Congratulations, Megan for winning the $50 Amazon gift card! Your feedback has already been used to make changes on the blog and will help me in future updates, too. Thanks for participating!
Adding lentils to trail mix was a little out there.
Adding lentils to granola is even more so.
Oh ya, I went there. And, I’m so happy I did!
I’d taken the day off yesterday to celebrate my birthday by lounging in the backyard reading a book but instead found myself in the kitchen coming up with what I was sure was going to be my most favorite granola recipe yet.
All of the kitchen windows were wide open, my music was blaring and in the end, I enjoyed a big bowl of homemade granola with bits of mango and crunchy lentils.
Who needs birthday cake when you have homemade healthy granola to indulge in?
The great thing about the mix is that you can’t really tell that there’s lentils in it – perfect for that person in your life that just won’t eat pulses… (cough, Kevin, cough)…
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- ¾ cup red lentils, sprouted
- ⅔ cup quinoa flakes
- 1 cup long unsweetened shredded dried coconut
- 2 cup gluten-free brown rice crisp cereal
- 1⅔ cup puffed amaranth *see note
- ¼ cup ground flax seed
- ⅓ cup unpasteurized honey or brown rice syrup to make vegan *see note
- 2 tbsp extra virgin coconut oil, melted
- 1 tbsp pure vanilla extract or flesh from 2 vanilla beans
- 1 tsp orange zest
- ½ tsp ground cardamom
- ¼ tsp Himalayan rock salt
- 1 cup dried fruit like pear, pineapple, mango, kiwi, or papaya. If you’re cutting up the dried fruit to make smaller bit-sized pieces, coat with a sprinkle of white rice flour to avoid the pieces from sticking to everything.
- To prepare sprouted lentils: follow this tutorial
- Preheat oven to 350F and lay sprouted lentils out on a 13×9 baking sheet. Cook for 25-30 minutes, until crunchy. The reason I sprouted the lentils was to make them easier to digest. If you’re concerned with cooking the lentils and loosing the health benefits of the sprout, feel free to dehydrate for 6-8 hours at a temperature of 105F in your dehydrator. Add to the granola after it comes out of the oven. If you don’t want to sprout, no worries, just soak for a couple of hours, drain and cook in the oven at the same temperature for 20-25 minutes.
- Place lentils in a large bowl to cool. Using the same baking sheet, spread out quinoa flakes and coconut and toast for 3-4 minutes, until lightly brown.
- Add toasted quinoa and coconut to the bowl with the lentils along with rice crisp, puffed amaranth and flax seed.
- In a separate smaller bowl, add the wet ingredients then pour over the grain mixture until everything is covered.
- Spread the mix over 2 baking sheets and roast in the oven for 10-15 minutes watching so that it doesn’t burn. The mixture will still be wet when it comes out. When you let it cool it will harden. Don’t think that the cooking process will harden everything. If you do, you’ll burn the mix.
- Remove from the oven and allow to cool before adding dried fruit.
- View nutrition info
Making your own puffed amaranth couldn’t be easier! I like to keep a batch on hand at all times as a quick, high protein snack. Add a bit of protein powder and coconut milk, and you have yourself one delicious cereal!
I’d never tried to toast quinoa flakes before and am not really sure why I tried it with this recipe, but it works. The quinoa takes on a whole new flavor. You have to try it!
Try not to snack too much on the dry ingredients. It’ll be hard to resist the urge and even more challenging once the wet mix is added in.
But no one said anything about licking the bowl afterward!
Adding cardamom to the wet mix was a great idea but it didn’t exactly make for the most appealing granola mixture. I was a bit concerned at this point and hoped the muddy color of the mix would disperse once it was mixed in with everything.
While my mix was baking, I set up the shoot for the granola, lost track of time, and burned the first batch.
Lesson – keep a close eye on your granola while it’s cooking!
Yummy, crunchy, high in protein and deliciously homemade.
Makes me wonder… what else could I add lentils to?
Totally unrelated to granola – I’m in the process of updating the blog and want to make sure the changes will appeal to everyone. Before I move forward, I was hoping I could get your help with something…
The giveaway
Enter for a chance to win a $50 Amazon gift card!
