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5.0 from 3 votes

Dark Chocolate Quinoa Granola

Dark Chocolate Quinoa Granola is an easy homemade granola recipe that is perfect to snack on or enjoy on a yogurt bowl.

Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
15 mins
Total Time
50 mins
Servings: 18 (1/3
Calories: 244 kcal
Course: Breakfast
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

  • 3 cups rolled oats the old-fashioned kind, not quick oats
  • 1/2 cup uncooked quinoa
  • 1 tsp. ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp. salt
  • 1 medium banana, fresh, mashed
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar optional
  • 3 Tbsp Avocado oil*
  • 2 Tbsp. honey
  • 2 Tbsp. nut butter I use peanut butter
  • 2 Tbsp. unsalted butter
  • 1 tsp. vanilla extract
  • 1/4 cup dried cranberries
  • 1 cup almonds, roughly chopped
  • 5 oz. dark chocolate, roughly chopped

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Preheat oven to 325° F. Spray a baking sheet with nonstick cooking spray and set aside.
  2. Combine the mashed banana, brown sugar, oil, honey, nut butter, unsalted butter and vanilla extract in a small saucepan over low heat. Stir until combined and melted; remove from heat.
  3. Combine the oats, quinoa, cinnamon, and salt in a large bowl. Pour the banana/honey mixture into dry ingredients and stir well to combine.
  4. Spoon onto the prepared baking sheet; pat down with a fairly firm press and spread evenly. Make sure the sheet is pretty full otherwise you'll end up with some burnt oats maybe around the edges. You will add the fixings in at the end once granola has cooled so set those aside for now.
  5. Bake granola for 30-35 minutes. No need to stir just flip pan around the 15-20 min mark. I always pull the oats out a little early around 33 minutes because they will continue to harden and form clusters as it cools. Overall, trust your own intuition when judging if it’s ready to come out of the oven. :)
  6. To get the bug chunks of granola, refrain from stirring once you remove from the oven. Let cool and then add in the dried cranberries, almonds and chocolate pieces. Place in air tight container or big zip lock baggie for up to 5 days. I like to store mine in the fridge, and enjoy with Greek yogurt or by the hand full for a snack.

Notes

  • May sub olive oil or melted coconut oil for avocado oil. 
  • Slow and low is the key to dry-not-burnt granola. You can safely bake your granola to golden-brown perfection between 300 and 350 degrees (I have found the 325° works best) but any hotter and you risk burning parts of your mix before it's ready.

Nutrition Information

Calories 244kcal (12%) Carbohydrates 28g (9%) Protein 5g (10%) Fat 13g (20%) Saturated Fat 4g (20%) Cholesterol 4mg (1%) Sodium 58mg (2%) Potassium 232mg (7%) Fiber 4g (16%) Sugar 12g (24%) Vitamin A 48IU (1%) Vitamin C 1mg (1%) Calcium 49mg (5%) Iron 2mg (11%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 18(1/3

Amount Per Serving

Calories 244

% Daily Value*

Calories 244kcal 12%
Carbohydrates 28g 9%
Protein 5g 10%
Fat 13g 20%
Saturated Fat 4g 20%
Cholesterol 4mg 1%
Sodium 58mg 2%
Potassium 232mg 5%
Fiber 4g 16%
Sugar 12g 24%
Vitamin A 48IU 1%
Vitamin C 1mg 1%
Calcium 49mg 5%
Iron 2mg 11%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.