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 a recipe video.
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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.
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.
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.
- 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 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
★ Have you tried this recipe? We love your feedback, Please click on the stars in the recipe card below to rate.
Recipe
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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cookandenjoyrecipes says
Archana, I ❤️❤️ This. Thanks for sharing.
Archana says
Thank you Esme!
cookandenjoyrecipes says
I have pinned it for later. ??
Archana says
Sounds good! You will love these.
Hilda says
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.
Archana says
Yay! I would love to hear how you like them. So easy to make.
Hilda says
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!
Archana says
Thank you Hilda! So glad you made these yummy treats, and so nice of you to make extra and share them.
Simply Splendid Food says
What a beautiful recipe with the quinoa. Chocolate and peanut butter go so well together! ?
Archana says
Thank you! It is simple but like you said all the ingredients go well together perfectly in these healthy and delicious truffles.
Cattie's World says
Looks like a large gooey chocolate mass...............Yummy !! Guess it would stick to your teeth ?
Archana says
Thank you Cattie! They do not really stick, but like you said moist and chocolatey.
Rashmi Gopal Rao says
Very nice; I must try Archana!
Archana says
Thank you Rasmi! You will love these, very easy to make for the healthy and delicious taste.
Freda @ Aromatic essence says
Love the addition of quinoa to these energy balls !! They look yum!
Archana says
Thank you Freda! And so simple to make for the delicious results.
Apsara says
I have never used cooked quinoa in truffles. This looks like an excellent idea. I'm sure it tastes delicious too!
Archana says
Thank you Apsara! These are super yummy and the quinoa goes so well with this dish and you can barely tell.
annika says
I always sneak quinoa into all sorts of things and no one ever notices! These look divine!
Archana says
Thank you Annika! These truffles taste as divine as they look.
Sandhya says
Love the addition of quinoa in this yummy recipe Archana!
Archana says
Thank you Sandhya! Quinoa does make them moist and healthy.
cookandenjoyrecipes says
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
Archana says
Sorry for the delay. I just reblogged this.
Smiling Notes says
They look so healthy and delicious! Love them.
Archana says
Thank you!! They are delicious and very easy to make.
Katharina Beam says
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!!!
Divya says
Any other substitute you suggest for nut butter?
Archana says
Sunflower seed butter works well
Ami Patel says
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
Archana says
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 🙂
Ruchika says
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!
Archana says
You are welcome! My children love these for breakfast, snack and dessert
Janice Quick says
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!
Archana says
I am so glad you enjoyed these quinoa truffles.
Priti says
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.
Archana says
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
Priti says
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! 🙂
Archana says
You are welcome! And please try this recipe again. I have never had it fail. Enjoy!
Namita says
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.
Archana says
I have tried substituting peanut butter with Sunflower seed butter but I am not sure about almonds. Are you allergic to all nuts?
Namita says
My son is allergic to all tree nuts. I will try this recipe without alomonds and see what happens:) . Thanks
Harry says
I want to make this tomorrow for Valentine's day office potluck. Can I use almond flour instead of cooked quinoa?
Archana says
I have not tried substituting quinoa with almond flour.
Shiva sharma says
Do you think almond butter will taste good instead of peanut butter?
Archana says
yes! almond butter will work great.