Almond Joy Alternatives
Perfect little substitute to satisfy your sweet tooth and get a bit of a chocolate fix. The Littles think I’ve lost my mind when I offer these sweet treats for a “breakfast on the run.” They also make the perfect after school snack when we’re running to our next activity or sporting event.
Ingredients
1/3 cup (dry) quinoa
2/3 cup water
12 whole dates, no sugar added
1/2 cup whole raw almonds
1/3 cup grated fresh coconut
3-4 teaspoons water
1/4 cup dark chocolate (Chips or melted bars)
Directions
- Add quinoa and water to a small saucepan, cover and bring to a boil, reduce heat to a simmer and cook approximately 15 minutes or until all water has been absorbed. Cool to room temperature and refrigerate at least 2 hours...overnight will work.
- Add dates to your Vitamix (a food processor could be used) and pulse until they form a ball. Remove dates and place in a bowl.
- Add almonds to the Vitamix and pulse until finely minced. Be careful not to completely pulverize the almonds or turn them into almond butter
- Add dates, almonds, coconut and quinoa to the Vitamix and pulse until ingredients are well combined.
- Return ingredients to the mixing bowl, and add one teaspoon of water at a time, until mixture holds together.
- Shape into 14 mini bars.
- In a small saucepan, add chocolate chips/ pieces and melt over low heat or in a doubleboiler. Drizzle warm chocolate over the top of each bar.
- Refrigerate and allow chocolate to harden. This helps hold the bars together. Bars can be stored in an airtight container for several days or frozen in a freezer safe dish.
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