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Home » Recipes » Snacks

Quinoa Granola Bars

Last Modified: Feb 10, 2025. Originally Published: Nov 23, 2023 by Janessa.

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Made with wholesome ingredients, these quinoa granola bars are a great recipe for a mid-afternoon snack or quick breakfast on the go. Full of crunchy quinoa, sweet dates and chewy oatmeal, they are easily customizable and store well.

Jump to:
  • The Ingredients
  • The Method
  • Leftovers and Storage
  • Make it Your Own
  • Tips and Notes
  • And if you liked this recipe...
  • Recipe Card
  • Comments
Snack bars on a cutting board.

Do you ever get the urge to help out your future self?

Whenever I'm anticipating a particularly stressful or busy week, I always find myself wanting to get started now and to do what I can to alleviate the stress.

And often, it seems there isn't a whole lot to be done at the present.

But prepping a meal or healthy snack can be a great way to do a little something now to help a bit. Because adding hanger to a stressful week never goes over well.

One of my favorite things to prepare for a week of unknown is some kind of healthy granola or snack bar.

They are perfect for a quick snack on the go or even to help satisfy a sweet treat craving (I also like to keep a batch of oat flour cookies for said treat!).

From chocolate peanut butter protein bars and flourless cookie bars to these quinoa granola bars and more, I have to say, I have a pretty good rotation going.

But these quinoa granola bars are one that I come back to time and time again.

Made with simple ingredients, they hold together extremely well (so important for days on the run!), are customizable (there is definitely room for chocolate chips in here) and have a wonderful texture.

So if you've been looking for a simple granola bar recipe that is baked and doesn't fall apart, this is it!

The Ingredients

Ingredients for quinoa granola bars.
  • Almond Butter- You can substitute with another nut or seed butter such as natural peanut butter or cashew butter. See this almond butter substitutes post for more options.
  • Maple Syrup- Another liquid sweetener such as honey, brown rice syrup or agave nectar can be used. I also have a post on maple syrup substitutes for more info.
  • Medjool dates- Ensure that the dates are pitted. You can substitute with regular dates or raisins- you will need ⅓ cup packed.
  • Vanilla Extract
  • Fine Sea Salt
  • Large Flake Rolled Oats- Quick oats will also work.
  • Uncooked Quinoa- You can use any color for this recipe.
  • Walnuts- These add flavor, texture and healthy fats. You can use any type of chopped nut or a mixture. Or replace with another add in such as chocolate chips.
  • Pumpkin Seeds (Pepitas)- Sunflower seeds will also work or additional chopped nuts.
  • Chia Seeds- These can be left out or replaced with hemp seeds.

The Method

1. Soak dates. To a large bowl, add the pitted dates and cover with hot water. Allow to sit for 5-10 minutes until soft. Drain the water.

Dates soaking in hot water.

2. Mix wet ingredients. Add the nut butter and maple syrup to the large mixing bowl with the dates. Use an immersion blender to blend into a smooth paste.

Almond butter, dates and syrup in a mixing bowl.

Alternatively, you can mix in a food processor. Just add the dates, nut butter and syrup and pulse until smooth and then transfer to a large bowl.

Wet ingredients blended together with an immersion blender.

3. Add dry ingredients. Add the quinoa, seeds and oats to the bowl and stir until well incorporated.

Ingredients in a mixing bowl.

4. Transfer mixture. Line a 9x9 inch baking dish with a silicone liner or parchment paper. Scoop the oat mixture into the prepared pan and press into an even layer. TIP: Lightly wet your hands before pressing the mixture to prevent it from sticking to you.

Batter poured into a baking dish.

5. Bake. Bake at 300 F for 20-25 minutes until lightly golden brown.

Quinoa granola batter pressed into a baking pan.

6. Cool. Allow the bars to cool in the pan fully to set for at least 2 hours. You can put the pan in the fridge after the first hour to speed up the process slightly.

Granola bars on a cutting board before slicing.

7. Slice. Lift the bars (from the paper/liner) and set onto a cutting board. Slice into desired size and shape. You can cut them into quinoa bars or squares.

Granola bars sliced on a cutting board.

8. Enjoy!

Leftovers and Storage

To Store: Store leftover quinoa granola bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days or in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.

To Freeze: These homemade granola bars can be frozen for up to 3 months. Eat them frozen or thawed.

Quinoa granola bar cut into a square with a bite taken out.

Make it Your Own

  • Make it Nut Free- Use sunflower seed butter in place of almond butter and sunflower seeds, additional pumpkin seeds or chocolate chips in place the walnuts.
  • Incorporate Add Ins- Reduce the walnuts and pepitas ¼ cup each and then add ½ cup of dark chocolate chips, dried fruit or coconut flakes. Or omit the nuts/seeds completely and add a full cup.
  • Add a Chocolate Topping- After baking and cooling the bars, melt 4 ounces of semi-sweet or dark chocolate in a small bowl in 20 second burst in the microwave, stirring after each, until melted. Pour the melted chocolate over the bars and tilt the pan so that the chocolate covers the bars completely. Place in the freezer for 20 minutes before slicing.
  • Or a Chocolate Drizzle- If you want just a touch of chocolate, you can melt 1 ounce of chocolate and drizzle it over the bars instead.
Snack bars on a cutting board.

