Breakfast/ Recipes

Oat and Amaranth Granola

GRANOLA-7623

Say hello to my new favorite thing.

This granola is absolutely addicting! After making it and eating for breakfasts and snacks all week long, I don’t think I’ll ever buy granola from the store again. No need. I’ve developed my granola for life right here, folks, and I can’t wait to share the recipe with all of you!

This granola is made using old fashioned oats, steel cut oats and amaranth, an ancient grain that provides a ton of crunch and lots of nutrients! Combine all that with pecans, coconut, cranberries and a touch of maple syrup and you’ve got the most delicious breakfast around. I can’t get enough.

GRANOLA-7582

There’s just something about winter that makes you want to bake granola, right?! Maybe that’s just me. I get a lot of joy from spending an afternoon inside baking a big batch of granola and then keeping it in a large mason jar next to my sunny kitchen window. The grains that I use in this recipe (old fashioned oats, steel cut oats and amaranth) can be easily found in the bulk section of most large health food stores. If you can’t find the amaranth (I found this at Whole Foods), you can simply omit it and add more steel cut oats instead.

GRANOLA-7601

The amaranth takes on even more of a toasty flavor because we’re “popping” it here! Yep, just like popping popcorn on the stove if you still do that. It’s incredibly easy and only takes an extra five minutes. Just be careful not to let the amaranth burn!

I love using coconut oil in my granola recipes, especially when I’m already adding unsweetened coconut to the mix. It’s healthy, delicious and also makes a killer hair mask if you’re wondering. I realize I haven’t posted a gluten-free / vegan recipe in awhile {my friend Hawley always begs me for more vegan recipes} so here you go. If you are GF, just make sure the oats you buy are also.

I hope you guys enjoy this as much as I do! It’s definitely going on a routine rotation in this house.

GRANOLA-7609Oat and Amaranth Granola

yields about 4 cups granola

Print this Recipe!

Ingredients:

2 1/2 cups old fashioned oats

1 cup steel cut oats

1/3 cup amaranth (see note)

1/3 cup pure maple syrup

1/4 cup coconut oil

1 tsp ground cinnamon

1/2 cup unsweetened flaked coconut

1 cup dried cranberries

1 heaping cup roughly chopped raw pecans

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp vanilla

Directions:

Preheat oven to 275 degrees. Line two cookie sheets with parchment paper or Silpat. Set aside.

Place the amaranth in a medium sized pot with a tight fitting lid over medium/high heat. Amaranth should soon start to pop like popcorn and get a lovely toasty smell. Remove from heat after about 5 minutes – be careful not to let amaranth burn. Shaking the pot while it’s on the heat helps this.

Place the popped amaranth in a large mixing bowl along with the steel cut oats, old fashioned oats, chopped pecans, cranberries, coconut, cinnamon and salt. Toss to mix.

In a small saucepot over medium high heat, combine the coconut oil, maple syrup and vanilla. Bring to a boil then remove from heat and pour over granola mixture. Toss very well so all granola has been coated lightly in the syrup/oil mixture.

Divide the granola amongst the two sheet trays and spread out with a spoon. Bake for 35-40 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Once cool, granola will keep in a sealed tupperware or jar for up to three weeks.

Time:

1 hour

 

 

You Might Also Like

  • Averie @ Averie Cooks
    January 9, 2014 at 3:10 am

    This looks so hearty and that I would be going back for handful. After handful. After handful. I love the popped texture of amaranth and coconut oil is my Bff. Pinned

  • brittany
    January 9, 2014 at 3:39 am

    I’m eating a huge bowl of yogurt and granola right night! Will have to try this one!! 🙂

  • Tina@GottaRunNow
    January 9, 2014 at 3:55 am

    The cranberries and pecans would taste great in this. Granola is one of my favorite foods to make. I like to use it as a topping on plain yogurt.

  • Michelle @ A Healthy Mrs
    January 9, 2014 at 4:15 am

    I love making my own granola! It always tastes better, and it’s so much cheaper that way!

  • Sarah Toasty
    January 9, 2014 at 4:21 am

    I’ve always wanted to make my own granola. I’ve never worked with amaranth, it is definitely on my list now!

  • Madison
    January 9, 2014 at 4:25 am

    I haven’t tried amaranth–but you’ve got me intrigued! 🙂 I love almost every thing granola and definitely love everything you make–so this has to be a winner.

  • Deb @ Dietitian Debbie Dishes
    January 9, 2014 at 4:41 am

    I’m eating the last bit of my recent batch of granola right now. I’ll have to restock with your version this weekend after I hit up the Whole Foods bulk bins! Amaranth is new for me but I love finding and trying new grains.

