thing to make and enjoy. These delicious truffles also make for a perfect homemade holiday gift for your neighbors, friends, and family.

    quinoa truffles in a silver tray

    How to make Quinoa Truffles

    Here is my easy step by step recipe:

    • Rinse quinoa thoroughly 2-3 times. Drain the water and add ⅓ cup of water and quinoa to a stainless steel bowl. Add 1 cup of water to the Instant Pot insert. Place the quinoa bowl on the trivet and place the trivet in the Instant Pot. Close the lid and pressure cook for 4 minutes followed by a 10-minute natural pressure release. Note: To make quinoa on Stovetop - Add ⅓ cup of quinoa, ⅔ cup of water in a small saucepan and bring to boil over medium-high heat. Lower the heat and cook covered for 10 mins.
    2 photos showing Quinoa being rinsed and the quinoa conatiner being placed in the Instant Pot
    • Add almonds, dates, peanut butter, chocolate chips, and cooked quinoa in a food processor. Blend together for 2-3 minutes or until all the ingredients are well-blended.
    4 photos showing ingredients for quinoa energy bites being processed in a food processor
    • Scoop out the mixture one tablespoon at a time and roll into round truffles. Then roll them in finely chopped almonds.
    2 Photos showing quinoa protein balls being rolled and coated in chopped almonds
    • Chill in the refrigerator until ready to be served.
    quinoa almond date energy bites in a white plate.

    Tips and Substitutions

    • Use any nut butter in place of peanut butter
    • Seed butter such as the Sacha Inchi butter or sunflower seed butter can be used instead of nut butter
    • Dark Chocolate chips can be replaced with 1 to 2 tablespoons of cocoa powder
    • White organic quinoa works best with this recipe. Check out my Instant Pot Quinoa recipe to make ahead the quinoa as a meal prep
    • If using the bigger Medjool dates, add only 8 or 9 pitted dates

    Storing

    These truffles stay good at room temperature for a day and can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to a week.

    More Quinoa Recipes

    Here are some more quinoa recipes to try

    • Quinoa Salad
    • Instant Quinoa Dosa
    • Quinoa Idli
    • Enchilada Quinoa

    ★ Have you tried this recipe? We love your feedback, Please click on the stars in the recipe card below to rate.

    Recipe

    Tried this recipe? We love your feedback.Please click on the stars in the recipe card below
    quinoa almonds date truffles stacked on a cake stand
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Saved!
    4.57 from 41 votes

    Quinoa almond date Protein Balls

    Healthy snack and dessert with quinoa, almond and dates. 
    Prep Time15 mins
    Cook Time15 mins
    Total Time30 mins
    Course: Dessert, Snack
    Cuisine: American
    Servings: 12
    Calories: 154kcal
    Author: Archana Mundhe

    Equipment

    • Food Processor

    Ingredients

    • ⅓ cup quinoa
    • ½ cup whole almonds
    • ¼ cup finely chopped almonds
    • 16 pitted dates
    • 3 tablespoon peanut butter or any nut butter
    • ½ cup dark chocolate chips

    Instructions

    • Rinse quinoa thoroughly 2-3 times. Drain the water. 
    • To cook quinoa in the Instant Pot - Add ⅓ cup of water and quinoa to a stainless steel bowl. Add 1 cup of water to the Instant Pot insert. Place the quinoa bowl on the trivet and place the trivet in the Instant Pot. Close the lid and pressure cook for 4 minutes followed by a 10-minute natural pressure release. Open the Instant Pot and allow it to cool for 10 minutes.
      To cook quinoa on the stovetop:  Add quinoa,  ⅔ cup of water to a small saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Lower the heat and cook quinoa covered for 10 mins. Allow it to cool for 10 minutes.
    • In a food processor add whole almonds, dates, peanut butter, chocolate chips, and cooked quinoa. Process together for 2-3 minutes or until all the ingredients are well-incorporated.
    • Scoop out the mixture one tablespoon at a time and roll into round truffles. Then roll them in finely chopped almonds. Chill in the refrigerator until ready to be served.
    • These protein balls stay good at room temperature for a day and can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to a week.

    Video

    Notes

    Tips:
    • Any nut butter can be used in place of peanut butter
    • You can also use seed butter such as the Sacha Inchi butter or sunflower seed butter instead of nut butter
    • Dark Chocolate chips can be replaced with 1 to 2 tablespoons of cocoa powder
    • White organic quinoa works best with this recipe
    • If using the bigger Medjool dates, add only 8 or 9 pitted 
    Blender Instructions: This recipe is best made in a food processor, but if you are trying to make it in a blender, here are some tips. Start by first pulsing the almonds a few times until they are coarsely chopped. Add the dates and pulse until they are finely chopped and mixed in. Then add quinoa and pulse a few times until the quinoa starts to blend in. Scrape the sides on the blender with a silicone spatula and then add peanut butter and chocolate chips. Blend together for a minute, mixing in with a spatula if needed, and then roll the balls. 

