This Sweet Cherry Quinoa Granola isn't packed with unnecessary sugar and preservatives like the store bought variety. It's loaded with wholesome ingredients like quinoa and sweet cherries that make this granola healthy and super delicious!
This delicious healthy granola recipe is just one of so many in my new cookbook, The Everything Wheat Free Diet Cookbook!
I placed this recipe under my "Kids" chapter because it is such a huge hit with the kids, but the truth is, EVERYONE loves this granola! You can either make these into bars, or break it up into chunks for granola (as shown in the picture).
Granola is one of those foods that people just assume is healthy to add to your yogurts, cereal or just to snack on. And while it can be a very healthy option, many of the store bought varieties are loaded with unnecessary sugars ad preservatives.
This granola is made with all REAL ingredients. It is healthy, nutritious and packed with protein, fiber and antioxidants.
The beauty of this granola is you can substitute whatever dried fruit you'd like (make sure they are unsweetened) and you can use peanut, almond or cashew butter instead of sunflower seed. Get creative and use what you have on hand.
Just make sure you put it in portion controlled baggies so you don't overeat. It's THAT good!
Recipe Tips
One recipe makes a whole big batch of this granola. Although it might look like a lot, I promise it will not last long in your house.
Especially if you have kids. Or a very hungry husband.
I know from experience. And I am not above hiding some of this granola after I place them in portion controlled containers (or even plastic bags).
If I don't the kids will eat all of it. Even when I barely got to have any.
If you don't have the actual nuts or seeds that I posted in the recipe, feel free to mix it up according to what you like or what you have in your house. I know I have made this a variety of ways... I have used all types of different nuts, seeds, dried fruits and have even tried it with honey instead of maple syrup.
Just so you know it would no longer be vegan if you use honey but it still tastes delicious!
I love using my homemade sunflower seed butter or my cinnamon pecan butter in this recipe!
Related Recipes
Slow Cooker Pumpkin Quinoa Granola from Lauren Kelly Nutrition
Healthy Granola Recipe from Cookie and Kate
Gluten Free Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Granola from Lauren Kelly Nutrition
The Best Healthy Granola Recipe from Gimme Some Oven
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Sweet Cherry Quinoa Granola
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups puffed rice cereal
- 1 cup rolled oats make sure they are wheat free
- 1 cup cooked quinoa
- ½ cup dried cherries unsweetened
- ⅓ cup sunflower seeds
- ⅓ cup sliced walnuts
- ¼ cup pumpkin seeds
- 2 tablespoons flax ground
- 2 tablespoons chia seed ground
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- ⅓ cup sunflower seed butter
- 6 tablespoons pure maple syrup
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine all the dry ingredients including the quinoa.
- In a small sauce pan, heat the almond butter and syrup over medium low heat until it becomes liquidy and smooth.
- Pour the liquid ingredients over the dry ingredients and mix together until fully combined and everything is coated evenly.
- Spread the granola out on the parchment lined baking sheet, into a thin ¼″ layer.
- Bake in the center of a warmed oven for 25 minutes, until the granola is browned and slightly crispy. (Don't cook any longer, it may not look burnt but it will be).
- Let the granola cool for about 10 minutes on the baking sheet.
- Transfer to a flat surface and cut into bars and finish cooling on a wire rack.
- Either enjoy in bar form or crumble as granola pieces.
Jennifer
Okay, this granola is just AMAZING! Never buying store bought again!
Valentina
This homemade granola recipe is so good and so EASY to make!
abigail
This is one of my favorite granola recipes to add into my yogurt! So tasty!
Lauren Kelly
SO happy you loved it!
lauren.kelly
Oh I see, did you use enough maple syrup? Maybe use a little more to hold them together? Good luck 🙂
Debbie
I made this granola and it is delicious but after I baked it it crumbled and I couldn't get it to hold together in bars. Any suggestions? I was also wondering if you could use almond butter instead of sunflower seed butter.
Thanks
lauren.kelly
Hi Debbie! I've used almond butter, sunflower seed and peanut butter in this recipe. Let me know how you like it 🙂
Debbie
Hi Lauren
I have already tried the granola and it is delicious but I will try with almond butter the next time. The one problem I had was that it crumbled after baking, I couldn't cut it in to bars. I wondered if you had any suggestions on this because I definitely want to make it again.
Thanks