  • Chicago Jogger
    January 9, 2014 at 4:59 am

    Making homemade granola is on my list for this month! This recipe sounds delicious.

  • Angela @ Eat Spin Run Repeat
    January 9, 2014 at 5:26 am

    Oh my gosh, I think this could very quickly become my new favourite thing too! I love making my own granola and think that home made always ends up tasting better than store bought. It’s also kind of therapeutic in a way…. or maybe that’s just me! Either way, I can’t wait to try this!

  • Dixya @ Food, Pleasure, and Health
    January 9, 2014 at 6:05 am

    granola is a my morning ritual too..love to try with amaranth soon.

  • Karen
    January 9, 2014 at 6:49 am

    Can’t wait to make this! Never had amaranth but we eat gluten free so I’m excited for new options.

  • Erin | The Law Student's Wife
    January 9, 2014 at 6:53 am

    My bag of amaranth has been eyeing me unopened for weeks! Now I know exactly how to use it 🙂 Thanks girl!

  • Claire Gallam
    January 9, 2014 at 6:56 am

    I love this recipe!! I suck at granola so I’m definitely going to try this recipe!

  • Myra
    January 9, 2014 at 7:01 am

    Aren’t steel cut oats too hard for granola? Does the baking soften them up? I would not want to break a tooth!

    • jenna
      January 9, 2014 at 7:09 am

      Not at all, actually! Baking makes them very crunchy – like little seeds. Try it! 🙂

      • Myra
        January 9, 2014 at 7:19 am

        I will try it then! Thanks!!

  • Laura
    January 9, 2014 at 7:09 am

    This looks a delicious and the perfect snack! I’m inspired to go out and buy amaranth so I can make this.

  • Ashley B.
    January 9, 2014 at 7:20 am

    This granola looks and sounds delicious! Thank you for the inspiration I needed to start making my own granola again. 🙂

  • erin @hooleywithaz
    January 9, 2014 at 7:22 am

    for whatever reason, i feel like i have to pump myself up to get all the ingredients for homemade granola, because it just feels so daunting. even though i know it’s not. and this looks so good!

  • Liz @ Tip Top Shape
    January 9, 2014 at 7:54 am

    This looks delicious!!! I’ve never made granola before. I bet this is so much better than the store-bought stuff!

  • Cassie
    January 9, 2014 at 8:08 am

    I love homemade oats! Yum!

  • Bryony @ Friday Night Dinners -- PDX
    January 9, 2014 at 9:43 am

    This looks great! And I love the addition of amaranth!

  • Gina
    January 9, 2014 at 10:03 am

    I like adding a little pumpkin to granola recipes…but really, it’s more of an excuse to use the rest of the can to make a pumpkin chocolate chip loaf!!

  • Katrina @ WVS
    January 9, 2014 at 11:02 am

    I love the sound of this! So yummy!

  • Jordan Lynn // Life Between Lattes
    January 9, 2014 at 12:42 pm

    This looks delicious, and I always love trying out new grains!

  • allie @ 6000 miles to home
    January 9, 2014 at 1:27 pm

    I’m intrigued – have no idea what amaranth tastes like! The local Berkeley Bowl must have it – I’ll give it a try 🙂

  • Coty and Mariah@quirksandtwists
    January 9, 2014 at 3:32 pm

    This looks delicious! I can never have too many granola recipes!

  • Robyn @thereallife_RD
    January 9, 2014 at 7:37 pm

    yum! this would be perfect with some chilly vanilla almond milk..or you know, by the handful.

  • Alanna
    January 9, 2014 at 7:49 pm

    Nothing smells better than homemade granola baking in the oven, FACT. I will definitely be giving this a try! YUM

  • Bekah @ She.Walks.In.Freedom
    January 9, 2014 at 8:04 pm

    Looks yummy! Something fun to cook during my Jterm!

  • Heather @ Health, Happiness, and Hope
    January 10, 2014 at 3:45 am

    I’ve never really used amaranth before, but this sounds amazing! I’ll definitely have to try it out!

  • Dominique
    January 10, 2014 at 11:33 am

    Is there another grain I could substitute for the amaranth? I want to make this like right.now but I don’t have amaranth. My alternatives are raw buckwheat groats and millet. Do you think either of those would be okay? And toasted or untoasted?

  • Jamie | Thrifty Veggie Mama
    January 10, 2014 at 2:13 pm

    I make a batch of granola every week and I’ve had some amaranth in the pantry that I wasn’t sure what to do with. I’ll have to make this!

