Easy Coconut Quinoa Granola Clusters

The time was Valentine's Day ... I was convinced I was going to make the kids healthy and delicious Valentine's Day treats. I bought a puffed brown rice cereal to use ... my treats did not work and now I had a bag of puffed rice cereal that no one will eat. Ugh!

Fast forward 3 months and the puffed brown rice cereal is still in my pantry. Time to use it. The stars must have been aligned because I was going to make a special trip to get some extra granola for breakfast this week when someone mentioned to me about making homemade granola. I'm not going to lie, I have made granola before and wasn't altogether pleased.

I found a recipe from Feasting on Fruit that looked delicious and fool-proof! My family loved coconut so I had to add in some so I could seamlessly switch our store-bought granola with the new stuff and no would would be the wiser!

We love it. I'm glad I initially made a big batch because it went fast! Now, I'm in the situation of having to buy brown rice cereal a lot ... I doesn't sit in my pantry anymore though. This has been a lifesaver snack on trips to school and all the errands that we run through the day and I need to eat something quick and healthy.

Coconut Quinoa Granola Clusters

Makes 6 1/2 cups

3 c rolled oats
1 c dried quinoa
2 c cup puffed brown rice cereal
1 1/4 c maple syrup
1/2 c unsweetened shredded coconut
1/4 c raisins or other dried fruit (optional)
1 T chia or hemp seeds
1 t cinnamon
Pinch of salt

Preheat oven for 375º.

Mix all ingredients together until everything is nicely coated.

Lay a baking sheet or parchment paper on the pan. Spread the granola mixture on the pan so it is about 1/4 inch thick.

Bake granola for 10 minutes and let completely cool before mixing it up ... you can have a little bite though! It crusts up and sets as it cools.

Place in an airtight container and enjoy ... over yogurt, fresh fruit, with milk or just start munching straight out of the container!