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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

    1393 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!
    4.55 from 42 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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    Reader Interactions

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    1. cookandenjoyrecipes says

      December 15, 2016 at 10:23 pm

      Archana, I ❤️❤️ This. Thanks for sharing.

      Reply
      • Archana says

        December 15, 2016 at 10:34 pm

        Thank you Esme!

        Reply
    2. cookandenjoyrecipes says

      December 15, 2016 at 10:37 pm

      I have pinned it for later. ??

      Reply
      • Archana says

        December 15, 2016 at 10:40 pm

        Sounds good! You will love these.

        Reply
    3. Hilda says

      December 15, 2016 at 10:56 pm

      You've certainly convinced me to make them. I was looking for just such a recipe - I not only have all the ingredients handy, I even have some of those pretty little cups to put them in.

      Reply
      • Archana says

        December 15, 2016 at 10:57 pm

        Yay! I would love to hear how you like them. So easy to make.

        Reply
        • Hilda says

          March 13, 2017 at 8:42 pm

          It took me longer to get around to making them than I intended, but made up for it by doubling the recipe. They are indeed easy, and a special snack. I made a large batch so that I can share them and am now glad I did!

          Reply
          • Archana says

            March 13, 2017 at 9:35 pm

            Thank you Hilda! So glad you made these yummy treats, and so nice of you to make extra and share them.

            Reply
    4. Simply Splendid Food says

      December 16, 2016 at 12:02 am

      What a beautiful recipe with the quinoa. Chocolate and peanut butter go so well together! ?

      Reply
      • Archana says

        December 16, 2016 at 9:55 am

        Thank you! It is simple but like you said all the ingredients go well together perfectly in these healthy and delicious truffles.

        Reply
    5. Cattie's World says

      December 16, 2016 at 5:14 am

      Looks like a large gooey chocolate mass...............Yummy !! Guess it would stick to your teeth ?

      Reply
      • Archana says

        December 16, 2016 at 10:00 am

        Thank you Cattie! They do not really stick, but like you said moist and chocolatey.

        Reply
    6. Rashmi Gopal Rao says

      December 16, 2016 at 5:58 am

      Very nice; I must try Archana!

      Reply
      • Archana says

        December 16, 2016 at 10:03 am

        Thank you Rasmi! You will love these, very easy to make for the healthy and delicious taste.

        Reply
    7. Freda @ Aromatic essence says

      December 16, 2016 at 6:53 pm

      Love the addition of quinoa to these energy balls !! They look yum!

      Reply
      • Archana says

        December 17, 2016 at 1:44 pm

        Thank you Freda! And so simple to make for the delicious results.

        Reply
    8. Apsara says

      December 17, 2016 at 8:15 am

      I have never used cooked quinoa in truffles. This looks like an excellent idea. I'm sure it tastes delicious too!

      Reply
      • Archana says

        December 17, 2016 at 1:46 pm

        Thank you Apsara! These are super yummy and the quinoa goes so well with this dish and you can barely tell.

        Reply
    9. annika says

      December 18, 2016 at 11:47 am

      I always sneak quinoa into all sorts of things and no one ever notices! These look divine!

      Reply
      • Archana says

        December 18, 2016 at 9:32 pm

        Thank you Annika! These truffles taste as divine as they look.

        Reply
    10. Sandhya says

      December 19, 2016 at 10:28 am

      Love the addition of quinoa in this yummy recipe Archana!

      Reply
      • Archana says

        December 19, 2016 at 11:11 am

        Thank you Sandhya! Quinoa does make them moist and healthy.

        Reply
    11. cookandenjoyrecipes says

      December 21, 2016 at 10:39 pm

      Archana, sorry to trouble you, just checking in to see if you have had the opportunity to reblog the December Share and Inspire Others post: https://cookandenjoyrecipes.wordpress.com/2016/12/13/december-2016-entries-share-and-inspire-others/ I cannot recall seeing this on your blog as yet. Thanks

      Reply
      • Archana says

        December 22, 2016 at 4:07 pm

        Sorry for the delay. I just reblogged this.

        Reply
    12. Smiling Notes says

      January 02, 2017 at 12:44 pm

      They look so healthy and delicious! Love them.

      Reply
      • Archana says

        January 02, 2017 at 1:42 pm

        Thank you!! They are delicious and very easy to make.

        Reply
    13. Katharina Beam says

      April 22, 2018 at 9:58 pm

      I made these this weekend and they were delicious! a great snack or treat without feeling guilty of eating something unhealthy. totally hit the spot! thanks for sharing!!!

