Choc Rice & Pumpkin Seed Puffs

Calling all young adventurers! Prepare for a tasty journey with my homemade choc rice & pumpkin puffs. Packed with yummy chocolatey goodness, crispy rice puffs, and a secret ingredient – pumpkin seeds- this cereal is delicious and super nutritious. Sweetened with pure maple syrup, it's a kid-friendly breakfast or snack that's sure to be a hit at the breakfast table!

Choc Rice & Pumpkin Seed Puffs

DIETARY: VEG, GF, EF, NF

ALLERGENS: Dairy, Sesame

AGE GROUP: 12 months+

SERVES: 13

PREP: 5 mins

COOK: 15-20 mins

INGREDIENTS:

5 cups (100g) rice puffs or quinoa puffs  

1 cup (150g) pumpkin seeds, crushed into small pieces with a blender 

3 tbsp (60g) cacao powder 

3 tbsp (60ml) maple syrup or raw honey  

1 tbsp (30g) tahini 

3 tbsp (60ml) coconut oil, melted 

1 tsp (5ml) vanilla extract  

Milk of choice, to serve with 

METHOD:

1. Preheat oven to 150°C and line a large baking tray with baking paper.  

2. Place rice puffs and pumpkin seeds in a large bowl.  

3. Combine cacao, maple syrup, tahini, coconut oil and vanilla extract in a small bowl and pour over rice puffs. Stir through until all puffs are coated in the chocolate mixture. 

4. Spread over the baking tray and bake for 15 –20 mins, stirring halfway through. They will crispen up as they cool. 

5. Leave to cool completely on tray. 

STORING LEFTOVERS:
Store in an airtight container in a cool, dry spot in the pantry for up to 2 weeks.

TIPS:

• Prep tips:  
  Use clean/gloved hands to help coat the rice puffs. 
  Make a large batch of the puffs at the beginning of the week and store in an airtight container in the pantry. 

• Allergies: 
  For a sesame-free version: Omit tahini or swap for another seed butter. 
  For a dairy-free version: Swap cow’s milk for soy, coconut or oat milk. 

• Easy ingredient swaps: 
  Swap pumpkin seeds for sunflower seeds or chia seeds. 
  Swap tahini for seed butter. 
  Swap tahini for nut butter of choice. 
  Swap pumpkin seeds for crushed nuts of choice. 

• Additional boosters:  
  Add some chia or flaxseeds to the mix. 

• For fussy eaters: 
  Serve the puffs deconstructed – do not serve the puffs with milk or yoghurt already but allow the child to mix it themselves instead.  

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