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.
Note: The original recipe posted in Dec 2016 has been updated with detailed step by step photos and recipe video.
In addition to using whole ingredients, they 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.
Ingredients
- Quinoa - Gluten-free, high in protein and antioxidants and has all the essential amino acids
- Almonds - Helps prevent heart diseases, supports healthy brain function, helps control blood sugar, helps fight cancer and inflammation
- Dates - Promotes heart, brain, and digestive health and are anti-Inflammatory
- Peanut butter - Packed with antioxidants, heart-healthy monounsaturated fat
- Dark Chocolate - Provides energy, fat, minerals, and antioxidants to help maintain overall health
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.
Process
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.
- 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.
- 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.
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
Storing
These truffles stay good at room temperature for a day and can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to a week.
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Quinoa almond date Protein Balls
Equipment
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
- 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
Nutrition
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Lopa Parekh says
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 ?
Archana says
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?
Lisa says
Awesome! Do you taste Quinoa in the truffles?
Archana says
You do not! That is the beauty of these truffles.
Vibha says
Can we use cocoa powder instead of chocolate chips?
Archana says
yes you can 🙂
La says
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!
Archana says
yes you can skip chocolate chips
Vania says
Can we skip chocolate chips? What can be substituted instead?
Archana says
yes you can skip chocolate chips or add cocoa powder instead.
Divya says
Which dark choco chip brand or coaco will be good?
Archana says
Ghirardelli, Nestle, Hershey any brand words.
Sasi Koneru says
Too good.
Tina says
Can you use a vitamix blender for this if you do not have a food processor?
Archana says
yes! Make sure to add few ingredients at a time, process them partially first and then process them all together.
Nikky Patel says
This is a brilliant recipe. Totally recommended . Easy to make and healthy. I made them and they were gone instantaneously.
Nikita says
This turned out great! Perfect measurements!
Archana says
Thank you Nikita!