Goji Quinoa Protein Squares
Serves: 6
I love making recipes that are quick, easy and portable, yet packed with ‘fit’ ingredients that will fuel my morning workouts! I usually bake later in the day, so I always look forward to having a new recipe that I can grab on my way to the gym the next morning. It gives me something new and yummy to look forward too! It gives me three reasons to love getting out of bed in the morning; awesome food, a great run and some serious weight training!! There is nothing better! Yes, I know, I’m addicted to the fit lifestyle! ?
These squares are boyfriend tested and approved (which, means a lot because he is not into healthy foods like I am)!! If he likes them, then I know they are a big hit!
Fit Ingredients
- 1/2c (86g) dry quinoa (or 1 cup cooked)
- 1 1/2 scoops (48g) vanilla casein protein powder*
- 3 tbs (48g) almond butter
- 1/4c (28g) goji berries
- 1/2-1 tsp stevia (adjust to your taste depending on sweetness of protein powder)
- 1/8-1/4c water (or milk)
*You can also used unflavored protein and add in extracts of your choice. Feel free to sub with whey, rice, or any other kind of protein you choose.
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- 6×8 in baking pan
- parchment paper
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Directions
If your quinoa is not already cooked, cook according to package directions. Allow the quinoa to cool. Once the quinoa has cooled mix your stevia, protein powder and goji berries in. Mix your almond butter with 1/8c water until dissolved. Mix almond butter into your quinoa mixture. Stir until evenly coated. The mixture should be just wet enough that it sticks together, but not mushy. You want it to be slightly crumbly. Add additional water, if needed, until this consistency is reached. Line your baking pan with parchment paper. Press your quinoa mixture evenly into the pan. Refrigerate for 30 minutes. Cut the bars into 6 pieces (or 4 like I did). Return to the refrigerator or freezer until ready to eat.
I kept mine in the freezer in individual ziplock bags and would grab one about 30 minutes before I was going to eat it, which was perfect!! They can be stored in the freezer for up to 2 weeks!
I ate mine before my morning workout and it kept me satisfied for 3 hrs!! Now that’s some calorie bang for your buck!! You could also have it as a mid afternoon snack!
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Size when cut into 6 squares!
Nutrition: (per 1 out of 6 squares)
Calories: 143.3, Protein: 10.2g, Carbs: 16.2g, Fat: 4.8g (1g Saturated), Sodium: 80mg, Fiber: 3g (Net Carbs: 13.2g)
When cut into 4 squares! They’re HUGE!! They take up my entire hand!
If you divide them into 4 squares like I did (I need the calories for my workouts) then the nutrition would be:
Calories: 215.0, Protein: 15.3g, Carbs: 24.3g, Fat: 7.2g (1.5g Saturated), Sodium: 120mg, Fiber: 4.5g (Net Carbs: 19.8g)
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