It is rare that I go back and visit old posts that I have written. However, last night I wanted to see what my top viewed post of all time was. Aside from my homepage, it was my recipe on how to make Pumpkin Maple Quinoa Granola. I just couldn’t ignore it staring back at me. I had to show it once more because I know I have many new readers (HI!) who may not have seen this recipe yet!
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I shouldn’t make promises I can’t keep.. for this, I apologize. I know I said I would “be back later” with copious amounts of recipes. However, I never did say when later was, did I?
Yesterday turned out to be so busy I didn’t know what to do with myself. I had planned on doing a longer run, but somehow time and events just got away from me and that did not happen. Oh well.. another day I suppose. The husband and I ended up seeing “Life as We Know It” last night with the bestie — it was by far one of the best movies I have seen in quite some time. Hilarious, yet I wanted to cry every other scene. You must see it!
I woke up this morning really anticipating my bowl of oats for a couple of reasons: one, I am always a starvin’ marvin when I wake up. Two, I was excited to put some Pumpkin Maple Quinoa Granola on top of it.
Oh yes… you did read correctly. This granola is probably the best thing I have ever created in my entire life. It smelled like fall in my house as it was baking yesterday. This stuff is totally warming my heart today — I love the satisfaction of eating something created solely by me.
Pumpkin Maple Quinoa Granola
What you’ll need:
- 1 cup quinoa
- 1.5 cups almond milk
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp nutmeg
- 2 tbsp vanilla
- 2 tbsp coconut
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
- 1/3 cup pumpkin puree
- 1/4 cup each of: flax seed meal, chia seeds, chopped pecans, whole almonds, sunflower seeds, cranberries
This is actually really easy to make, so do not think to yourself that you cannot do it if you have never made quinoa before!
First, pour your quinoa, almond milk, cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla into a saucepan over medium high heat. Let the quinoa absorb the liquid (about 15 minutes). Although you are supposed to do use 2 cups liquid per every 1 cup of quinoa, using less is better for this particular recipe.
Next, combine your pumpkin puree, maple syrup, chia seeds, and flax to another bowl. Stir until combined.
In a large bowl (this is the bowl you will use to stir in all the ingredients, so make sure it is BIG!), combine the nuts and cranberries. Give it a toss so they are mixed through.
Now, after 15 minutes have passed, your quinoa should have absorbed the majority of the liquid. You’ll want most of the quinoa to have “popped” — if not all have popped open, don’t worry. It gives the granola a little more crunch.
Take your quinoa and add it to the bowl with the nuts. Top with your pumpkin/maple syrup mixture. Stir until all ingredients are well incorporated.
Feel free to add more cinnamon/maple syrup at this time.
Spread your quinoa mixture on a greased jelly roll pan. If you don’t have a jelly roll pan, it will be okay. Just use a cookie sheet. A jelly roll pan just makes it easier to stir while it’s baking.
Cook your granola in a 350 degree oven for one hour, stirring ever 10 minutes. After you have taken it out of the oven, please be sure to let it cook completely as you do not want your granola to be mushy.
Oh, and try not eat the entire pan while it’s cooling — this takes a lot of self control.
Enjoy your granola in oatmeal, as a cereal, or in yogurt!
I wish I could box a jar of this up for everyone and send it to you. Someday when I have unlimited funds and times, I’ll be sure to do that. But for now, go make it for yourself. You’ll be thanking me later.
Question: What’s your favorite granola combination?
PS: More recipes still to come — I didn’t want any other recipe to try to compete with this one this morning. There probably would have been a fight.
{ 33 comments… read them below or add one }
Wow - that’s so creative! I love it!
Oh man that looks awesome…pumpkin is amazing! I love the movie “Life as We Know It”. It was soooo good
. Hope you have an awesome Friday!
I love anything that smells like Fall!
good idea to bring this back-YUM! some of my favorite posts I wrote were when I had zero readers (besides my mom hehe) so maybe one day I’ll do something like this too…
thanks for the movie recommendation - I just added it to our que!
Mmmm…I love anything that involves quinoa. I still have a can of pumpkin puree in my cupboards. Now I see it’s been waiting to be made into this awesome granola.
Glad you posted this - I am one of those new readers! This granola sounds right up my alley!
How creative! another way to use quinoa! I love using maple in my granolas too! ( go Canadians haha)
I recently tried making a pb granola and my fave way to eat it is straight up
OMG this looks AMAZING!!! cannot wait to try it! may not even wait til fall to try!!!
Nothing wrong with re-introducing an old favorite
My favorite granola combination has to have chocolate… and usually raisins, slivered almonds, and vanilla.
I’m sad I didn’t see this before i used up my last can of pumpkin! oh well, guess i’ll have to run to the store & stock up in 6 more cans….other people do that too….right?
I remember this recipe from before and still get excited to see it!
It doesn’t surprise me this one was popular. Do you know how many times I’ve searched for pumpkin recipes online? I don’t know either - but it’s a bunch!
Definitely going to make this. Have a can of pumpkin begging to be used. Just hope I have some left over to make pumpkin quinoa muffins. (pumpkin quinoa theme?)
Pineapple coconut granola….. Your following has grown so much in the last couple of months. CONGRATS, Chelsey!
I’ve always wondered about making granola with quinoa! Added to my weekend to-do list - thanks for the recipe!
Oh man that granola looks delish. I don’t care what the combo is as long as there are clusters! By far the best part about granola if you ask me
I love my mom’s granola, basically oats, coconut, nuts, and a little brown sugar. You can eat it plain or with milk. Its so delicious … the quinoa looks good in your recipe, and I have been wanting to make homemade granola for awhile now. Thanks!
yum! I’ve always wondered if I could pre-cook a grain and then make it into a granola. I’ll have to try this!
yet another reason why i need to restock on quinoa
xo.
I have only made homemade granola once and that was just a few days ago from a PB Fingers recipe, which was awesome! I love simple granola with a lot of clusters and cinnamon!
I am glad you reposted this…it looks awesome!
I LOVE this recipe!! I saved it months ago and never made it. Thank you for the reminder!! I think I’m going to give it a go today - I have a road trip coming up and this will be perfect to munch on
That sounds delish! I love quinoa, and would have never thought to make granola out of it. Thanks for sharing this again!
I’m so glad that you shared this again because I never saw it!!
I’m so glad you reposted this! I’ve been meaning to try making granola with quinoa!
Now I have to make this tonight! I’m going to have to make some substitutions because I don’t have all of these ingredients in the house, but I never completely follow a recipe anyway. Can’t wait to try some!
Come fall (when my nut-allergic brother goes to college and pumpkin maple stuff is in season) you can bet I’ll be making and eating and blogging about a LOT of this stuff!!
That does look like a great recipe, I’m glad you reshared it!
I just made this and am pretty sure I ate half of it straight off the pan… SO GOOD! Thanks so much for the recipe!
This looks amazing!! Makes me think of fall flavors, which I love
Ahhh, the recipe that started my love for your blog! I remember reading this post and within minutes I was pushing my sleeves up and preheating the oven! It has the perfect mix of flavors! Definitely one of my favorites!
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