Cranberry and lemon quinoa bars

Discover the perfect blend of tart and sweet with our Cranberry and Lemon Quinoa Bars. Packed with wholesome quinoa, dried apricots, and a hint of cinnamon, these bars are sweetened with brown sugar and honey, and infused with zesty lemon for a delightful treat. Perfect for a nutritious snack or a tasty breakfast option. Try this easy-to-make recipe today!

26 Apr 2024
Cook time 20 min
Prep time 35 min
15 Servings
12 Ingredients

Cranberry and lemon quinoa bars are the perfect blend of tart and sweet, packed with nutrient-dense quinoa and the vibrant flavors of lemon zest and dried fruits. These bars make for an excellent on-the-go breakfast, snack, or a light dessert, offering both taste and health benefits.

Ingredients:

2 cups quinoa

460g

3/4 cup all-purpose white wheat flour

90g

1/2 cup brown sugar

120g

1/2 cup dried apricots

72g

1 tsp baking powder

1 tsp cinnamon

2 tbsp lemon zest

30g

1 cup dried cranberries

150g

1/2 cup butter

110g

1/2 cup honey

120g

1/3 cup milk (1% fat)

80g

2 eggs

100g

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven: Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9x13 inch (23x33 cm) baking dish with parchment paper or grease it lightly to prevent sticking.

2. Cook the quinoa: Rinse the quinoa under cold water to remove any bitterness. In a saucepan, combine the quinoa with 4 cups (960ml) of water. Bring it to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and cover. Cook for about 15 minutes or until the quinoa has absorbed all the water and is tender. Once cooked, fluff the quinoa with a fork and set aside to cool.

3. Prepare the dry ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose white wheat flour, brown sugar, baking powder, and cinnamon. Mix well to ensure the baking powder and cinnamon are evenly distributed.

4. Add the fruits and zest: Stir in the chopped dried apricots, dried cranberries, and lemon zest into the dry ingredients. Mix until the fruits and zest are evenly distributed throughout the mixture.

5. Combine wet ingredients: In a medium bowl, mix the melted butter, honey, milk, and beaten eggs until well combined.

6. Incorporate the quinoa: Add the cooled quinoa to the bowl of wet ingredients, mixing well to ensure the quinoa is evenly coated.

7. Combine everything: Gradually add the wet mixture to the dry ingredients, stirring gently until everything is combined. Make sure there are no dry pockets of flour.

8. Transfer to baking dish: Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading it out evenly with the back of a spoon or a spatula.

9. Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for about 25-30 minutes, or until the bars are golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

10. Cool and cut: Allow the bars to cool completely in the baking dish on a wire rack. Once cooled, remove the bars from the dish using the parchment paper (if used) and cut them into squares or rectangles.

11. Serve and store: Enjoy your cranberry and lemon quinoa bars immediately or store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. For longer storage, you can keep them in the refrigerator.

Tips:

- Rinse quinoa thoroughly: Rinse the quinoa under cold water before cooking to remove its natural coating, called saponin, which can make it taste bitter or soapy.

- Substitute ingredients: Feel free to swap out dried apricots and dried cranberries with other dried fruits like raisins, dates, or cherries based on your preference.

- Cool completely before cutting: Allow the quinoa bars to cool completely in the baking dish before cutting them into squares. This will help them set properly and make them easier to handle.

- Use parchment paper: Line your baking dish with parchment paper for easier removal of the bars and to avoid sticking.

- Store properly: Store the quinoa bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week, or in the refrigerator for longer freshness.

Enjoy these flavorful cranberry and lemon quinoa bars as a delicious and nutritious treat. Their unique combination of ingredients will not only satisfy your taste buds but also provide you with essential nutrients to keep you energized throughout the day. Store the bars in an airtight container to keep them fresh for longer.

Nutrition Facts
Serving Size	90 grams
Energy
Calories 220kcal	9%
Protein
Protein 3.40g	2%
Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates 36g	11%
Fiber 2.13g	6%
Sugar 24g	25%
Fat
Fat 8g	9%
Saturated 3.68g	12%
Cholesterol 44mg	-
Vitamins
Vitamin A 80ug	9%
Choline 33mg	6%
Vitamin B1 0.06mg	5%
Vitamin B2 0.08mg	6%
Vitamin B3 0.44mg	3%
Vitamin B6 0.07mg	4%
Vitamin B9 20ug	5%
Vitamin B12 0.10ug	4%
Vitamin C 0.12mg	0%
Vitamin E 0.70mg	5%
Vitamin K 1.58ug	1%
Minerals
Calcium, Ca 50mg	4%
Copper, Cu 0.10mg	0%
Iron, Fe 0.97mg	9%
Magnesium, Mg 27mg	6%
Phosphorus, P 90mg	7%
Potassium, K 160mg	5%
Selenium, Se 4.64ug	8%
Sodium, Na 50mg	3%
Zinc, Zn 0.57mg	5%
Water
Water 40g	-
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2500 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

Cranberry and lemon quinoa bars

Ingredients:

Instructions:

Tips:

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