Quick, easy and healthy, these Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Bites with Toasted Quinoa are a perfect on-the-go breakfast, after-school snack or sweet treat.
Three months from this past Saturday, I will become Mrs. Chris Miller 😀 WOW!! Looking at those typed words makes me giddy, but my anxiety level goes through the roof!! I am not nervous about getting married, it is all that I have to do for that day!! I am doing pretty good (I think…I haven’t done this before, obviously) but I still have a lot to plan so I desperately need to stay full and focused 😉 That’s why I am excited that my friends at Cheerios inspired me to make these Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Bites with Toasted Quinoa. 
These little gems are packed with good stuff to help me stay full and focused! They are no-bake energy bites that are packed with protein too! The toasted quinoa not only adds a complete protein source but toasting the dry quinoa gives them a nice little crunch too 😆 
I went shopping at my local Publix for the ingredients to make my protein bites with somewhat of an idea what all I was going to include. I knew I would be using my favorite flavor of Cheerios, the Mulit-Grain Peanut Butter ones…I have been known to sit on the couch and eat it straight out of the box…but I wasn’t sure what other flavor I was going to try. I had picked up this BOGO coupon to buy my favorite Cheerios and try a different flavor FREE and I was definitely going to put it to good use. These savings are at your local Publix from 8/13 – 9/2/15.
Hmm….my options…
- Honey Nut
- Original
- Banana Nut
- Frosted
- Multi-Grain Dark Chocolate Crunch
- Multi-Grain Peanut Butter
- Apple Cinnamon
I already new I was getting my fav, Multi-Grain Peanut Butter and I decided to go with the Multi-Grain Dark Chocolate Crunch. That was a new one for me and I love that it is multi-grain too 🙂 
Toast up the quinoa until is is nutty and golden brown, crush up the Cheerios and the peanuts, add the coconut flakes, peanut butter, honey, protein powder and almond milk. 
But before we get to the recipe, my friends at Cheerios have helped me put together a $10 PayPal Giveaway so you can grab all the ingredients for my Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Bites with Toasted Quinoa. a Rafflecopter giveaway 
Here is your recipe for Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Bites with Toasted Quinoa:
- ½ cup quinoa, rinced if needed and dry
- 1½ cup Multi Grain Cheerios Dark Chocolate Crunch
- 1½ cup Multi Grain Cheerios Peanut Butter
- ½ cup dry roasted peanuts
- 1 cup unsweetened coconut flakes
- 1 scoop of your favorite chocolate protein powder
- ⅔ cup natural creamy peanut butter
- ⅓ cup local honey
- ⅓ cup chocolate or regular almond milk
- To toast the quinoa: heat a dry skillet over medium heat. Add quinoa and cook for approximately 5 minutes, stirring frequently. You will know that the quinoa is toasted when it turns a golden brown and smells nutty. Remove from heat and allow to cool.
- Place both kinds of cheerios in a large plastic zipper bag and seal tightly, pressing out as much air as possible. Pound cheerios into crumbs with a meat mallet or the back side of a small skillet. Pour into a large mixing bowl.
- Now place the peanuts in the same large plastic zipper bag and pound them into pieces. Pour into mixing bowl with cheerios.
- Add coconut flakes and protein powder.
- Add peanut butter, honey and almond milk.
- Stir until well combined.
- Place in the freezer for 15-20 minutes to make it easier to roll into balls.
- Form into 1 inch balls.
- Place in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator until ready to eat.
Ok, now it is your turn…which new flavor of Cheerios do you plan on purchasing for your family with this BOGO coupon and what recipe do you plan to create?
Those are so yummy sounding. I love things like this that I can just grab and take with me on the go!
That is a fantastic idea! I love that you used cheerios and a food processor. That makes it so easy!
Not only does this recipe LOOK good, but is such a healthy choice! I just bought my first bag of quinoa so I’m going to give this recipe a go tonight! 😀
Thank so much Tanya!! Quinoa is so great!! This was the first time that I toasted it and it won’t be the last 😉
These look so good! I always have a hard time figuring out what to do with Quinoa. I could easily do this!! Thanks for the idea!
