Quite often in the evening I get hungry and need a snack before bed. This is a-ok in my book! My go to snack is usually a mug full of cereal, but low and behold we were out of milk last night. Plus I wanted something crunchy…
After racking my brain (which is difficult to do when I’m both tired & hungry), I decided I wanted granola. But alas, a small spark of creativity came out of nowhere, and I decided I’d make quinoa granola! Then I’d have an awesome oat topper in the morning.
So that’s exactly what I did:
Quinoa Granola
1/4 c uncooked quinoa
1 T flax seed
1 T sweetener (agave, honey, molasses, maple syrup)
1/2 t cinnamon
Mix it all together and spread thinly on a greased baking sheet. Bake at 350 for 8-10 minutes or so. Let it cool for a bit, then break it up into little quinoa chunks.
I used agave & molasses, but only because my honey was MIA. Of course I found it 5 minutes after the granola was done.
I was a little hesitant about what I’d just made with the first bite, but then I took another…and another… it’s good, just different! A little nuttier and a little crunchier than traditional granola. Next experiment will be oats and quinoa together!
What’s the deal with quinoa anyways?
Quinoa (keen-wah)- although it looks like (and is used like) a grain, it’s actually the seeds of a grain-like plant. It’s gained popularity recently for it’s stellar nutrition profile:
-High protein content (12-18%)
-Complete protein source (all essential amino acids- unlike rice)
-Good source of fiber, magnesium, and iron.
-(And gluten-free!!)
Quinoa comes in red & white varieties- they seem pretty similar, but the red quinoa I was looking at had twice the fiber of the white, so I went for it.
It’s usually cooked like rice or other grains- or you can make granola 
And then you have another oatmeal topper to choose from!
Breakfast
I’m the loving the morning sun we’ve had the past few days, so I took my coffee outside to enjoy it.
My oats this morning included pumpkin & cottage cheese, topped with sunflower seeds, Go Lean Crunch Honey Almond Flax, and a bit of my new quinoa granola. And PB.
So many good flavors going on in this bowl 
I love eating breakfast in the sunshine!
Have you tried quinoa? What’s your favorite grain?
{ 14 comments… read them below or chime in }
I’ve been seeing quinoa granola around Blog World– I need to try this! I bet it has awesome crunch!
Have a great day, Heather!
I actually have a big box of quinoa I need to use, so I should try this instead of buying more cereal this week!! Random, but I love the reflection of the trees on the table in your pics- makes them eerily pretty. Hope you have a great Monday!!
I really like quinoa but have yet to toast it like that. I saw a post from Angela at Oh She Glows for a maple quinoa cereal (granola) that I’ve been wanting to try that would be very similar to this. Thanks for sharing!
Ooh I’ve been looking to try quinoa granola for a long time! I’m definitely giving this a try! It looks super crunchy and tasty! Perfect since I’m working my way through a 4lb bag of quinoa!
Have a great day!
I love quinoa!! It’s so great and the flavor is completely unique – I remember seeing it at the store for the first time and I was like “Wow, have to try that!”
I also recently made and tried amaranth and I must say I really like it! After cooking it becomes kind of gooey in a good way and is like a breakfast porridge. It tastes wonderful too!
I love quinoa, but I’ve never had it as a granola. Sounds great, though. As much as I love a bunch of different grains, I’d have to say my favorite is the old standby: oats. I eat oatmeal every morning so I guess it tops my list.
I love quinoa! It is so tasty and so good for you! You really can’t beat it. I have not tried it in granola…yet but I will soon! I made a pudding out of it and it was so good! Favorite grain…definitely oats!
Quinoa isn’t my favourite grain but I do make it from time to time. It has a very strong flavour that, I find, can dominate a dish.
I love your quino granola! I pronounced it “QUIN-OH-UH” for the longest time lol
I’ve never tried it, but I want to!
I’ve made some quicky quinoa granola and I liked the flavor quite a bit! I agree it’s probably better with some oats mixed in!
Your quinoa granola looks wonderful!! I love quinoa!! And Andrew and I love that it’s a gluten free grain and so healthy!!
OH MY YUM!!!!! That quinoa granola looks very tasty. I have never thought to make quinoa into granola. I think I have project for this evening!!! Can’t wait to try it!
i LOVE quinoa sweet-i bet id love this! it sounds AWESOME girl!
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