Quinoa Granola is healthy, easy, toasted, crunchy and most importantly 6 times lower in sugar than any store-bought. Eat in a bowl of milk for healthy breakfast or grab a handful to munch on for a healthy snack!
You will also love my healthy granola, quinoa granola bars, and homemade cereal.
I have never been a fan of store-bought granola because it’s sooo sweet and I would rather save my calories for wine. This quinoa granola recipe is for me though – it contains 6 times less sugar than store-bought and is loaded with superfoods like nuts, chia seeds and quinoa. It is healthy, easy, toasted and crunchy.
I know world might be over quinoa recipes but I am sure not! Chicken quinoa bowl, kale quinoa salad and quinoa falafel are regulars around here.
First of all, toasted quinoa is to die for. Just like that, roast from dry and uncooked. And I hope I don’t have to sell you on roasted almonds. For oats, you can use any kind. Just know that (quick cooking) steel cut oats will yield more crunchy granola, where as rolled oats softer one. Common sense.
I used only 3 tbsp of maple syrup that’s enough to create clusters. It is a very old recipe of mine and it used to call for stevia. That was Olena back then, nowadays I don’t do that. So, that has been updated.
It is important to let granola cool down completely and then break into pieces. Do not stir during or right after baking. Let it cool first. If you don’t like toasted coconut, you can sprinkle it on top after removing granola from the oven or skip it all together.
I enjoy this granola with some pressure cooker yogurt or unsweetened almond milk as a cereal.
How to Make Quinoa Granola
- Preheat oven to 325 degrees F and line baking sheet with parchment paper or silicone mat. In a medium mixing bowl, add oats, quinoa, nuts, chia seeds, salt; stir to combine.
- Add oil, maple syrup and vanilla extract; stir well.
- Spread in an even layer on prepared baking sheet. Bake on a third rack from the bottom for 25 minutes, sprinkle with coconut flakes and bake for 5 more minutes.
- Remove quinoa granola from the oven, let cool completely (do not touch) and after break into pieces.
- Enjoy with yogurt and berries. Or just with almond milk in place of healthy cereal.
More Favorite Quinoa Recipes
You may also love to browse my collection of healthy snack recipes!
Quinoa Granola
Ingredients
- 1 cup rolled oats I used quick cooking steel cut oats
- 1/2 cup quinoa uncooked
- 1/2 cup any nuts coarsely chopped
- 1/4 cup chia seeds
- 1/8 tsp salt
- 3 tbsp coconut melted or avocado oil
- 3 tbsp maple syrup
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup coconut flakes unsweetened
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325 degrees F and line baking sheet with parchment paper or silicone mat.
- In a medium mixing bowl, add oats, quinoa, nuts, chia seeds, salt; stir to combine. Add oil, maple syrup and vanilla extract; stir well.
- Spread in an even layer on prepared baking sheet. Bake on a third rack from the bottom for 25 minutes, sprinkle with coconut flakes and bake for 5 more minutes.
- Remove quinoa granola from the oven, let cool completely (do not touch) and after break into pieces.
I just made this, I subbed Xylitol mixed with 3 tbsp. water, 2 teaspoons maple extract, I used everything else though, I baked it an extra 10 min., and it turned out great, slightly sweet, with a hint of maple, it doesn’t have clusters, but all I care about is that I can have it as something to add to plain Greek yogurt (Greek Gods plain Greek yogurt) it is delicious, thanks for posting 🙂
You are welcome.:)
Oh. My. Goodness. I just made this, and it’s absolutely delicious! I mean, seriously good! I was hesitant to make it, thinking that the quinoa might be too savory for a sweet granola, but I was totally wrong; this stuff is wonderful! I did add cinnamon to your recipe because I love cinnamon, but I did everything else as directed and have nothing but good things to say.
I just found your website through this recipe, but I will definitely become a regular reader. I just had my first child and have about 25 pounds to lose to get back to where I feel comfortable. Your food philosophy is right in line with mine, and your healthy lifestyle is an inspiration to me! Looking forward to more awesome recipes!
