Packed with protein, fiber and all of your favorite fall spices, these Pumpkin Quinoa Chocolate Chip Bars will be your go-to pumpkin treat!
I am SO excited for the Fall!! I love pumpkin so much that I try to make as many fun things as I can with it.
This time of year I become even more obsessed with pumpkin recipes. I always try to create new creative recipes for the Fall to mix up our routines.
If you are looking for more pumpkin recipes, you will love this Easy Pumpkin Mousse, Pumpkin Pie with Pecan Crust, Pumpkin Cornbread and definitely these Pumpkin Gingerbread Muffins!
These would be extra delicious with some Apple Chai Latte, Eggnog Latte, Low Carb Bulletproof Hot Chocolate or even some Spiked Apple Cider!
Also, my cookbooks are both on sale now and would make a great gift! The Everything Wheat Free Diet Cookbook and The Greek Yogurt Cookbook are both the lowest prices I have seen!
Why You Should Make These Pumpkin Quinoa Chocolate Chip Bars
Quinoa is a complete protein and has such a wonderful, nutty texture. Soooo.... (you know where I am going with this, don't you?) why not add it to these cookie Bars?
Fantastic.
A little flax seed never hurt anyone, right? (Actually it's PACKED with omega-3-fatty acids, fiber and antioxidants)
Pumpkin is a powerhouse of nutrition. It's loaded with vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.
Sooooo....these yummy bars are a healthier option that your ordinary butter laden chocolate chip cookie, but just as delicious. These are very easy to make and freezer friendly as well.
Recipe Tips
One note, I used 2 cups of flour and the squares come out more cake-like. If you would like a chewier pumpkin quinoa bar, reduce the amount of flour.
You can also mix it up with the unrefined granulated sugar and maple syrup. I would love to hear how they turn out.
Personally, I love them just the way they are, but I completely understand that sometimes you just don't have the tome to run to the grocery store and you want to use what's in your house. I get it.
Related Recipes
No Bake Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars from Lauren Kelly Nutrition
Healthy Pumpkin Bar Recipe from Yummy Toddler Food
Vegan No Bake Pumpkin Donut Holes from Lauren Kelly Nutrition
Healthy Pumpkin Cake from The Big Man's World
Gluten Free Pumpkin Pie with Pecan Crust from Lauren Kelly Nutrition
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Quinoa Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bars
Ingredients
- 2 cups all purpose gluten free flour
- ½ cup ground flax seed
- 1 teaspoon pumpkin spice
- 1½ teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup butter room temperature
- 2 tablespoons unrefined sugar or Monk fruit
- 3 tablespoons 100% pure maple syrup
- 1 egg
- 1½ cup cooked quinoa cooled (this equals ½ cup dry quinoa)
- 1½ tablespoons pure vanilla extract
- 1½ cups pure pumpkin puree NOT pumpkin pie filling
- ¾ cup dark chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 9 x 9 or 9 x 13 casserole dish with nonstick baking spray.
- Mix the flour, flax seed, pumpkin spice, cinnamon, baking soda and salt. Set the bowl aside.
- In a large bowl, mix the sugar, maple syrup and butter until thoroughly combined and butter is completely mixed in. Add egg, quinoa and vanilla and mix again. Slowly add pumpkin and continue to mix well.
- Once completely mixed, slowly add the flour mixture. Feel free to add small amounts of water if the batter seems to thick.
- Once the flour mixture is completely combined, add chocolate chips and stir well. Place in preheated oven and bake for 40 minutes or until you place a toothpick in the center and it comes out clean.
Notes
Nutrition
Betsy
This is so great! I've been looking for more ways to incorporate healthy things like quinoa in my diet! Especially in desserts! So delicious!
Matt Taylor
These sound and look so yummy. And you are definitely right, a little flaxseed never hurt anyone, in fact, it totally helps. Nice healthy recipe!
Lisalia
Quinoa in a dessert?! Yes, I'm here for it! These were delicious and I loved that my kids loved them too!
Kristen M Chidsey
Lauren---these gems have my name ALL over them! Pinned to try!
Jocelyn (Grandbaby Cakes)
Love these!! I gotta try them!!!
Ashley
These sound delicious! The perfect Fall treat 🙂
Isabelle @ Crumb
OOooh... I'm very intrigued. I've never tried using quinoa in a baked good, but I've just been asked to bake a healthy treat for a bake sale at work, and these sound absolutely perfect.
Will have to try a test run this weekend, just to be on the safe side... and because I don't think I want to share the first batch. 😉
Taylor Kiser
I could go for a batch of these! They look so delicious!
nicole @ I am a Honey Bee
it's so creative that you put the quinoa in there!
The Food Hunter
I want one right now!!
Shashi at RunninSrilankan
I so so LOVE how you doctored up Martha Stewart's recipe for Pumpkin Chocolate Chip bars! Your version is heavenly - and I so wish one (or 3) of these would appear on my plate right now!
Liz
At last!! A healthier pumpkin treat! I love the addition of flax and quinoa---without compromising the deliciousness!
Claudia
Wondering if you could add more Flax meal to substitute for the butter? I know, sounds odd but on my package of "Bob's Red Mill" flaxseed meal it says "Ground flaxmeal can be substituted for the shortening or cooking oil at a ratio of 3 to 1 in baked goods. For example, 1-1/2 cups of flaxseed meal can replace 1/2 cup butter, margarine or cooking oil in a recipe. * Baked goods substituting flaxseed meal for cooking oil tend to brown more rapidly."
I absolutely LOVE quinoa, pumpkin, chocolate, AUTUMN, healthy eating and all those autumn-ish spices, so these are right up my alley. I'm gonna try this! Anyone else? Anyone?
LaurenKellyNutrition
Hi Claudia! I am curious, let me know if you try it with no butter!! 🙂
Isabelle at home
I like the use of quinoa, so clever!
PB and Peppers (@JenatPBandP)
Oh my gosh do these look amazing!!! I have to make these today!!