Name: Banana Quinoa Breakfast Bars
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 45 min
Ingredients: 1 cup rolled oats (gluten-free, if necessary); 1 cup uncooked white quinoa, rinsed; 1/2 tsp baking powder; 1/2 tsp cinnamon; pinch of sea salt; 3 large ripe bananas, mashed; 2 tbsp ground flaxseed; 3 tbsp natural peanut butter (other nut and seed butters will work); 1 tbsp coconut oil, softened; 2 tbsp pure maple syrup; optional: 1/4-1/2 cup add-ins like chocolate chips, coconut, chopped dried fruit

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Get your quinoa first thing in the morning with these Banana Quinoa Breakfast Bars. An easy, make-ahead breakfast that is vegan, refined-sugar-free and absolutely delicious.

Why Make These Quinoa Breakfast Bars?

Quinoa for breakfast? Don’t knock it until you try it! These breakfast bars are the perfect meal to start your morning with. They’re packed with protein, vegan and free of refined sugar!

There is truly nothing better than having healthy meals and snacks on hand. If you get sick of cooking every meal, every day (like me!), this recipe is perfect for you. It can be prepped in advance so you have a yummy breakfast or snack ready to enjoy!

Let’s recap! These Quinoa Breakfast Bars are:

Healthy – quinoa is a great source of fiber and protein
Can be prepped in advance
Vegan + gluten-free – no eggs, dairy or gluten required!
Refined sugar free!

Ingredients Needed:

rolled oats – grab gluten-free oats if necessary.
uncooked white quinoa – the most neutral tasting quinoa with the lightest texture… perfect for these bars! Make sure you rinse the quinoa before using both for removing the outer coating and also for the final texture of the bars.
bananas – you’ll want super ripe bananas!
ground flaxseed – helps bind the bars together. It is effectively like using a flax egg in place of regular eggs.
peanut butter – look for natural peanut butter with just peanuts and salt listed for ingredients! You can also swap for a different nut butter or seed butter. Almond butter works great!
coconut oil – look for unrefined and/or organic coconut oil.
maple syrup – a hint of added sweetness! You could use honey but this recipe would no longer be vegan.
baking powder – helps the bars rise.
cinnamon – I love the combination of cinnamon and banana.
sea salt – to bring all of the flavors together
optional add-ins – chocolate chips, coconut, chopped dried fruit (cranberries, raisins etc.), nuts + seeds (walnuts, pumpkin seeds, pecans etc…)

Why white quinoa?

There are actually lots of different colors of quinoa – white, red, black and more! White quinoa is the fastest cooking quinoa that is light in texture and mild in flavor. It’s perfect for these breakfast bars! You can try making this quinoa breakfast bars with a different flavor/color of quinoa but I find they take longer to cook and the flavors are affected.

Do you have to rinse quinoa?

Yes! Quinoa is coated in saponin which is bitter tasting and could result in a gross tasting breakfast bar! Add the quinoa to a fine mesh strainer and rinse under cold water before using in this recipe.

How to Make Banana Quinoa Breakfast Bars

STEP 1: MIX ALL INGREDIENTS

In a large bowl, combine rolled oats, quinoa, baking powder, cinnamon and salt. Add in the mashed bananas, flaxseed, peanut butter, coconut oil and maple syrup. Stir until well combined. Stir in any optional add-ins and let the mixture sit for 10 minutes so the flaxseed can absorb some liquid.

Mixing raw ingredients for quinoa breakfast bars.

STEP 2: BAKE BREAKFAST BARS

Spray or grease a 9 x 9 inch baking dish with coconut oil and pour the batter evenly into the prepared baking pan. Bake at 350ºF for 25 minutes or until the edges are crisp and the center is cooked through.

Quinoa breakfast bars cut in a baking dish.

STEP 3: CUT + SERVE

Let sit for 20 minutes before cutting into 9-12 squares.

banana quinoa breakfast bars with chocolate chips

Storage Instructions

Fridge: These bars store really well! After allowing the bars to cool completely, store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Freezer: Store quinoa breakfast bars in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 3 months. Allow to thaw overnight or on counter for several hours.

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