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Chocolate Chip Quinoa Snack Cake – This high protein, lightly sweet quinoa cake is healthy enough for breakfast. Use leftover quinoa to make it super quick and easy.
This Chocolate Chip Quinoa Snack Cake came about with some inspiration from leftover quinoa. Yes, leftover cooked quinoa is hidden in these high protein treats! Low in sugar, dairy free and loaded with healthy ingredients, this quinoa cake would make the perfect breakfast or afternoon snack.
The quinoa gives these treats a nice chew, but they are still soft and moist. The texture falls somewhere between a quick bread and a cake and are similar to my Banana Chocolate Chip Snack Cake posted earlier on the blog. As always, the kids gobbled these up in no time!
I made these several different ways, testing out what worked best. I actually like them less sweet and with the chocolate chips dotted across the top, but I give an option for sweeter if you prefer and you can always stir the chocolate chips throughout the batter as well. I tested them with all purpose flour and whole wheat flour, preferring the whole wheat, but both work, so feel free to use what you like. Lastly, since these are vegan, and therefore egg free, I tested a few different binders and really preferred using arrowroot powder in this recipe. However, a flax egg or cornstarch will work also.
That pic was snapped fresh out of the oven. Look at that gooey chocolate! So good!
This Chocolate Chip Quinoa Cake is best stored in the fridge, but I like them brought to room temperature or heated up just for a few seconds in the microwave before eating.
Chocolate Chip Quinoa Cake
I hope you love this Chocolate Chip Quinoa Snack Cake as much as we do. If you try it, please leave me a comment below with your feedback. You can also find me on social media. Be sure to tag @veggie_inspired and #veggieinspired so I’m sure to see it. Enjoy!
- 2 tbsp arrowroot powder (alternately, cornstarch or 1 tbsp flax meal)
- 3 tbsp water
- 1 cup cooked quinoa (quinoa that was cooked in water NOT broth - leftovers work perfectly)
- 1/2 cup pure maple syrup
- 1/2 cup coconut sugar (optional) (add only if you prefer a sweeter taste)
- 1 tbsp vanilla
- 1/4 cup coconut milk (I used full fat)
- 2 cups whole wheat flour (all purpose would work too)
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 cup non dairy chocolate chips
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- Mix the arrowroot powder and water in a small bowl and set aside.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the cooked quinoa, maple syrup, coconut sugar (if using), vanilla and coconut milk.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, baking soda.
- Gently stir the dry ingredients into the wet until just combined.
- Stir in the arrowroot powder mixture until fully incorporated.
- Pour batter into an 8x8 baking dish lined with parchment or sprayed lightly with coconut oil. Sprinkle the chocolate chips on top.
- Bake for 20 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Let cool on a wire rack for about 10 minutes before cutting into squares.
More Dairy Free Sweet Snacks to Love:
Baked Oatmeal Muffins with Cranberries
Becky says
Oh my goodness, I love this idea!
Jenn S. says
Thanks, Becky! It’s a great way to get an extra healthy does of protein!
Cadry's Kitchen says
I tend to not be a huge fan of quinoa, but I could totally go for it in this form! BTW, I yummed this! 🙂
Jenn S. says
Yay for the yumming! 😉 Thank you, Cadry! I think you would like quinoa in this form! 🙂
alisha says
I baked these yesterday & YUM!
I kept out the sugar & at first thought it could have used it, but I think some added chocolate chips will help sweeten it up for me next time. And there will be a next time…since I ate A LOT of this “snack” straight out of the oven!
*Day 2 thoughts…It’s lovely with just the maple syrup, trying to acclimate to desserts with less sugar/sweetness can be tough, but worthwhile. Our tastes can change with some effort!
Thanks for this great recipe Jenn!
Jenn S. says
Alisha, thank you so much for your feedback! Awesome to know that it’s just as good without the sugar!! Fantastic! I’m so glad you liked it. It’s definitely hard to stay away from, right?! I will have to try it without sugar next time too!
Shirin says
Can we replace whole wheat flour with a gluten free flour..can u suggest any gluten free one that can go with quinoa.thanks
shirin
Jenn S. says
Hi, Shirin. I’m only just beginning to work with gluten free flours from time to time. You can’t just replace one gluten free flour 1:1 for a gluten flour. If you do a replacement, I would suggest using a gluten free flour blend from the store. From what I understand, those are designed to work like gluten flours. If you give it a try or decide to experiment with other gluten free flours, please let me know how it turns out for you.
Lina says
How long can I keep them in the fridge ? 🙂
Jenn S. says
I made two batches at at time once, so I had a lot leftover. I kept them in the fridge for a week and they were fine! They are especially yummy heated up for a few seconds after coming out of the fridge!
lovemefeedme says
These look so incredible and so easy! I loooove the texture of quinoa so these are right up my alley plus chocolate hehe
Jenn S. says
Everything is better with chocolate, right?! It’s amazing how versatile quinoa is! Let me know if you try them, Leah!
linda says
I make this combination of equal parts of brown and white rice and quinoa . You think I could use that??
Jenn S. says
Hi, Linda. I’m really not sure. Rice is much chunkier than quinoa so it might not blend as well. If you try it, let me know how it turns out.
linda says
ok , just made last night with the brown ,white and quinoa and i was IMPRESSED!! I will need to make just quinoa and see the difference.. Thanks for such a great idea!!
Jenn S. says
Wow, Linda, that’s great! I honestly wasn’t sure about the rice when you asked, but I’m so happy to hear it worked out! Now you’ve got my wheels turning for creating some sweet treats with rice! 🙂
Ceara @ Ceara's Kitchen says
You know how much I LOVE your banana chocolate chip snack cake so I can’t wait to try these <3 They look amazing!!!
Sophia @veggies dont bite says
Snack cake?? That means I can eat it throughout the day right? I mean it’s just a snack and you should have many of these! YUM YUM!
Jenn S. says
YES, Sophia! That’s exactly right! To me, cake is super sweet and this most certainly is not. However, it’s not a dense bar either. And, because it’s healthier…snack cake seemed like the perfect title. 🙂 Eat up!
Linda @ Veganosity says
These look amazing Jenn! They remind me of rice krispie treats, only healthier.
Jenn S. says
Thanks, Linda. They are nothing like rice krispie treats…they are soft like cake. But, yes, healthier!