Description
Healthy and simple, this delicious almond vanilla granola is perfectly crunchy and filled with fun mix-ins like sesame seeds and quinoa. Enjoy as a tasty breakfast or healthy snack.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
- 1 cup uncooked quinoa*
- 1/2 cup almonds, roughly chopped
- 1/4 cup raw pumpkin seeds
- 2 tablespoons sesame seeds
- 1/4 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
- 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
- 3 tablespoons coconut oil, melted
- 3 tablespoons raw, local honey
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 325°F.
- Rinse the uncooked quinoa in a mesh strainer under cold, running water.
- Roughly chop the almonds*.
- Combine quinoa, chopped almonds, pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds, shredded coconut, cinnamon and salt together in a mixing bowl.
- In another small mixing bowl, combine melted coconut oil, honey and vanilla extract.
- Pour the liquid mixture over the dry mixture. Stir until mixed thoroughly.
- Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. Spread mixture evenly on the tray to avoid overcrowding the ingredients.
- Bake for approximately 25 minutes. Every 6 minutes, remove the pan from the oven and gently press down on the granola with the back of a large spatula to help it clump together. Then rotate the tray and place it back in the oven. Be sure to keep an eye on the granola in the final minutes as it can burn easily. The granola is done when the quinoa and almonds are lightly browned.
- Remove from the oven and let the granola cool completely on the baking sheet. The granola will crisp up further and create quinoa granola clumps during this time.
- Break up the mixture and store in airtight container in the cupboard.
- Enjoy as a snack or on top of your favourite breakfast bowl.
Notes
- It's wise to use a rimmed baking sheet: The edges ensure no granola falls off during baking.
- Soaking quinoa: If you experience digestive distress from pseudo grains like quinoa, consider soaking the quinoa ahead of time. You can learn all about soaking grains in this post.
- Chopped almonds: You can buy chopped almonds from the grocery store, but they're very easy to make at home. While it can be done with a knife, I find it easiest to place whole almonds in a ziploc bag and smash them with a meat hammer (or similar object).
Keywords: healthy breakfast, granola