I’m not going to lie…this recipe wasn’t originally intended to be a granola recipe. I set out to make a no-bake granola bar which flopped, literately! They flopped, fell apart, crumbled into pieces! The mixture of peanut butter, spices and vanilla tasted so good I couldn’t let it go to waste! Instead, I threw it all on parchment paper and baked it until it was a perfect golden crisp granola!
This is the first time I have used uncooked quinoa in a granola recipe. Since quinoa is technically a seed it makes sense to eat it uncooked similar to chia or sesame seeds. It adds a nice crunch!
Great Grains Granola
2 cups old fashioned oats
1 cup raw sunflower seeds
1/2 cup raw slivered almonds
1/2 cup uncooked quinoa
1/2 cup ground flax seeds
1/4 cup chia seeds
1/4 cup maple syrup
1/4 cup honey
1/4 cup peanut butter
1/4 cup coconut oil
1/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon sea salt
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 cup raisins
-Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Place sunflower seeds and almonds on baking sheet in a single layer. Bake for 10-15 minutes or until lightly golden, stirring occasionally. Remove and set aside.
-Lower oven temperature to 300 degrees. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
-In a large saucepan over low heat, melt coconut oil, peanut butter, vanilla, maple syrup and honey. Stirring until well mixed.
-In a large bowl, mix together uncooked quinoa, ground flax seeds, chia seeds, toasted sunflower seed/almond mixture, sea salt, cinnamon and nutmeg. Stir until combined.
-Add wet and dry ingredients and stir well to combine.
-Evenly distribute onto two baking sheets and place in 300 degree oven.
-Bake for 50-60 minutes stirring every 10-15 minutes to prevent burning and to create an even golden color.
-Remove from oven, let cool and add raisins.
-Serve with almond milk and berries or yogurt, enjoy!
Enjoy with sliced berries and almond milk or on top of yogurt! Chock full of fiber, protein, omega 3’s, vitamins and minerals it’s a great way to start your day!
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