Chocolate Strawberry Crunch Treats

Here is a healthified spin on a vintage treat, made with rice krispies when I was a child, and now with some added incredibly nutritious and delicious ingredients! This is one healthy, quick to make, fabulous snack!

Puffed quinoa may not be readily available when you live (I find them at health food stores in the cereal aisle) so finely crumbled rice cakes make a great alternative, as do rice krispies (look for brown rice krispies if you want to make these the nostalgia way). Quinoa is an antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, gluten-free superfood, an ancient grain, a healthy carb and a complete plant-based protein food containing all 7 amino acids, rich in fiber, magnesium and iron.

Rice cakes (pick those made with brown rice if available!) are low-calorie, gluten-free, are an antioxidant food and contain manganese, magnesium, zinc and niacin.

Freeze-dried strawberries (I find these at bulk food stores and at our Canadian Dollarama stores) are a great source of vitamin C, folate, help with collagen production, are an antioxidant and an anti-inflammatory. With the process of dehydrating or freeze-drying the strawberries, their taste can be deliciously intensified while not losing the nutritional value.

Chia seeds are an antioxidant supporting heart health, an anti-inflammatory, a good source of soluble fiber for healthy digestion and gut health, contain magnesium and phosphorous for bone health, a rich source of Omega-3 fatty acids and are a rich source of plant-based calcium.

Beet Root Powder (this is optional when making these but they add a wonderful flavour. Again, this is something I find at my local healthy food store.) is an antioxidant, an anti-inflammatory, supports the immune system, contains nitric oxide which supports healthy blood vessels and blood flow, supports digestion and gut health, and has a naturally delicate sweet flavour.

Use any kinds of freeze-dried, or dried fruit, you like in this recipe, blueberries, raspberries, apple, banana, peaches, apricots, cranberries, raisins… all are delicious!

As always, when you make this recipe, I would love to see your creation so please post a photo of your Chocolate Strawberry Crunch Treats goodness and tag my IG account #RenataCollective or leave a comment with your thoughts!

Prep Time: 10 minutes / Cook Time: No cook time / Cool Time: 1 hour / Servings: 12 made in a regular muffin tin

Ingredients

1½ Cups Chocolate Chips (I use half semi-sweet and half dark)
1 Tablespoon Coconut Oil
1½ Cups Puffed Quinoa (or rice krispies) or 4 Rice Cakes – finely crumbled by hand, a rolling pin or in a food processor
1 Cup Freeze-dried Strawberries – chopped
1 Tablespoon Chia Seeds
1 Tablespoon Beet Root Powder - optional
Coarse Grain Sea Salt – optional – to top the treats with

How It’s Made

Prep your muffin tin by silicone or paper liners in each cup.
If using rice cakes, crumble them by breaking them up, and 1) put them in a baggie and using a rolling pin to crumble them into very small pieces, but not powder, or 2) pulse them in a food processor until you have very small pieces.
In a large microwave safe bowl (I use my 4-cup glass measuring cup), melt the chocolate chips with the coconut oil in the microwave in 30 second intervals, stirring after each 30 seconds, until the chocolate is melted and smooth. Or you can melt the chocolate chips with the coconut oil on your stove top on very low heat, stirring constantly until melted and smooth. Remove from heat immediately.
Stir in the quinoa, or crumbled rice cakes, the strawberries, chia seeds and beet root powder (if using).
Mix together until everything is covered in the chocolate.
Take a heaping tablespoon of the mixture and drop it into each cup. Press each with the back of a spoon so they are compacted in each cup, smoothing the top as best you can – sometimes a strawberry will be poking up!
Add a tiny pinch of sea salt to each cup top – if using.
Put in the fridge to harden for an hour or so. They will be hard when they come out so if you want it a bit softer, leave out for 5 minutes before biting into a treat!
Store the treats in the fridge in an airtight container or in a baggie that seals well.

Enjoy!