Quinoa Brownie Bites are nut, gluten, sugar- free and low calorie too!
Would you ever think a brownie bite would look so good made without flour? Subbing quinoa for the flour in these little bites makes for a fudgy and moist bite of chocolate goodness! Quinoa is a fabulous gluten free seed that cooks in 15 minutes and is a great alterative to rice and even pasta in traditional dishes. Trying it for a dessert wasn't a new idea for me as I had my Cocoa Quinoa Bar recipe to work with. I wanted to remove the dates used as a sweetener to make it sugar free. The results are a perfectly little bite that takes the edge off when you need a little chocolate to curb a craving without going overboard on your calorie budget for the day.
The chocolate ganache was a new idea as the little brownie bites needed some shine and bling! Once you make the ganache you can pour it over the bites or even over a cake or on ice cream. The ganache sets up and slightly hardens in a short time so you can easily transport these in a airtight container to bring to a birthday party or friends house.
Make these for your kiddies for afterschool and they will do any chore you ask. I've done it. It works. 🙂
Notes on substitutions:
- If you can't find sugar-free chocolate chips from Whole Foods, you can also use unsweetened carob chips that are still slightly sweet and add a nice flavor. The brand I found at Whole Foods for the sugar-free chocolate chips was by Lily's, sweetened with stevia.
- You could also look for chocolate chips or a chocolate bar that has the highest amount of cocoa in it, maybe 80-90%. You may need to add more stevia if the chocolate is too bitter for you.
- If you need an allergy friendly chocolate chip, Enjoy Life is a great brand I've used before for my boys.
Gluten & Sugar Free Quinoa Brownie Bites with Sugar Free Ganache
Ingredients
- 1 cup dry quiona rinsed, drained
- 2 cups water
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon liquid vanilla stevia
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ⅓ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- ½ cup milk
- 2 tablespoon flaxseed meal
- 1 ¼ cup sugar free chocolate chips
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
Sugar Free Ganache
- ¼ cup heavy cream
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon powdered stevia
- 4 droppers vanilla liquid stevia
- ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
Instructions
- Bring water and quinoa to a boil.
- Cover and reduce heat to a simmer.
- Cook for 12-15 minutes until water is absorbed.
- Add salt and set aside. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- In a large bowl, whisk eggs until frothy.
- Add stevia and extract together with eggs.
- In a food processor combine quinoa, cocoa powder, milk, flax seed and chocolate chips.
- Process until combined well then add egg mixture, baking powder and process again.
- Pour mixture into 24 mini muffin cups.
- Bake for 20 minutes.
- Cool slightly then loosen edges with a knife.
- Remove and cool on a wire rack.
- Once cooled add sugar free chocolate ganache.
Ganache
- Heat cream, vanilla extract, and stevia over low heat in a sauce pan.
- Once it comes to a gentle boil turn off heat and whisk in cocoa powder until smooth.
- Pour over brownie bites or as a chocolate syrup over ice cream.
- Allow to set before serving or storing in airtight container.
Notes
Nutrition
Kaneez Gubitra
Can I put this in a cake mould and bake it as a cake instead
Andrea
I want to make these so much! I have everything I need too, just one problem...
I only have a small food processor, do you think these I could process in small amounts then use my stand mixer to mix egg mixture with the processed amounts?
Also I found Enjoy Life Chocolate chips and Lily's chocolate chips at Fruitful Yield.
Brenda
Yes I think you could work in batches to process then stir in the eggs with your mixer. Hope you love them!
Monica
I am trying to find a few dessert recipes for my mom who has recently been diagnosed with diabetes. I think this will be a good one for her. I made these without the Ganoche and they were quite good. Nice and moist. I keep reading the recipe but can't seem to figure out where you use the 1/3 cup of cocoa in the brownie portion. Anyways, I made them without cocoa powder and they were still good. 🙂
Brenda
Thanks it was missing, I just included it now.
Kelly
My husband is allergic to quinoa what could I use instead?
Brenda
I'm sorry I've not made this with any substitutions for the quinoa.
MJ
To keep it fully keto, I would suggest substituting heavy cream( which has no sugar) for the milk( which does have sugar). I wonder if you think this would work and if the cream should be diluted with a bit of water?. Also oh, can these be frozen do you think and if so how do you recommend freezing them. They look wonderful many thanks
Bree
Do you think I could use Cacao powder instead of coco powder for an extra punch of protein?
Brenda
I think that would work to sub the cocoa powder.
Annik
I try with 1/4 cup cacao powder insted of coco powder, I found it very strong taste! What is coco powder?
Brenda
The better the cocoa powder the stronger the taste, yes I do believe it could have been that or it could be the brand of stevia you are using.
Susan
Can u use coconut cream instead of heavy cream? I have a dairy allergy.
Brenda
Yes I do think it would work for you. I have not tried it so will you let me know how it works for you?
Melissa
So if I wanted to use dates, how would I sub them into the recipe?
Tara@PNWRunner
What a great way to make brownies a bit healthier!! These would be a yummy treat for the Superbowl!
Brenda
Thanks Tara!
MOrgan
These sound so wonderful! I can't wait to try them out!!
Kim | Just For Clicks
I've never thought to sub quinoa for flour! What a GREAT idea. Love that this will make a great after school snack with my kiddos. Pinning to try this soon!!!
Brenda
Thanks Kim, my kids loved them!
Jeanette | Jeanette's Healthy Living
Love these little chocolate quinoa bites! Couldn't ask for more in a healthy treat!
Brenda
Thanks Jeanette!