Tips and Notes

  • Ensure Bars Set: When shaping the oat mixture in the pan, press it down firmly to create set bars. Wet your hands slightly to prevent sticking when pressing the mixture.
  • Soak the Dates: Don't skip soaking the dates as it helps to make them soft enough to blend into a paste that is imperative for achieving the texture of these chewy bars.

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And if you liked this recipe...

...you might also like these other snacks!

  • Crunchy Peanut Butter Snack Bars
  • Honey Spice Zucchini Muffins
  • Healthy Banana Brownies
  • Easy Protein Cookie Dough
  • High Protein Granola Bars

Recipe Card

Sliced granola bars on a cutting board.

Quinoa Granola Bars

Made with wholesome ingredients, these bars are a great recipe for a mid-afternoon snack or quick breakfast on the go. Full of crunchy quinoa, sweet dates and chewy oatmeal, they are easily customizable and store well.
4.97 from 33 votes
Print Pin Rate
Prep Time: 20 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes minutes
Cooling Time: 2 hours hours
Total Time: 3 hours hours
Servings: 16 bars
Calories: 165kcal

Ingredients

  • 5 Medjool dates (⅓ cup packed)
  • ½ cup almond butter
  • ⅓ cup maple syrup
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ¼ teaspoon fine sea salt
  • 1 and ½ cups large flake oats
  • ¼ cup uncooked quinoa
  • ½ cup walnuts roughly chopped
  • ½ cup pumpkin seeds (pepitas)
  • 1 tablespoon chia seeds
US Customary - Metric
(Prevent your screen from going dark)

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 300 °F. Prepare a 9x9 baking pan with a silicone liner or parchment paper to be able to easily remove the bars.
  • To a large bowl, add the pitted dates and cover with hot water. Allow to sit for 5-10 minutes until soft. Drain the water.
  • Add the nut butter, maple syrup and vanilla to the bowl with the dates. Use an immersion blender to blend into a smooth paste.
    Alternatively, you can pulse them altogether in a food processor.
  • Add the remaining ingredients to the bowl and use a rubber spatula to mix until well combined.
  • Pour the mixture into the prepared baking pan and press firmly into an even layer and bake for 20-25 minutes until the edges are lightly browned.
  • Cool completely on a wire rack for at least 2 hours. To make slicing into bars easier, you can chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour prior to removing from the pan and cutting.
  • Slice and enjoy!

Notes

Leftovers
Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days, in the refrigerator for up to 1 week or freeze for up to 3 months. Enjoy frozen or thawed.

Nutrition

Calories: 165kcal | Carbohydrates: 20g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0.003g | Sodium: 39mg | Potassium: 204mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 13IU | Vitamin C: 0.1mg | Calcium: 54mg | Iron: 1mg
Did you make this recipe?Let me know what you thought in the comments below!
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Comments

    4.97 from 33 votes (27 ratings without comment)

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  1. Gina Abernathy says

    September 29, 2022 at 9:27 pm

    5 stars
    Love these snack bars. Healthy and easy.

    Reply
    • Janessa says

      September 30, 2022 at 6:26 am

      Thank you for your kind comments, Gina!

      Reply
  2. MacKenzie says

    September 29, 2022 at 10:12 pm

    5 stars
    These homemade bars were amazing. The sweetness from the dates and the tiny bit of saltiness is perfection.

    Reply
    • Janessa says

      September 30, 2022 at 6:26 am

      I'm glad you enjoyed these snack bars, MacKenzie!

      Reply
  3. Ieva says

    September 29, 2022 at 11:09 pm

    5 stars
    Lovely bars! Really enjoyed all the bits of texture - the oat, the quinoa and chia seeds! Great snack to take on the go and tastes delicious 🙂

    Reply
    • Janessa says

      September 30, 2022 at 6:26 am

      I'm glad you enjoyed this recipe, Ieva!

      Reply
  4. Farah says

    September 29, 2022 at 11:14 pm

    5 stars
    These look perfect! Healthy, crisp, delicious. I bet even my kids would like these! Thanks for the recipe!

    Reply
    • Janessa says

      September 30, 2022 at 6:25 am

      Thank you for your kind review, Farah!

      Reply
  5. merry says

    May 08, 2024 at 2:30 am

    Have you tried with another nut butter? Allergic to almonds.

    Reply
    • Janessa says

      May 08, 2024 at 6:27 am

      Yes, you can use peanut butter (natural-style, smooth).

      Reply
  6. Manal says

    June 24, 2024 at 11:14 pm

    4 stars
    Although these were some of the best bars I’ve tried so far there were a few things that I’d change if I make them again. Firstly I’d leave out the uncooked quinoa or substitute cooked quinoa as they were quite unpleasant and hard. Secondly I wouldn’t add dried fruits as recommended as the base of dates and maple syrup already give these bars enough sweetness. If you do want to add dried fruit maybe leave out the maple syrup otherwise they will be too sweet.

    Reply
    • Janessa says

      June 25, 2024 at 6:42 am

      Thank you for taking the time to leave your notes on this recipe, Manal!

      Reply
  7. Alexandra says

    June 29, 2024 at 9:22 am

    5 stars
    My absolute favorite granola bars! I've tried many different recipes, but am making these once a week for my husband and I to take to work. He loves them!

    Reply
    • Janessa says

      June 30, 2024 at 4:22 am

      I'm so glad you liked this recipe, Alexandra! Thank you for your kind review.

      Reply
Janessa

Hi, I'm Janessa and I'm passionate about sharing recipes that are made with wholesome ingredients, are quick and easy and most importantly, delicious!

More about me →

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