  • Beth
    January 10, 2014 at 7:02 pm

    This is amazing. I made it today, I couldn’t wait to go buy the amaranth so I just added some extra oats and steel cut oats as suggested. I did sprinkle in some ground flax seed for the health benefits. Delish! I may never buy granola again. ( I did add some almonds because I love them)
    Thanks for the recipe. Super easy!!

  • Christina @ The Beautiful Balance
    January 10, 2014 at 9:43 pm

    I am absolutely obsessed with popped amaranth. I usually just enjoy it on top of yogurt but will definitely have to try it in granola.

  • emily
    January 11, 2014 at 1:54 pm

    This sounds really good. Unfortunately neither I nor most of my kids like coconut (though the coconut oil is fine). Any suggestions on an alternative? Just up the pecans accordingly?

    • jenna
      January 13, 2014 at 7:41 am

      You can just omit the coconut if you like.

  • Emily @ Life on Food
    January 12, 2014 at 11:24 am

    This looks amazing. I added cinnamon to my maple granola recipe last time and oh what a difference. I am going out to buy some amaranth now. I have heard so much about it. This looks like the perfect recipe to try it out.

  • Joy
    January 12, 2014 at 11:42 am

    Any helpful hints on popping the amaranth? It seems only half of it pops then it burns. I have tried both stainless and teflon pans.

    • jenna
      January 13, 2014 at 7:41 am

      You really only can pop what you can. As soon as you sense that the amaranth may burn, pull it off the stove. It’s fine if not every piece pops. 🙂

  • Joyce
    January 12, 2014 at 5:49 pm

    Sounds delicious and filling. Love it 🙂

  • Kristine @ Kristine's Kitchen
    January 12, 2014 at 8:58 pm

    Homemade granola is one of my favorite things, and I love trying new granola recipes. I’ve never tried amaranth before but now you have me intrigued… I will have to look for it the next time I’m at the grocery store. Thanks for this recipe!

  • Mary
    January 13, 2014 at 7:46 am

    I made this last night and it is delicious. The only issue is the cranberries are really hard – everything else seems nicely toasted. Is that from baking too long?

  • Courtney R
    January 13, 2014 at 8:22 am

    Random question….I would like to begin incorporating yoga into my workouts this year. I am runner but I know I need to increase my flexibility. I am looking for a basic, beginner dvd or routine online. Can you recommend something? My goal is not to make this my cardio but to improve flexibility and muscular strength.

    Thank you for all suggestions!!

  • Leslie
    January 15, 2014 at 1:29 pm

    This was DELICICIOUS!! Thanks for sharing . I was skeptical about the steel cut oats but they really added a nice crunch!

  • Connie
    January 18, 2014 at 11:08 am

    My new routine is homemade yogart with the Cuisinart yogart maker, your granola, honey and blueberries. I really have more energy. Thanks Jenna, love your blog!

  • Caroline
    January 19, 2014 at 3:27 pm

    I gave this a shot, but it ended up pretty hard to chew. I think I had trouble getting the steel cut oats to soften, and the amaranth didn’t quite pop somehow. I followed the recipe pretty closely — any suggestions or tips? I’d love to try it again. The flavor, sweetness is just perfect, otherwise.

    • jenna
      January 20, 2014 at 4:40 pm

      Hmmm..interesting. My steel cut oats didn’t “soften” necessarily, but they became light and crunchy — definitely not hard to chew. My best suggestion would be to try again and watch your oven. Make sure you cook it long enough so the steel cut oats have time to get crunchy. The amaranth will not appear popped like popcorn does, rather it just gets toasty look to it. You can omit it if you’re not a fan though.

  • Kim
    January 20, 2014 at 4:26 pm

    Ok, making this now for week ahead!

  • WIAW (but actually WIAFriday) and Day in the Life |
    February 5, 2014 at 11:28 am

    […] Breakfast: coconut Chobani, banana, and Eat Live Run’s granola […]

  • Internet Gems | Belle Boulevard
    February 26, 2014 at 7:03 am

    […] Oat and Amaranth Granola from Eat Live Run […]

  • Weekly Meal Plan - Annotations On Love
    March 26, 2014 at 9:40 am

    […] week’s cooking projects: bone broth, homemade yogurt, this granola: http://www.eatliverun.com/oat-and-amaranth-granola/, and something baked like banana bread, cookies or a tea cake, it depends on how motivated I get […]

  • Beth
    April 22, 2014 at 5:37 am

    I made this without the amaranth because I didn’t have it on hand and I was too impatient to wait. It was fabulous. Now, I have the amaranth and can’t wait to try popping it and adding it to the recipe. Thanks for a great go to granola. I feel so much better about making it myself than purchasing the prepackaged varieties.