Granola With Popped Quinoa

Updated June 16, 2023

Granola With Popped Quinoa
Andrew Scrivani for The New York Times
Total Time
1 hour
Rating
4(178)
Comments
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Quinoa that is toasted until the seeds begin to pop is crunchy, but not hard, with a flavor both grassy and nutty. They enrich this granola in the nicest way, adding texture and flavor, as well as a bit of “stealth health” — the popped quinoa bumps up the protein content.

Featured in: Granola Is Enriched With Popped Quinoa

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Ingredients

Yield:About 9 cups
  • ½cup quinoa (do not use red or black quinoa)
  • 4cups flaked or rolled oats
  • 1cup oat bran
  • 1cup coconut chips
  • 1 to 1½cups coarsely chopped nuts (preferably a mix of almonds, pecans and cashews), to taste
  • ¼cup pumpkin seeds or sunflower seeds
  • ½ to 1teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg, to taste
  • 1tablespoon ground cinnamon
  • ½teaspoon salt
  • 3tablespoons coconut oil
  • 3tablespoons grapeseed or canola oil
  • ½cup agave syrup
  • 1tablespoon vanilla extract
Ingredient Substitution Guide
Nutritional analysis per serving (14 servings)

309 calories; 18 grams fat; 6 grams saturated fat; 0 grams trans fat; 7 grams monounsaturated fat; 3 grams polyunsaturated fat; 34 grams carbohydrates; 5 grams dietary fiber; 7 grams sugars; 8 grams protein; 87 milligrams sodium

Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

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Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Place quinoa in a wide skillet and heat over medium heat. Stir or shake the pan and toast until the quinoa begins to pop and smell like popcorn, 5 to 7 minutes. As soon as the quinoa is popping, pour into a very large bowl and allow to cool.

  2. Step 2

    Heat oven to 300 degrees. Line 2 sheet pans with parchment. Add all of the remaining dry ingredients to the bowl with the quinoa and toss together.

  3. Step 3

    In a saucepan, combine the oils, agave syrup and vanilla. Warm over low heat, stirring, just until the mixture is fluid. You can also heat in a microwave at 50 percent power for 30 to 60 seconds. Do not let it come to a simmer. Remove from the heat, stir to blend, and stir into the dry ingredients. Mix until evenly coated.

  4. Step 4

    Divide the granola mixture between the two sheet pans and spread evenly to cover the parchment in a thin layer. Bake, without stirring, for 30 to 35 minutes or until golden, rotating the baking pans front to back and top to bottom halfway through. Remove from the heat and allow to cool before storing. Break it up into clumps if you'd like. Store in well-sealed jars, bags or containers.

Tip
  • This granola will keep for several weeks in a well-sealed jar.

Ratings

4 out of 5
178 user ratings
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Comments

Why not red or black quinoa? Is there a good reason for the prohibition?

I've read a few recipes on puffed quinoa. Unless the brand you use already comes pre-washed, instructions call for rinsing the quinoa, and allowing it to dry overnight or for a few hours prior to puffing. I made a batch before learning this so I puffed the quinoa and added it to my granola mix. I haven't discerned any noticeable bitterness from the saponin. However, if I make this recipe again, I will probably rinse the quinoa first.

The bitter flavor is due to saponins on the outside of the quinoa. Rinsing will remove the saponins, and reduce the bitter flavor.

Great stuff. It goes anywhere in a vacuum sealed bag. I can't stop eating it! Help...

I like to add 1/2 cup of quinoa which I pop by toasting in a dry skillet. Amps up the protein

Subbed olive oil for coconut

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