You’re welcome Jeanette!! Make sure to print your BOGO Cheerios coupon before heading to the store!!
Yes please! What a fun snack.
That banana Cheerios kabob recipe is awesome! I’m actually going to be making them for my dogs and replacing the chocolate with carob because obviously no chocolate for the doggies. They have some very cool recipes on there!
I thought that one sounded good too 🙂 I hope your furbaby love them!!
These look like a great snack! I have pinned this for later. We love everything that is in these. Yum.
Those look AMAZING! I’m not much for peanut butter, but these are so good. You bet that I’m going to try this out.
I actually have a box of Cheerios that I need to use and am so glad to have come across this page to find other Cheerio recipes. I think I am going to give their Cheerio breaded shrimp a try!
We always have Cheerios on hand 🙂 I saw the recipe for breaded shrimp and wanted to try it too 🙂
This looks like such a great and healthy snack. I bet with all of the different textures you can really pack in a ton of flavor.
I’d get the same flavors you picked and make this recipe!
Hmm, I am not a huge peanut butter fan but my daughters are. I bet they would really enjoy this! Thanks for sharing!
Thanks Jennifer!! I hope your daughters love this recipe 🙂
Love that these tasty treats are packed with protein from the quinoa and nut butter. I may just have to try these with my homemade almond butter. They’d make a great pre-snack for before a long bike ride.
I keep seeing recipes for the snack bites all over the place – but I have yet to try to make them. I really like quinoa – maybe this is how I can sneak it into my kids?
Definitely!! When you toast the quinoa, it gets a nutty flavor that they will love 🙂
These look like great bites to eat for a snack. It would be great for back to school. I like that it’s not hard to make.
Thanks so much!! They are really easy and tasty 🙂
I really love this recipe and was not aware Cheerios had such varieties as listed.
It is also nice to see some snacks that are tasty and good for you – aka protein loaded.
It would be nice to see – I am curious, how many grams of protein there are in one of these little snack bites. 🙂
Thanks so much Stacey!! I would guess that there is about 4-5 grams of protein per bite 🙂
I’d love to snack on these before my workout. Love the toasted quinoa.
OMG!! Those look so good! I can’t wait for Cheerios to go GLuten FREE!!
Thanks so much Jenn!!
I need to find some small batches of protein powder so I can make these with it. My kids call them oatmeal balls or meatballs lol
The protein powder could be omitted if you can’t find small batches. I would just add some greek yogurt and then omit the almond milk too.
Mmmmm, sounds tasty and doesn’t sound too hard to make. Have to admit, you had me at peanut butter.
I will get Apple Cinnamon Cheerios and try Fruity Cheerios Bites recipe.
I have made protein balls before but never with quinoa! These look fantastic!
The toasted quinoa really adds another layer of flavor 🙂
These would be perfect snacks for me. That chocolate and peanut butter would keep me interested in getting my daily protein.
These look so delicious. I will have to try to make a batch this weekend. I am sure it will be a big hit.
What an awesome idea for snacks. I might omit the coconut since I’m not a huge fan, but I’d love to try this recipe!
You could definitely omit the coconut if you like Elizabeth 🙂 Thanks!!
These energy bites look fabulous! Congratulations on your upcoming wedding. Yes you will need lots of energy for the next three months! These bites need to be handy at all times. Thanks for sharing. My grandkids would love these!
Thank you for the recipe. I will make a batch (or two) for the weekend. My family will love this. I would also make some for my sister and I am sure she will turn green with envy because I am so great in the kitchen. LOL.
Love anything peanut butter and made from sugar …dark chocolate crunchy and has protein I am loving it.
These look so good! I have been looking for recipes using quinoa so I will definitely be making these!
That looks healthy and yummy! I will save this recipe for later. Thanks for sharing.
