Cacao Pops
Serves 4
- 130g of Quinoa Pops - You can use puffed rice too
- 25g of Cacao Powder
- 1 Teaspoon of Vanilla Powder or 1 Vanilla Pod
- 60ml Melted Coconut Oil
- 60ml Maple Syrup
This is my healthy twist on the childhood classic. Kids (and grown ups!) will love this more nutritious version- it’s the perfect texture, full of antioxidant rich cacao flavour and, of course, it turns the milk chocolatey too. The sneaky vanilla powder makes it taste extra sweet without using loads of sweetener and the quinoa pops will fill little ones with loads of energy and a protein boost too. I recommend doubling the recipe, they’re that good! 
Preheat the oven to 160’C. Add the quinoa pops to a large bowl. In a small bowl, combine the cacao powder and vanilla powder and mix well.
In a small saucepan on medium heat, melt together the coconut oil and honey/maple syrup. Stir in the cacao/vanilla powder and whisk well.
Gradually, while mixing the quinoa pops, pour the chocolate mixture into the large bowl. Keep mixing the quinoa pops until they’re all evenly chocolatey.
Spread the mixture out evenly on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake at 160’C for 8-10 minutes, just until dry and crisp. Toss once in the middle.
Leave to cool completely, then store in an airtight jar.
9 Comments to Cacao Pops
What a cool idea! I would have never thought to do this. Yum!
Hi! Would puffed rice work instead of quinoa pops please? X
Yes it would. Enjoy!x
Hi Indy,
This sounds great! Where do you get quinoa pops? I’ve never seen them
Love the idea of this recipe and tried it last night but my quinoa failed to puff up when I tried to ‘pop’ it so the quinoa remained hard and tasted slightly burnt. The chocolate mix tasted fab and I think this receipt would work really well if only I could get the quinoa pops right. Any tips? Also can I use vanilla essence instead of powder? If yes, how much should I use? Thanks
For this recipe home-popped quinoa doesn’t really work unfortunately. The taste is too nutty and the texture isn’t right. You need to use the puffed kind (like puffed rice) which are often called quinoa pops (I use a brand called biofair), you can get them in good health shops and online. They’re light and airy and really coco pop-y when cooked like this! You can use vanilla essence if you can’t find vanilla powder but powder tastes much sweeter which is why it suits this one. Hope that helps!x
I made these and they are yummy! Have you ever tried to puff the quinoa yourself?
Yes I have- for other recipes I sometimes pop it myself but for this one you really need the very puffy and light texture that you can’t get at home. Home popped is more nutty and crunchy x
I have a 9yr old asthmatic child..did food intolerance test in local health food store,trying dairy n wheat free,also off oat,garlic, egg,corn, carrot, broccoli,beef lamb pork to see if makes difference..struggling with breakfast. .he had buckwheat flakes with hemp milk n honey yest..bowl fruit today but if u have any tips advice would appreciate 0863696733