Happy Valentine's Day!
If you still don't know what to whip up for your sweetie tonight, I have just the thing you might be craving. Yes, it involves chocolate. Yes, it involves quinoa. Yes, it's super healthy. And yes, you can make it in about five minutes.
Do you have any other excuse not to make these to-die-for dark chocolate quinoa truffles? I don't think so! It's time to tempt that special some with some super chocolatey.
When it comes to truffles, I'm all about the texture. You know the Lindtt chocolate commercial, Do You Dream in Chocolate?, where the whole commercial is decadent, melty chocolate? Where the chocolatier stirs a vat of melted chocolate, where the last shot is that little round ball filled to the brim with a creamy chocolate center?
That's what I look for in a truffle. To me that's magic.
I must admit, I can't quite promise these chocolate quinoa truffles resemble the ones I swoon over on TV, but they are close. With a hard chocolate shell, that cracks when you take a bite, and a luscious, gooey center, you'll still be transported to chocolate heaven.
But there's one major difference between my decadent chocolate quinoa truffles and those outrageously tasty Lindtt chocolates. These truffles are healthy! These chocolates are packed with protein, healthy fats, and fiber, but still taste delicious. Not to mention they're vegan and refined sugar-free too!
So if you want to indulge on this extra special day (with your one and only by your side), but don't want to throw your week of workouts out the window, then pull out your food processor and let's start making truffles!
Dark Chocolate Quinoa Truffles
Ingredients
For the truffles:
- 3 medjool dates pitted
- ½ cup cooked quinoa
- ½ cup flaxseed meal
- 1 scoop protein powder
- ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 – 1½ teaspoon stevia powder
- 2 tablespoons almond butter or your favorite nut butter
- 2 tablespoons honey maple syrup or agave would also work
For the chocolate coating:
- 3 tablespoons coconut oil melted
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
- ½ teaspoon stevia powder
- Sea salt optional as a garnish
Instructions
- Add the dates to a food processor fit with the steel blade and process until finely chopped. Add the remaining dry ingredients and process until incorporated.
- Add the almond butter and process until combined. Slowly add the honey into the top of the food processor, while the machine is on, and mix until a thick dough forms.
- Scoop the dough from the bowl and roll into 1-inch balls with your hand. Cool in the refrigerator for about half an hour.
- While the truffles are cooling, whip up your chocolate coating by adding all the ingredients into a bowl and mixing until a chocolate syrup forms.
- Remove the chocolate balls from the fridge and dunk / roll them in the melted chocolate sauce. Place them on a wire rack to set, and sprinkle with with salt, then transfer them to a parchment lined plate and refrigerate until the chocolate has set, anther half hour or so.
- Store these truffles in the fridge until you’re ready to eat them.
Nutrition
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I don’t do almost any processed foods. Can you recommend or give an idea what to replace protein powder with?
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Hi! Could I use something else other than flax seed flour? (Allergies) Like for example coconut flour? Thanks!
Hi Luschka – Unfortunately, I don’t think that coconut flour would work, but you could give it a try! You could replace the flax with any other nut or seed meal, or try to add another scoop or two of protein powder, but I’m afraid that would really change the flavor. I’ll let you know if I do any more experimenting! Would love to know what you try too 🙂
Yum! I know what you mean about the texture. But as much as I love silky smooth, a little chewier is good too. I bet these are delish!
These are brilliant! And bring on that quinoa cheesecake recipe, please! =)
Thanks Marya! They really were delicious. I’m working on the cheesecake recipe – it came out really amazing, but I think I could add a little more quinoa to make it even healthier. Goat cheese and lemon is my flavor combo. Yummo!
Yum Yum YUM, i think ill have to make these tonight! 🙂
Let me know how you like them! Have a very happy Valentine’s Day 🙂
Quinoa in truffles? What will you think of next?!
I swear, this little seed surprises me everyday! I can’t believe how many different types of foods I can put it in. Tonight…it was cheesecake!
yum yum truffles every day please
Healthy truffles, you just tickle me pink!! I love these gorgeous little guys and would pop them in my mouth all day without feeling an ounce of guilt! I’ll have to feed them to my boyfriend and have him guess the magic ingredients 😉
Hopefully he thinks they’re wildly unhealthy, decadent truffles, then you can surprise him with the actual ingredients 😉 Happy Valentine’s Day!