Cheers!
Hi, Christy! Great to hear. Roasted quinoa tastes amazing! All roasted nuts and seeds taste great though. Good for you. 25 lbs is totally doable. Just eat real food and listen to your body. I had 50 lbs to lose each time, so you are half way ahead of where I was.LOL
I really like the sound of this recipe! My husband told me to find a granola recipe with flax seeds, quinoa, and chia seeds that is low sugar and healthy. I want to make this into bars…how? Can I more salt to make it saltier? I can’t wait to try this as is with our granddaughters this weekend.
You can add more salt for sure. You can also make these healthy granola bars https://ifoodreal.com/quinoa-granola-bars/ or use that recipe as a guideline for liquids.
When it comes to granola, I am so, so fussy ( I don’t like dried fruit or raisins among other things), which makes buying granola really hard! I’ve decided that since I know what I do and don’t like in my granolas, making it is the best thing to do. Your recipe looks so amazing, I can’t wait to make it! Might add some cacao nibs to chocolate-ify it too! 🙂 This has made me very excited! Mara xxx
Let me know about your flavour experiment.:)
I made this tonight and I was shocked that my husband liked it. Normally he doesn’t try “new” things or anything that could be labeled “healthy” and clean. I left the granola more clustered for easy snacking. This recipe is delicious. Thank you and A+!
You are so welcome.:)
Do you need to rinse the quinoa before baking as you would cooking it in broth or water? Will it be strongly bitter without the rinse?
On a quinoa package I buy it says pre-washed. So I never really rinse my quinoa. I haven’t seen not pre-washed quinoa yet. I wouldn’t rinse it for this recipe anyways. Might change the end result. We want it to be crunchy and roasted.
Good morning Olena!
Yesterday, I made this and I must say it is one of the tastiest things I’ve ever had! What I did was to spread it thin on a large flat baking sheet. When I took it out, as per your instructions, I let it cool completely. Then I broke it into large pieces (some of it became like granola, of course). But I put it in a serving dish like healthy candy brittle! It was gone in about 2 hours! Everyone loved it.
I think this is DANGEROUSLY delicious! It’s totally a diet breaker :):)
You did it again, Olena!
So welcome, honey!!! Your comment made me want it right now. Lol you are so good at selling the food you make. You know what I mean. Have a great weekend!
I am not familiar with Stevia, can I use additional maple syrup as an alternative? Im trying to use up what I already have in my cupboards! 🙂
Yes. Add additional 1 tsp of maple syrup or to taste. Stevia is a natural leaf extract that is used to reduce sugar calories. It is very bitter on its own, to my liking, so it’s good to mix it up with other natural sweeteners.
Thank you, your recipes look amazing! I can tell already I will be trying many of them! I’ve been cooking with quinoa for a while, but only recently discovered chia seeds.. So I am thrilled that I came across your site here!
This looks so great! I only enjoy granola if it’s super-crunchy and this looks like perfection. I like that it’s not too high in sugar either as some granolas are not as healthy as I prefer. Can’t wait to try this recipe out when my current granola stash is finished up!
We speak the same language, Allison.:) I do not like overly sweet foods and this granola is super crunchy. But without braking your teeth crunchy. As I get older and already spent tons of money on crowns and bridges, I appreciate food not wrecking my teeth. I’d rather go for a vacation in Mexico.:) Let me know how this turns out. I loved your cacao almonds! All long gone by now.LOL
Ha, I’m glad you addressed the whole cluster problem…I mean, the clusters just taste better, I don’t know what it is.
Looks great, just started eating rolled oats and I like em!
Love your blog, my grandparents were from the Ukraine and moved here later in life. Cool.
Thank you, Laura! Haha, I always felt like my crowns would give up with those store bought granola clusters. I remade this granola yesterday and it had more clusters than in these pictures. And this granola is so delicious, clusters or no clusters, flavours with every bite. You gotta try! And chia puddings too.;)