Toasted quinoa and oat bars

Makes 20 squares

Ingredients

1 cup (160g) quinoa
1 cup (80g) oats
1 cup (170g) almonds, chopped into small chunks or pulsed in a blender
1/2 cup peanut butter
3/4 cup honey
1 tbsp coconut oil
pinch salt

Method

Preheat oven to 200°C (180°C fan-forced). Line a brownie pan (28cm long, 18cm wide, 3cm deep) with baking paper and set aside.

Spread quinoa, oats and nuts evenly onto a lined baking tray and dry bake for 15 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from oven and turn heat down to 160°C (140°C fan-forced).

Place peanut butter, honey and coconut oil in a medium size saucepan, and heat gently on low. Stir mixture constantly until well combined.

Pour toasted quinoa mixture into the saucepan, add a pinch of salt and stir until well combined.

Scrape the mixture into the brownie pan using a large metal spoon, flatten and smooth out right to the edges.

Bake for 20 minutes, or until crisp around the edges. As soon as you remove the pan from the oven use the metal spoon again to really flatten and smooth the baked mixture across the top. Then leave to cool for 15-20 minutes.

Remove from pan and use a sharp knife to slice into fingers or squares.

When cool, store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week.

Find more healthier sweet treats

Serving Suggestions

Note

For extra pizzazz you dip half of each bar in some good quality melted chocolate, then allow them to set in the fridge before eating. You can also just drizzle the chocolate over the top.
If you don't like almonds, you can use any other nuts you like, or even a mix of other nuts.
This recipe was created by Katie Rainbird for Kidspot, New Zealand's best recipe finder. You can follow Katie at Katie180.