Our Toasted Coconut Quinoa Granola is crunchy, nutty and the best thing ever to layer with creamy yogurt, fresh berries and gingery maple syrup. (recipe included!)
This quinoa granola is Naturally gluten free, high in protein and ridiculously quicn and easy to make. You're going to love this granola for breakfast and it's also a great crunchy topping for ice cream - just sayin!
Quinoa Granola
Quinoa is such a versatile ingredient. I never really thought of using quinoa for granola until I was served a delicious pasta dish with crunchy quinoa topping at a restaurant.
It was that delicious crunchy quinoa topping let me to develop this quinoa granola recipe. And it couldn't be simpler to make. Just toast raw quinoa, sliced almonds and shredded coconut in a dry skillet until golden brown. You're gonna love the crunch and the irresistible nutty flavors in this quinoa granola.
I decided to keep this granola fat free, dairy free and sugar free. It's easy to add any level of desired sweetness when serving. Drizzle with honey or maple syrup or try our delicious gingered maple syrup. The recipe is included below in the recipe card.
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You can prepare all of the components for this yogurt parfait in advance. The coconut quinoa mixture can keep in an airtight container for about 5 days.
The gingered maple syrup can also be made ahead and stored in the fridge for a few days. Fruit can be washed and cut up in advance. If everything is ready ahead, you can assemble the parfait in just a couple of minutes.
I have to thank my sister in law Jen for inspiring this recipe. She and I talk about food a lot! Jen has mentioned, many times, an amazing yogurt & granola parfait with gingery simple syrup that she had on one of her family vacations. She got me craving it, so here's my version!
If you try this quinoa granola recipe, I hope you'll come back to leave a star rating and a comment. I'd love to know what you think!
Recipe
Quinoa Granola Recipe
- Total Time: 25 mins
- Yield: 4 1x
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
Toasted quinoa with coconut and almonds is a high protein, naturally gluten free alternative to granola. Easy to prepare and totally delicious! For a special breakfast treat, make a coconut quinoa yogurt parfait with gingered maple syrup and berries - recipe included!
Ingredients
- ½ cup uncooked quinoa, rinsed in a fine mesh strainer, drained
- ½ cup sliced almonds
- 6 tablespoons unsweetened shredded coconut
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ cup pure maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon peeled, grated ginger root (from a 2-inch piece)
- Plain yogurt
- Mixed berries, washed and cut into bite-sized pieces
- Toasted coconut quinoa
- Gingered maple syrup
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Instructions
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the rinsed quinoa (don't worry if it's damp. The water will evaporate) and cook, stirring and tossing with a spatula, for a minute or so, to evaporate the excess water. Add nuts and coconut. Cook, stirring constantly, for 5-7 minutes more, or until quinoa is a making frequent popping sounds and becomes toasted and golden brown. (lower the heat a bit, if need be, to avoid burning) Spread toasted quinoa mixture out on a plate to cool, sprinkle with salt and toss to mix.
- To make the gingered maple syrup, bring maple syrup and ginger to a boil in a small saucepan. Remove from heat and stir. Set aside to cool. Syrup can be made ahead and will keep in an air-tight container in the fridge for a week. Bring to room temperature before using.
- To assemble parfaits, use tall parfait glasses and alternate two or 3 layers of yogurt, quinoa granola, berries and syrup. Top with a light sprinkling of quinoa granola.
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 10 mins
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Toast
- Cuisine: American
Rob
WOW SO GOOD My family loves this dessert
Carol at Wild Goose Tea
I had no idea you could toast quinoa. But again---Why not. I was drawn in with the word coconut. Yes I am one of those nuts. I love yogurt. This is such an easy way to
make a really delicious healthy dessert. Healthy gets such a bad rap.
Andrea
I used red quinoa, because that's all I had on hand, doubled the ginger(cause I love it) and no coconut and it came out delicious! Can't wait to have it tonight with berries and vanilla ice cream!
Chris Crooks
Got my new dessert for this weekend!
Marian
Oh! I love knowing this. It's another recipe I am going to try out but like the others I also know it's not much of a risk. They are always delicious. Thank you Lisa.
Natty
WOW this sounds delicious. I'm allergic to almonds, can you share any suggestions to substitute almonds. Thanks!
Lisa Goldfinger
Can you eat other nuts besides almonds? I think walnut pieces or pecan halves would be delicious in this! If you can't eat any nuts how about using seeds - I bet pumpkin seeds would be good. Another thought is to use puffed rice cereal - I probably wouldn't toast it for the whole 7 minutes - maybe just throw it in the pan for the last minute or two. I hope that helps!