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If you're craving chocolate with some crunch, these Quinoa Chocolate Crisps totally hit the spot. They're easy to throw together and taste even better cold. Just pop them out of the fridge or freezer and go. You only need a handful of basic ingredients and hardly spend any time cooking. That's my kind of treat!
First made these for movie night at home, and everyone grabbed more. Now I always have a batch in the freezer in case neighbors or friends drop by.
Decadent Ingredients
- Flaky salt: Completely optional, but a dash brings out the chocolatey-ness big time. Go for a fancy sea salt if you're feeling it.
- Puffed quinoa: Crisp little puffs with a mellow, nutty flavor. Make sure yours is light (not raw or chewy) and skip anything with sugar or other stuff added in.
- Peanut butter: Doesn't matter if it's chunky or creamy; both mix in smooth. Glues everything together and dials up that rich flavor. No nuts? Sunflower seed butter is awesome, too.
- Dark chocolate: My favorite is at least 70% cacao, but use a sweeter bar if that's your style.
Simple How-To Guide
- Pop Out and Save:
- Take a small knife and work it around each crisp to loosen. If you're on batch two or more, keep chilling then pop out as you go along.
- Cool and Chill:
- Sprinkle with flaky salt now if you want. Slide the tray into your freezer for half an hour or let them sit in the fridge for about an hour until they're set and easy to lift.
- Spoon Out Crisps:
- Use a scoop or two spoons to drop the mixture on your tray or in muffin cups. Gently smoosh them down a bit—don't over-pack. With muffin tins, just fill each one most of the way up so they hold their shape.
- Mix in Your Puffs:
- Pour your puffed quinoa into the melted mix. Give it a gentle stir until every little bit is covered and evenly combined.
- Melt Chocolate and Nut Butter:
- Put your chocolate and peanut butter in a heat-safe bowl. Microwave in short bursts and stir in between, or set up over a small pan of simmering water and keep stirring so it all gets melty and smooth. Let it sit a second before moving on.
- Prep Your Pan First:
- Start by laying parchment on your baking sheet or grease up your mini muffin tin. It'll help the crisps pop out easy and keep from sticking.
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Puffed quinoa is my absolute go-to for its gentle crunch and nutty notes. Takes me back to making crispy treats with my kids, but now I've leveled up the flavor for grown-up snacking. The joy of sharing fresh ones from the kitchen is something I'll never forget.
Storage Advice
Keep your chocolate quinoa crisps in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks or pop them in the freezer and they'll last for 2 months. Layer some parchment in between so they don't fuse together. I always freeze a few extras so I can grab an instant chocolate hit anytime.
Swap Ideas
No puffed quinoa in the pantry? Puffed rice cereal or millet works just fine. Can't do nuts? Swap peanut butter for sunflower seed butter or even tahini. If you're skipping dairy, reach for vegan chocolate chips. Toss in coconut, dried fruit, or chopped nuts for a new twist every time.
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Serving Ideas
Totally the best after school snack, fun party treat, or quick dessert fix. Gift them in little bags with ribbon for something special. Or break the crisps into chunks for a rustic chocolate bark that'll look awesome on a holiday tray.
Cool Fact About Quinoa Crisps
Puffed quinoa comes from the Andes, where quinoa's been grown forever. When it's popped, it gets this brand new taste and crunch. Now you see it turning up in all kinds of snacks everywhere.
Frequently Asked Questions
- → What type of chocolate works best?
Go for dark chocolate that's got at least 70% cacao if you want a stronger taste that pairs with crunchy quinoa. Milk chocolate is fine too if you like it sweeter.
- → Can I substitute the puffed quinoa?
Puffed rice and other airy grains can stand in, but puffed quinoa brings a special crunch and some extra goodness.
- → How should I store the crisps?
Stash them in a sealed container, layered with parchment, and keep cold in your fridge or freezer to keep them crunchy.
- → Are there flavor variations?
For sure! Toss in coconut, chop up some nuts or pretzels, sprinkle in seeds, or play with the sweet stuff by adding honey, maple syrup, or different chocolates.
- → Is peanut butter necessary?
Nope! It just makes things creamier. You could use sunflower seed or almond butter, or skip it totally.
- → Why add flaky salt on top?
The salt keeps things from getting too sweet and really makes the chocolate pop in every bite.