Healthy Quinoa Chocolate Bark, packed full of superfoods like quinoa, chia, hemp, and pepitas, makes a sweet treat or healthy snack!
If you love chocolate as much as I do, I'm sure you'll love this quinoa chocolate bark with chia!
It's a healthier option than the chocolate barks I usually make. It's chock full of superfoods, like quinoa, pumpkin and sunflower seeds, hemp and chia. Not only that, its crunchy nature makes it deliciously addictive.
Chocolate bark is the go-to after dinner sweet treat I often make for a dinner party when I've run out of time. I can create it in just a few minutes. I've yet to meet anyone who doesn't like to end a meal with a piece of chocolate.
Here's what you'll need to make this superfood chocolate bark:
Ingredients
maple syrup: or honey
coconut oil
vanilla extract: pure is best
espresso powder: optional, but it adds lots of flavour
flaky sea salt: for sprinkling on top
quinoa: most brands are pre-rinsed now. You'll want to find a pre-rinsed brand as you won't be cooking the quinoa in water, you'll be using it dry
nuts and seeds: I used pecans, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, hemp seeds, chia seeds, but you can use what you have on hand.
dark chocolate: you'll be melting and tempering this chocolate. Using a quality dark chocolate like Ghirardelli or Bernard Callebaut or a quality vegan chocolate will make all the difference in the world to this bark.
How to Make Quinoa Chocolate Bark with Chia
This is a simple two-part recipe. Here's a quick overview of what you'll do. Detailed instructions are in the recipe card below.
First, mix quinoa, nuts and seeds (use your favourites or whatever you have on hand) together with maple syrup (or honey) and coconut oil in a saucepan over low heat. Remove from the heat and add salt and vanilla.
Next, spread in a thin layer on a prepared baking sheet and bake in the oven.
While it's baking, melt and temper some quality dark chocolate.
Once the nut and seed mixture comes out of the oven, spread the chocolate on top, sprinkle with a little fleur de sel or other flaky sea salt and chill in the refrigerator.
Break into pieces once it has set and enjoy!
How to Store Quinoa Chocolate Bark
This chocolate bark is best stored in the refrigerator. You can freeze it in an airtight container if you'd like.
Healthy Quinoa Chocolate Bark
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp maple syrup
- 2 tbsp coconut oil
- 2 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 2 tsp instant espresso powder (optional)
- ½ tsp flaky sea salt, plus more for sprinkling on chocolate
- 1 cup dried quinoa, a pre-rinsed brand *
- ½ cup raw pecans, roughly chopped
- ½ cup raw pumpkin seeds, roughly chopped
- ¼ cup raw sunflower seeds
- 2 tbsp hemp seeds
- 2 tbsp chia seeds
- 12 oz dark chocolate, melted and tempered
Instructions
- Heat oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a small saucepan over low heat, stir maple syrup and coconut oil until oil has melted. Remove from heat and add vanilla and salt.
- In a medium bowl, stir together quinoa, pecans, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, hemp seeds, chia seeds and optional espresso powder. Add maple syrup mixture and stir until well combined.
- Spread evenly on prepared baking sheet. Bake for 20 - 25 minutes or until golden brown. Watch carefully and remove from oven if edges are beginning to brown too quickly.
- Meanwhile, melt ¾ of the chocolate in a glass bowl set over a pot of simmering water. Once melted, remove from heat and add the remaining chocolate pieces. Stir until completely melted.
- Spread over baked quinoa mixture. Refrigerate for 30 minutes (or freeze for 15 minutes) until chocolate has set. Break into pieces. Store extra in the refrigerator or freezer.
Notes
Nutrition
I adapted this recipe from Tieghan's beautiful blog, Half Baked Harvest.
More Chocolate Bark deliciousness!
- Salted Dark Chocolate-Orange Almond Bark
- Cherry Almond Chocolate Bark
- Cranberry Pistachio Chocolate Bark
Noni
Hi this looks gorgeous 🙂 just wanted to check, do you need to wash and dry the quinoa first? As in to wash off the soapy film on the raw quinoa
Flavour & Savour
Hi Noni,
Great question! I should have mentioned (and I've now added this) that I used pre-rinsed quinoa so the natural saponin has been removed. The bitter taste of unrinsed quinoa bothers some people, while others have no problem with it. There are a few quinoa brands on the market (like Ancient Harvest) that are pre-rinsed. I hope this helps--and I hope you like the recipe!
Noni
Thank you so much for replying back, will definitely it this week 🙂 I'm sure it'll be amazing!
Natalie Browne
This recipe looks fantastic. I love all the healthy ingredients combined with a little chocolate for a sweet treat. I think I'd have a hard time sharing 🙂
Flavour & Savour
Thanks Natalie,
It's one of those recipes that you'll want to sneak away a private stash, just for yourself 🙂
Abbey Sharp
This look so good and protein packed! And chocolate mmmm.
Nicoletta
This is a great recipe and I have all the ingredients to make it. That is just what I need when my chocolate cravings hit 😊.
Colleen Milne
This looks amazing, Elaine. I love that you can have your chocolate guilt free, in fact good for you! I have to try this one for sure. Thanks for sharing.
Flavour & Savour
Thanks Colleen1 Lots of nutritious ingredients in these little bites!
Justine | JustineCelina.com
Elaine, this looks really fantastic! I love the idea of combining all of these superfoods into a healthy bark. I love every single ingredient here -- I must try this! I've just pinned the recipe for future reference and will be sure to report back once I give it a go. 🙂
Thanks also for stopping by today and for the lovely comment on my latest post!
Jackie
Elaine, you have done it again. Irresistible!! Tomorrow first thing I will be getting the dark chocolate. I am rating this recipe for inspiration before I try it and based on past experience with your recipes I am confident it will be a 5. Welcome back!
Flavour & Savour
Thanks Jackie! This was devoured far too quickly in our house! Need to make another batch . . .