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
About Brenda
Brenda Bennett is a certified Nutritional Therapy Practitioner, certified Sugar Detox Coach, certified Keto Coach and certified Life Coach. She has been Sugar Free & Refined carb free for 17 years and has written 2 cookbooks, Sugar-Free Mom, and Naturally Keto and her 3rd book The 30-Day Sugar Elimination Diet, is a four part program to help you detox from sugar, eliminate cravings, balance blood sugar and lose weight all while eating a delicious, nutrient dense whole foods. Meal plan offers two tracks to follow, low carb or keto. She is the founder of the Sugar Free Fresh Start course and Sugar Free Tribe weight loss membership. Learn more.
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!