Brown Butter Quinoa Bars

Pinterest has done it to me again! I really waste too much time browsing and pinning and never actually using what I have pinned.  However, this recipe intrigued me enough that I actually took action so let's get right to the point.

No bake. Browned butter. Game changer.

The taste of browned butter is amazing. It is hard to describe but it is sweet.

If you have never browned butter before don't be afraid. It is really quite simple. Put it on the stove in a pan and turn the heat up to medium. Stir it frequently and just don't leave. You will start to see little brown specks at the bottom of the pan, then a few more, and a few more. Take it off the heat a little before what it looks like in the last picture. It will still brown slightly off the heat. Let it cool.

While the butter is cooling add oatmeal, flax, ground almonds, and cooked quinoa to a bowl and give them a good stir.

The only other things you need are some honey, vanilla, and.........

Delicious dark chocolate chips!

Add the honey, vanilla, browned butter, and chocolate chips to your dry mixture and stir well. You may need to add a little more honey if it looks to dry.

Press the mixture firmly into a pan. I used this one that I believe is 9x7 but an 8x8 would work well too. Use the back of your hand and really press down hard. Because these are no bake you need the mixture good and firm. Put the pan in the fridge for a couple hours to set them. The longer you leave them in the fridge the easier they will be to cut. When I get too anxious they end up just being a crumbled mess that is more like granola than a bar. While that would be good too, do try to be patient.

After your have waited patiently you can then cut into these little pieces of heaven. Miles and I could seriously sit and eat the pan in one sitting if no one would know or if I wouldn't suffer from guilt or weight gain!

These really are so simple you must give them a try. I have tried a few other Pinterest recipes that have been not so hot but this has turned out to be one of our very favorite snacks and I love the ingredient list!

 Here is the link to the recipe that I found on this blog How Sweet It Is through my endless hours of Pinteresting. Guess what? I didn't change anything! If you want a little more detailed instructions go over there. Her bars seem to hold together very nicely.

No-Bake Brown Butter Quinoa Bars

1 1/4 cups old fashioned rolled oats

1 cup cooked quinoa (cool it off)

1 cup chopped almonds

1/2 cup ground flaxseed

1/4 tsp. salt

1/3 cup honey

1/4 cup unsalted brown butter (allow to cool slightly)

1 tsp. pure vanilla extract

3/4 cup chocolate chips

Directions:

Add butter to pan and cook over medium heat stirring frequently until it begins to brown. Remove from heat and set aside to cool. In a large bowl add oats, quinoa, almonds, flaxseed, and salt and stir well. Add honey, browned butter, and vanilla and stir well. Fold in the chocolate chips. Press the mixture firmly into a pan (8x8, 9x9, 9x7 will all work) and refrigerate for at least 2 hours. Cut into bars and enjoy.