Crunchy protein granola in 10 minutes!
Recipe | Crunchy protein granola.
A deliciously healthy breakfast or snack that’s easy to make and packed with flavour! Homemade granola is not only a fantastic nutritious option for breakfast but also a perfect snack. By making your own granola, you can control the ingredients and tailor it to your taste preferences. Let's dive into this quick and easy recipe that uses quinoa for a crunchy, protein-rich treat you’ll love!
Why Quinoa?
Quinoa is often hailed as a superfood, and for good reason! Not only does it provide a delightful nutty flavour, when toasted it offers an irresistible crunch, and is a complete protein, containing all nine essential amino acids that our bodies need. This versatility makes quinoa an excellent choice for boosting the nutrition levels of your granola. Additionally, quinoa is gluten-free, making it perfect for those with dietary restrictions.
Despite the misunderstanding that granola can be unhealthy, when prepared with wholesome ingredients like quinoa, nuts, seeds, and dried fruits, it can become a nutrient-dense snack. It’s high in both protein and fibre, helping you feel satisfied and energised throughout the day.
The Benefits of making your own granola
Tailored Ingredients: When you make granola at home, you can choose your favourite nuts, seeds, and dried fruits. You can also control the level of sweetness and opt for unrefined sugars, honey, or maple syrup.
Cost-Effective: Shop-bought granola can be pricey, especially varieties that stay true to health-focused ingredients. Creating your own granola can save you money while allowing you to experiment with flavours!
No Oven Required: This recipe is incredibly versatile. You don’t even need to turn on your oven! Simply use a pan to toast your ingredients evenly. It’s a perfect recipe for any kitchen, regardless of space or equipment.
A Great Gift: Making your own granola for friends or family makes a yummy, heartfelt gift.
Ingredients (makes 500g)
1 cup quinoa (uncooked)
2/3 cup whole oats
2 tablespoons almond butter
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon (or more to taste)
2 tablespoons olive oil
3/4 cup nuts (mixed)
2 tablespoons hemp seeds
1/2 cup pumpkin seeds
3-4 chopped dates (or adjust for sweetness)
3 sliced prunes
1-2 tablespoons dried cranberries
A pinch of sea salt
Steps:
1. Toast the uncooked quinoa in a pan until it begins to pop and turns golden brown. Then remove from the pan and place in a bowl.
2. Toast the oats until golden.
3. Stir in the nuts, almond butter, olive oil and honey or sugar if you are using.
4. Add the quinoa back in, with the seeds, dried fruit and sea salt last and mix until well combined!
5.Spread over a plate and let it cool to achieve that perfect crunch, then serve with yogurt and fresh or stewed berries for a delicious breakfast or snack!🍓
Health Benefits
High in Protein:
Complete Protein Source: Quinoa is one of the few plant-based foods that provide a complete protein, containing all nine essential amino acids. This makes it a fantastic choice for vegetarians, vegans, or anyone looking to enhance their protein intake.
Muscle Repair and Growth: The inclusion of protein-rich ingredients such as quinoa, mixed nuts, and hemp seeds helps in muscle repair and growth, making it an excellent post-workout snack or meal.
2. Rich in Fibre:
Digestive Health: The combination of quinoa, oats, nuts, seeds, and dried fruits results in a high fibre content that promotes digestive health and a healthy gut microbiome.
3. Packed with Healthy Fats:
Heart Health: The inclusion of healthy fats from nuts, seeds, and olive oil contribute to heart health by improving good cholesterol levels and reducing the risk of heart disease. These healthy fats can also help lower chronic inflammation in the body.
Nutrient Absorption: Healthy fats play a vital role in the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, and K), helping your body to better use these essential nutrients.
Variations:
Feel free to get creative! Here are some ideas to enhance your homemade granola:
Add Spices: Experiment with adding spices like nutmeg, ginger, or vanilla extract, especially over holiday periods like Thanksgiving or Christmas.
Incorporate Superfoods: Add in different nutrient dense superfoods like chia seeds, cacao nibs, coconut flakes or functional mushroom powder for extra nutrition and texture.
Try Different Nuts and Seeds: Swap out the mixed nuts for mixed seeds, almonds, walnuts, or pecans to suit your taste.
Serve this crunchy quinoa granola with yoghurt, milk, or enjoy it on its own as a healthy snack.
A simple, delicious, and nutritious homemade quinoa granola recipe that you can customise to your heart's content. Each batch is an opportunity to explore different flavours and add nutrient-dense ingredients to your diet. I hope you enjoy! 💚
Nutritional Information (per 100g):
Calories: 471 kcal
Protein: 16.1 g
Fibre: 7.3 g
About Emily
Emily is a dedicated nutrition therapy student and a qualified IIN (Institute for Integrative Nutrition) health coach who is passionate about empowering others to lead healthier lives through nutrition and lifestyle choices. Emily is enthusiastic about making wholesome, easy-to-prepare meals that nourish both the mind and body and believes that cooking with high quality ingredients is key to achieving optimal health. With a love for exploring diverse cuisines and experimenting with innovative recipe profiles, Emily creates delicious dishes that are not only nutritious but also enjoyable to make and share.
