Chocolate quinoa bites (no bake)

Chocolate quinoa bites are a grown up version of chocolate rice crispy cakes. They are perfect for kids' lunchboxes, parties, bake sales, picnics or simply to enjoy at home. Some of the great things about this chocolate quinoa bite recipe are:

• They are quick to make.
• They are made using only 2 or 3 storecupboard ingredients.
• No baking is required.
• The recipe is versatile in that other ingredients can easily be added or substituted.
• If plant based chocolate is used then they are vegan.
• Kids will love making them.

The quantities in this recipe are sufficient to make around 15 to 20 quinoa bites, depending on size.

Ingredients for dark chocolate quinoa bites

• Dark chocolate 70% minimum cocoa content (suitable for melting)
• Puffed quinoa (also known as popped quinoa)
• Raisins, either whole or chopped (optional)

Equipement needed

• Kitchen scales
• Bowl suitable to melt the chocolate in a microwave
• Spoon to mix the ingredients
• A large flexible kitchen board, or, a rigid board with a sheet of non-stick lining paper
• Moulds or a biscuit cutter (optional)

How to make no bake chocolate quinoa bites

Break the chocolate into pieces and melt. The easiest way to do this is using a microwave. Microwave at half power for bursts of 30 seconds at a time until the chocolate has melted. Stir the chocolate to make sure it has all melted and that no lumps remain.

Add 45g (1.6 oz) puffed quinoa and 30g (1 oz) raisins (either whole or chopped) and mix together. Here I have used ready puffed quinoa which I find to be better than if I popped quinoa at home. Shop bought puffed quinoa tends to be lighter and have a more consistent texture than any I have tried popping myself.

Form the chocolate quinoa mixture into biscuit shapes on a flexible board, or on a rigid board with non-stick paper. You could use moulds, or form inside a biscuit cutter, or you could simply create free form shapes by hand. Transfer the sheet of quinoa bites to the fridge to set.

Tips

1. Melt the chocolate at short bursts in the microwave set at half power to reduce the risk of overheating as this would spoil the chocolate.
2. Store the chocolate quinoa bites in an airtight container. In cool to moderate weather they can be kept at room temperature but I recommend they are kept in the fridge in hot weather.