I love all the ingredients you mixed ! Looks very healthy and high in fiber
Those look just like those Ferrer Rocher hazelnut chocolates. If they taste anywhere near as good as they look, then they will be really delicious.
Thanks Dawn!! I hadn’t thought about them looking like Ferrer Rocher, but they are much better for you!!
Oh so yummy treat! So love to try and taste this.
So easy and they look so tasty! My son would love them too!
This is looks yummy and tasty!! My kids would love this too!! I’m gonna try it out.
Dark chocolate, peanut butter? Yes, please! Your protein bites look delicious and I like that you incorporated the quinoa.
These look awesome and I must say, I got so many additional great ideas for making these from your replies to the comments! Now there’s so many more ways these could be incorporated into a healthy eating style! Love it!
Thanks so much Paula!! My readers are so smart 🙂
These bites look great and I would love to try the peanut butter Cheerios for sure!!
That is awesome you are getting married soon 🙂 Please share photos afterwards…that is so exciting. These protein bites would be perfect in a lunch box.
Perfect little bites of nutrition and deliciousness.
These are definitely a snack I will have to make. I didn’t realize Cheerios made a dark chocolate version or a peanut butter version!
Thanks Lisa!! You have to try the dark chocolate and peanut butter Cheerios!! They are mulit-grain and fabulous!!
Dark Chocolate is the best and the chocolate you can eat. Adding protein is good too!! They look awesome. Thank you for posting this great recipe.
You had me at chocolate and peanut butter 🙂 These protein bites sound lovely, and what a great snack idea!
Chocolate and peanut butter is one of my favorite combos too!! Thanks for stopping by Nicole 🙂
Those looks really good! These would be a nice snack after workout or an after-school snacks for kids.
These bites look like a great snack!
I really like the white chocolate and cheerios bark. The fruity cheerios I haven’t even seen before! Yum! I absolutely love your recipe too! I’m a huge fan of peanut butter, cheerios and quinoa! Gonna try it!
Toasted quiona you say? Oh yes I do think I could happily give this recipe a try.
These sound and look really good. I have heard a lot about quinoa lately. I will have to try these.
I would have never thought to include Cherrios in energy bites, but this is a great idea! Excellent recipes!
Wow these look so tasty! I’ve ever tried quinoa so I’d love to give this a whirl. And anything with Cheerios is OK in my book.
I’m with ya Carin!! Love me some cheerios 🙂 You should really try quinoa, it is fabulous!!
Becky, what are you doing to me? How am I supposed to go on now, without any sweets in my flat? Those look amazing!
I’m so sorry Katarina!! But it’s healthier for you 😉
How delicious! I love dark chocolate and peanut butter together, so I will definitely have to try this sometime.
This sounds like a really delicious treat and I’d love to try it sometime! Thanks so much for the recipe!
You’re welcome Michelle!! Thanks for stopping by 🙂
oh . . . the coconut and Cheerios macaroons look yummy with Chocolate Cheerios!
Thanks Marcy!! The Dark Chocolate Crunch Cheerios are amazing!!
Oh I would love to try the Banana Nut and try their recipe for the Banana Nut Cheerios Energy Bars! YUM
I love the idea of a protein snack especially with chocolate. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks Rosemary!! Glad you stopped by 🙂
These look wonderful! I really will try this recipe soon. I love Cheerios so much and my fave will always be honey nut!
Thanks Tiffany!! Honey Nut Cheerios are amazing!! Tried and true 🙂
I want to try the Chocolate Cheerios. I would make the Chocolate Cheerios™ Bars with Hazelnut Spread
I want to try the Multi Grain Cheerio Peanut Butter cereal and make the Banana Peanut Butter Cheerios Smoothie
I want to try the Multi Grain Cheerios Peanut Butter cereal and make the Banana Peanut Butter Cheerios Smoothie
I would love to buy the apple cinnamon cheerios and I would love to try the No-Bake Chocolate Yogurt and Cheerios Pie