    Nutrition

    Calories: 154kcal | Carbohydrates: 16g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Sodium: 26mg | Potassium: 219mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 9g | Calcium: 52mg | Iron: 0.8mg
    Tried this recipe?Share your photo and tag @ministry_of_curry or tag #ministryofcurry

    ♥ We LOVE to hear from you! Did you try this recipe? Please share your food photo with hashtag #ministryofcurry on Facebook or Instagram, so we can see it and our followers can enjoy it too! Thank you and Happy Cooking ♥ Subscribe to our Youtube Channel for tasty and easy video recipes. Looking for more Instant Pot recipes? Check out our delicious Instant Pot Recipe board on Pinterest.


    Author: Archana

    Hey there! I am a techie turned recipe developer, cooking instructor, and food blogger. I love food and enjoy developing easy and healthy recipes for busy lifestyles. I live in New Jersey with my husband and two sons.
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    1. Lopa Parekh says

      April 14, 2020 at 4:56 pm

      Hi.
      I made this today but it has turned out to be very gooey, am unable to roll them in ball.
      How do I rectify this ?

      Reply
      • Archana says

        April 15, 2020 at 11:36 am

        Keep in the fridge. It will thicken up. You an also dry roast oats, grind and add them if it's still too soft. Did you change the original recipe or proportions/substitutions?

        Reply
    2. Lisa says

      May 06, 2020 at 9:44 pm

      Awesome! Do you taste Quinoa in the truffles?

      Reply
      • Archana says

        May 08, 2020 at 5:00 pm

        You do not! That is the beauty of these truffles.

        Reply
    3. Vibha says

      June 26, 2020 at 9:29 pm

      Can we use cocoa powder instead of chocolate chips?

      Reply
      • Archana says

        June 26, 2020 at 11:10 pm

        yes you can 🙂

        Reply
    4. La says

      June 26, 2020 at 10:20 pm

      Hi-I can’t use chocolate chips. Can I skip it? Do I need to adjust anything else?
      Thx. Great recipes-have tried a few from here!

      Reply
      • Archana says

        June 26, 2020 at 11:10 pm

        yes you can skip chocolate chips

        Reply
    5. Vania says

      June 27, 2020 at 12:27 am

      Can we skip chocolate chips? What can be substituted instead?

      Reply
      • Archana says

        June 27, 2020 at 12:29 pm

        yes you can skip chocolate chips or add cocoa powder instead.

        Reply
        • Divya says

          September 28, 2020 at 3:32 pm

          Which dark choco chip brand or coaco will be good?

          Reply
          • Archana says

            September 28, 2020 at 4:08 pm

            Ghirardelli, Nestle, Hershey any brand words.

            Reply
    6. Sasi Koneru says

      October 17, 2020 at 11:33 pm

      Too good.5 stars

      Reply
    7. Tina says

      December 10, 2020 at 7:45 pm

      Can you use a vitamix blender for this if you do not have a food processor?

      Reply
      • Archana says

        December 13, 2020 at 10:06 pm

        yes! Make sure to add few ingredients at a time, process them partially first and then process them all together.

        Reply
    8. Nikky Patel says

      February 23, 2021 at 9:02 pm

      This is a brilliant recipe. Totally recommended . Easy to make and healthy. I made them and they were gone instantaneously.5 stars

      Reply
    9. Nikita says

      April 21, 2022 at 8:29 pm

      This turned out great! Perfect measurements!5 stars

      Reply
      • Archana says

        April 23, 2022 at 5:36 pm

        Thank you Nikita!

        Reply
    10. Shaila says

      May 27, 2022 at 4:56 pm

      Awesome easy recipe … super healthy … thanks so much Archana5 stars

      Reply
      • Archana says

        May 29, 2022 at 8:33 pm

        You are most welcome Shaila!

        Reply
    11. Shaila says

      May 27, 2022 at 4:58 pm

      Awesome super healthy and easy recipe … enjoying the end product delish …
      Thanks Archana for the tips when using blender …5 stars

      Reply
      • Archana says

        May 29, 2022 at 8:33 pm

        Thank you!

        Reply
    12. Tehmina Adnan says

      May 30, 2022 at 1:02 am

      Can I use rolled oats in place of quinoa?

      Reply
      • Archana says

        May 31, 2022 at 9:08 am

        yes!

        Reply
    13. Eva says

      August 19, 2022 at 5:23 pm

      Curious .... I dont have dates on hand but I do have dried prunes. Do you think this recipe might work with prunes?

      Reply
      • Archana says

        August 25, 2022 at 4:11 pm

        Yes!

        Reply
    « Older Comments

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    Hi, I'm Archana: a former software engineer, now a full-time blogger. I am a mother of two boys who share my love for food and cooking. Words I love to hear are, “Mom, what’s for dinner?” The same words I say to my mom every time we speak. I live in the greater New York City Area with my husband and sons.

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