These savory snack bars are full of whole grains, vegan protein, and real food ingredients! Vegan Savory Italian Quinoa Bars will be your new favorite easy breakfast. Gluten-free, fiber-rich, and totally plant-based.
Whole grains have always been an important part of my diet. Ever since I was little, my parents always had whole grain bread in the house and brown rice was served over white alongside dinner. I’ve always loved the taste of whole grains over refined or processed grains and over the years I’ve tried my fair share of unique grain products.
Farro. Wheat berries. Kamut. Spelt. Barley. Freekeh. Millet. Being a healthy food blogger, I’ve tried them all!
But my old tried and true standby is quinoa. Although it’s technically a seed, quinoa is classified as a whole grain and is a great source of plant protein and fiber. One cup serving contains about 8 grams of protein and 5 grams of fiber. Also, unlike most plant proteins, quinoa is a COMPLETE protein, meaning that it contains all nine essential amino acids that our bodies cannot make on their own. So it’s definitely a food you want to include in your diet if you eat mostly plant-based.
Quinoa is also naturally gluten-free and has nutty, neutral flavor that’s perfect for pairing with all sorts of other healthy ingredients. While I usually cook it as a side dish for dinners, in an effort to simplify my busy weeks, I wanted to make some sort of savory breakfast item that can just pull out of the fridge for quick meals anytime! The result is the Savory Italian Quinoa Bars I am sharing today.
Savory Italian Quinoa Bars
These easy to make savory quinoa bars are the perfect alternative to an egg-based breakfast! They’re full of filling fiber as well as plant-based protein from both the quinoa and the vegan protein powder from Natreve.
You all already know my obsession with Natreve Wellness protein and while I LOVE their flavored varieties, their unflavored whey and vegan proteins work amazingly well in savory recipes!
Why Natreve?
Natreve has 3 different lines of protein to accommodate everyone’s different needs.
Their whey line is made with grass-fed collagen for the highest purity & absorption. It’s also:
- 100% New Zealand Whey Isolate
- Grass-fed, Hormone-free, Non-GMO, Gluten-free
- Organic greens, probiotics
- 28g protein per serving
Their Vegan line is honestly the best vegan protein I’ve ever had…in terms of taste, texture, AND nutrition. Each of their flavors is:
- 100% Vegan
- Multi-sourced plant-based protein complex from sprouted & ancient grains
- Gluten-free, Non-GMO
- Contains organic greens and probiotics
- 25g protein per serving
Their Keto Collagen line is for those looking to improve skin and hair health or are following the keto diet. But really it’s great for any one and everyone given all the good stuff it’s got inside:
- 100% pure grass-fed rBGH hormone-free whey isolate
- Collactive™ pure marine collagen
- MCT 70 Acacia
- 10g protein, 13g fats, 1g sugar, 2g net carbs per serving
As I’ve mentioned before, my favorite thing about Natreve proteins (aside from the taste and texture of course!) is that all of their products contain added greens. So you’re getting a ton of important vitamins and minerals with every serving. No other protein on the market can compare!
They taste like PIZZA!
A few things I love about these bars…
- They’re super easy to make (basically just mixing everything in a bowl and baking…you can even use pre-cooked quinoa!)
- They’re naturally gluten-free and vegan with no added oil or sugar!
- They’re full of protein, fiber, and even healthy fats for the ultimate HUNGER crushing combo.
- They’re bite-sized, handheld snacks with TONS of savory pizza flavor! Healthy, cheesy, and SO delicious.
But don’t take my word for it…try them for yourself!
Savory Italian Quinoa Bars
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 22 mins
- Total Time: 25 mins
- Yield: 9 bars 1x
- Category: Savory Snacks
Ingredients
1/2 cup Natreve Wellness unflavored vegan protein
2 cups cooked quinoa
1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk
1 cup vegan mozzarella cheese (I like Parmela Creamery!)
1 cup chopped bell peppers and onions
1/4 cup vegan parmesan (or nutritional yeast)
1/2 cup tomato basil pasta sauce
2 tbsp ground flax + 2 tbsp water (mix with the water and let sit for about 2 minutes before adding to the rest of the ingredients)
1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon garlic powder
salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Spray a baking dish with cooking spray and set aside.
Add all of the ingredients to a large bowl and mix until fully combined.
Scoop the mixture in a baking dish and press down evenly.
Bake for 22-25 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool completely before slicing into 9 bars. Store in the fridge for up to 5 days.
The smell in my kitchen as these tasty bars were baking rivaled that of a NYC pizzeria. Gooey melty cheese and italian herbs scenting the air…so much goodness!
These savory bars are good served hot or cold, but I recommend dipping them in extra marinara sauce! Perfect for munching on for an easy breakfast or quick snack between meals.
Check out these other recipes made with Natreve Protein…
Chocolate Cherry Mocha Brownie Bites
Baked Banana Pumpkin Spice Snack Bars
Peanut Butter and Jelly Protein Hummus
3-Ingredient Vegan Protein Ice Cream with Hidden Veggies
Coconut Gingerbread Protein Muffins
Chocolate Covered Strawberry Protein Muffins
What are your favorite whole grains?
Have you ever baked with quinoa before?
What’s your favorite savory breakfast?
DISCOUNTS ON MY FAVORITE HEALTH PRODUCTS! Stay connected:Instagram: HealthyHelperSnack Instagram: SnackLikeaChampFacebook: Healthy HelperTwitter: @Healthy_HelperPinterest: Healthy_HelperTikTok: SnackLikeAChampShop with me on Amazon. Favorite products, fun finds, and more!
Discover more from Healthy Helper
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
15 responses to “Savory Vegan Italian Quinoa Bites [gluten-free + high protein]”
Leave a Reply
This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.
Such an interesting use of quinoa! It’s such a superfood that I’m always looking for new ways to eat it… This is a fabulous idea. Thank you!
Thanks Kate! Let me know if you try them!
I prefer brown rice, but these look like a really yummy way to have quinoa. I love the idea of making it into a portable easy snack or quick breakfast or lunch or dinner.
Thanks Em! You would LOVE these!!
Your Quinoa Bites look awesome! Hope you are having a great day and thanks so much for sharing with us at Full Plate Thursday and come back to see us real soon!
Miz Helen
★★★★★
Thank you Helen! Enjoy!
[…] Savory Italian Quinoa Bites […]
I’m not a huge fan of quinoa but those look really good! Pinning to try later! Thanks for sharing at the What’s for Dinner party and have a great weekend!
Thanks Helen! Let me know what you think!
Your Italian Quinoa Bites are awesome and thanks so much for sharing with us at Full Plate Thursday.
Come Back Soon!
Miz Helen
★★★★★
Thanks Helen!
[…] These pizza-flavoured snacks are full of whole grains and real food ingredients! Savoury Italian Quinoa Bites will be your new favourite finger food for munching on between meals or serving as a tasty appetizer! Gluten-free, wholesome, and incredibly flavorful via Healthy Helper Blog. […]
Thanks so much for sharing at the What’s for Dinner party. It’s people like you and your amazing food that has made this party successful!! Have a wonderful day!
quinoa yes a high protein food, such a delicious way to use it. Thanks for the content.
Yes indeed!!