You know all about me and granola. You know how I cannot stay away. My hand is always in the jar before, during and after it’s done. It’s just not pretty. I end up with a smile and a stomachache. For some reason, I just can’t stop making it…but this time was different…sort of.
What’s different is the fact it’s quinoa based…the stomachache and the smile are still there. It could be worse.
This granola is a nice change from oat based granola because it is sweeter and crunchier. It also taster lighter for some reason, so you can eat more…obviously.
Inspired by The Edible Perspective
Ingredients
- 1 cup dry quinoa, rinsed well
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1 2/3 cups water
- 2 tsp vanilla
- 1 tsp maple syrup
- 1/2 cup oats
- 1/3 cup puffed millet
- 1/4 cup almond butter
- 1/4 cup ground flax, in 1/2 cup water, let sit for 5 minutes
- 1/4 cup chia seeds
- 2 tbsp shelled hemp
- 1/4 tsp sea salt
- 1/4 cup agave nectar
- 1/4 cup almonds
- 1/4 cup walnuts
Preheat oven to 325 degrees. In a medium sized saucepan bring the quinoa, cinnamon, maple syrup, vanilla and water to a boil. Once it comes to a boil, lower the heat to to a simmer and let cook for about 15 minutes until the liquid is absorbed. Let quinoa totally cool before continuing with the rest of the recipe. In a large mixing bowl add oats, millet, cooled quinoa, chia seeds, hemp and sea salt. Mix together. Add in the wet ingredients, almond butter, agave nectar, and flax mixture. Mix until combined.
Place a piece of wax paper on a baking sheet. Spread quinoa mixture over baking sheet. Bake for 1 hour, mixing around every 15 minutes. If sections start to brown toward the end, remove them and let the rest bake. You can also lower the oven to 300 degrees if you need to. When there is 15 minutes left, sprinkle the almonds and walnuts over the quinoa mixture to bake.* Let cool before eating.
* If you want the nuts more toasted, then put them in with 30 minutes left.
I also added some goji berries and cacao nibs to the mixture after. Dried fruit would be great too! If you want it to be gluten free, just leave out the oats, or use gluten free oats.
What are your favorite granola add ins?
I’m off to try the Refine Method in the city with Erica. So excited to tell you about how it goes!
{ 11 comments… read them below or add one }
I love reading the recipes you come up with! I just wish I had time to replicate them!
Colleen @ The Lunchbox Diaries recently posted..Dutch Date Night
Yet another thing I’d never think to make! Looks delicious.
Elizabeth@The Sweet Life recently posted..Things I Love
I tried to make quinoa granola once, but I ended up burning it. I need to give it another go!
Christopher just made granola for the first time yesterday and he is absolutely loving it. He’s been eating it straight up with a spoon (no milk, no mix in… just granola). He loves it.
I’m not much of a granola fan, but I like the idea of using it to add crunch to a salad.
MelissaNibbles recently posted..Could It Be OCD
YUM looks so so so good! i love the idea of quinoa granola!!
yum this looks so yummy. my hand would be in the jar like yours!
Yum, what a great idea!
Granola is awe.some. I’m thinking I should make this one since I’ve been wanting some good granola! And great job holding that handstand pose~
wow-i love this…I actually thought last night about putting quinoa with this new granola I got:)
What a great quinoa recipe. I’ve made a sweet quinoa salad before, and this is one more new twist I definitely want to try.
Thanks for sharing!