      Reply
    14. Divya says

      February 14, 2019 at 12:45 am

      Any other substitute you suggest for nut butter?

      Reply
      • Archana says

        February 15, 2019 at 10:05 pm

        Sunflower seed butter works well

        Reply
    15. Ami Patel says

      April 08, 2019 at 7:56 am

      Hi Archana,
      I am going make these for my father and send to him. He lives half way across the country and was wondering if I breezed the truffles would they still be good if I overnighted the package? Also, is there a particular brand of chocolate chips and peanut butter you use? I love your site.
      All the best,
      Ami Patel

      Reply
      • Archana says

        April 08, 2019 at 8:58 pm

        Hi Ami, Any brand chocolate chips will work. I buy Trader Joe;s peanut butter but honestly any will work. And yes overnight with frozen truffles will work. I can;t wait to see how your Dad likes them 🙂

        Reply
        • Ruchika says

          April 30, 2019 at 5:46 pm

          I love-love-love this recipe (and all the other ones on this website). I have been making something similar for my daughter but I use almond or oat flour as a base instead of cooked quinoa (so it can be stored at room temperature). However, almond flour is too calorie-dense for me and oat flour makes these too dry. Cooked quinoa sounds like such a perfect solution to my problem. Can’t wait to try!5 stars

          Reply
          • Archana says

            May 01, 2019 at 4:50 am

            You are welcome! My children love these for breakfast, snack and dessert

            Reply
    16. Janice Quick says

      April 13, 2019 at 7:36 pm

      I don't have an pressure cooker (yet). But I saw this recipe and had to try it. Oh, wow! They are so good! I have reduced my refined sugar drastically so these are perfect for me. I used almond butter due to a peanut allergy in my family. I can't wait to play around with the recipe some more. But it's delicious the way it is. Thanks!5 stars

      Reply
      • Archana says

        April 14, 2019 at 1:32 pm

        I am so glad you enjoyed these quinoa truffles.

        Reply
    17. Priti says

      October 01, 2019 at 1:15 pm

      When I saw this recipe, I couldn’t wait to make it for my 13 month old. So far I’ve followed the steps exactly as mentioned minus the dark chocolate (not ready to give that to my daughter just yet). However, I’m struggling with it, so far it’s one gooey mess. Please help!! I’m hoping you can respond soon so that I can fix what this gooey mess I have created lol.

      Reply
      • Archana says

        October 01, 2019 at 1:36 pm

        Hi I am not sure why it’s a gooey. Why don’t you separated make almond power and add. Also keep it in the fridge and that will help thicken up. Adding super hot quinoa can make it more sticky

        Reply
        • Priti says

          October 01, 2019 at 2:09 pm

          Ah, that might be it. Quinoa was definitely not super hot but not completely cool either. Lesson learned. Thank you so much for the quick response. I’m still working on it and hoping it’s usable. If not as a truffle, we’ll use it as a spread. It tastes delicious though. Thank you so much for this amazing, healthy recipe! 🙂

          Reply
          • Archana says

            October 03, 2019 at 11:18 am

            You are welcome! And please try this recipe again. I have never had it fail. Enjoy!

            Reply
    18. Namita says

      December 10, 2019 at 6:42 pm

      Love the recipe. Can you please share if almonds and peanut butter can be substituted for nut allergy. And what quantities to use for the alternates. Thanks , would love to try.

      Reply
      • Archana says

        December 11, 2019 at 9:02 pm

        I have tried substituting peanut butter with Sunflower seed butter but I am not sure about almonds. Are you allergic to all nuts?

        Reply
        • Namita says

          December 13, 2019 at 10:59 am

          My son is allergic to all tree nuts. I will try this recipe without alomonds and see what happens:) . Thanks

          Reply
    19. Harry says

      February 12, 2020 at 10:53 pm

      I want to make this tomorrow for Valentine's day office potluck. Can I use almond flour instead of cooked quinoa?

      Reply
      • Archana says

        February 13, 2020 at 10:31 pm

        I have not tried substituting quinoa with almond flour.

        Reply
    20. Shiva sharma says

      March 04, 2020 at 11:13 am

      Do you think almond butter will taste good instead of peanut butter?

      Reply
      • Archana says

        March 04, 2020 at 9:48 pm

        yes! almond butter will work great.

        Reply
    Newer Comments »

    Primary Sidebar

    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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