Protein-Packed Granola

Quinoa rocks. Peanut butter is the bomb diggity. Why not combine these two nutty ingredients and see what happens?

I did. The result is a nutty, flavorful, and crunchy granola.

It’s jam-PACKED with protein thanks to the nuts, seeds, and grains. There’s a decent amount of fat in it, but don’t worry because this fat is the healthy, unsaturated kind of fat from nuts and seeds. The only sugar in the granola comes from the maple syrup (although there’s also a bit in the peanut butter), so it’s healthy enough for breakfast but sweet enough for dessert!

This post is part of the Peanut Butter Bash, a monthly event where bloggers come together to share delicious recipes featuring peanut butter and another ingredient. This month’s ingredient was quinoa, hence this peanut butter quinoa granola. I’m excited to be a part of the group again!

I hope you like this granola as much as I did. It’s a perfect breakfast with nondairy milk and fruit, a great smoothie topper, and it’s even good by the handful. Enjoy!

Protein-Packed Granola

makes 1 batch (3 cups = 6 ½ cup servings)

• 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons (store-bought) peanut butter
• 1/4 cup pure maple syrup
• ½ teaspoon vanilla
• 1 and ½ cup oats (this granola is gluten free only if you use gluten free oats)
• ½ cup UNCOOKED quinoa
• 1 tablespoon chia seeds
• 1/8 to 1/4 cup peanuts
• optional: add in chocolate chips after the granola has cooked and cooled!

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Mix together the peanut butter, maple syrup, and vanilla. Add in the oats, quinoa, and chia seeds and mix. Add in the peanuts. Spread out on a baking sheet and bake for 15 minutes. Stir. Bake for 5 more minutes. Take out and let cool. Enjoy with nondairy milk, sprinkled on top of banana ice cream, or in cookies!

Recipe Information for one ½ cup serving (without chocolate chips):

• 265 calories
• 10.9 grams fat
• 8.6 grams sugar
• 9.5 grams protein

Have a great day!

Also, the “Vegan Challenge” through veggie club starts tomorrow! Let me know (through a comment or an email) if you want to join us for this week-long challenge. We’d love to include you!

xx Ellie