1 winner will be selected.
The giveaway is open to everyone.
How to enter
Receive 1 entry by:
- Completing this short survey to help me get to know you!
The giveaway will be open until Monday May 21 with the winner announced on Tuesday May 22.
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{ 45 comments… read them below or add one }
I would have never thought to put lentils into granola!!
Survey is done and done! This granola sounds amazing, and better than any birthday cake I’ve ever had!! I wish I could stay off work today and make up a batch for myself (while blaring music in my kitchen of course, just like you!!)
Thanks for filling it out, Angela! A repeat of yesterday is definitely in order. Thank goodness it’s Friday!
Wow, I never would have thought to add red lentils to granola! What a great idea.
Thanks Lauren. I was quite pleased with how it turned out!
I have been loving granola..I have been making it with soaked and toasted buckwheat then adding coconut/almond butter, honey, stevia, sometimes soaked GF oats, seeds, date pieces..so addicting! I am not sure how my body does with breaking down the groats though, it seems to make me feel more bloated so I probably won’t make it too often but I do luv it! Curious to try it with lentils now!!
I’m with you on the buckwheat groats. My taste buds love them, my tummy? Not so much.
Ok this is creative! Lentils in granola…you amaze me with what you come up with!
And I just did the survey.
I would have never ever thought to add lentils to granol. So can’t wait to try it out!!
First of all, HAPPY BIRTHDAY! (Even if I am a day late
) I hope it was the best birthday!
This granola looks delicious. I’ve been meaning to try popping my own amaranth so I’m going to have to try that in the next few days!
Thanks, Andrea! Popping amaranth is SO easy. You can do it! Don’t get discouraged if you burn the first batch. It takes a couple of tablespoons to figure out how hot the pot needs to be and whatnot. Wow, too much rhyming happening there. Have a lovely weekend
I love the idea of a citrusy granola! everything about this appeals to me, bookmarked and will be making soon!
I completed the survey – look forward to seeing what’s in store… good to see you went with Glam
Hope you enjoy it as much as I did, Kristina! And thanks for filling out the survey and for your feedback on Glam. Enjoying it so far
Fun giveaway! I’ve been thinking of doing a survey too, what a great way to get to know your readers a little better. I love your granola idea. I know I probably shouldn’t, but I’ve been looking for ways to sneak lentils on my hubby, haha.
Shouldn’t sneak lentils? Pfft, I say… do it!
I love your creativity Leanne!!!!! Thanks for the chance to win a nifty GC as well
Enjoy your weekend!
Thank you, Kim! Good luck in the giveaway
OMG I AM IN LOOOOOOVE!
Too funny, I’d been planning on trying to make granola using home made puffed amaranth… I just had a little bit of a block. I think you just gave me the little bit of inspiration that I needed. I mean seriously… LENTILS?
That’s pure GENIUS!
And once again, your photos are absolutely fabulous! GORGEOUS!
<3 haha thanks, Sonia! I was trying to puff quinoa for it too but couldn't get it to work so I just threw in a bunch of rice crisps. Would love to see your version of an amaranth granola... you're like the Queen of cereal in my eyes.
This is a fabulous granola recipe! Love it, love it, love it! Hope you had an amazing birthday!
Thank you, Sonnet! Have a fabulous weekend!
I had never heard of making puffed amaranth at home before reading this recipe. I just tried it and it was a hoot! I can’t wait to show my kids the teeny, tiny “popcorn” that I made!
I think I’m going to set some lentils to sprout – I’ve never tried toasting them after they have sprouted. It sounds intriguing.
It is quite fun, isn’t it? You can eat it like popcorn, too! I add a couple of sprays of coconut oil, salt and sometimes some smoked paprika and go to town!
ooooh i am totally intrigued about popping amaranth! awesome! Hope you has a great birthday!
Happy birthday to you & thanks for this recipe & all the healthy recipes you share. I tried popping amaranth once before & was not successful, but I’m going to try again following your instructions. This granola recipe sounds delicious!
Love the combination of lentil and granola, great idea.
Submitted the survey.
Thanks, Jessie!
I absolutely love puffed amaranth (can’t say the same for my smoke alarm though!) but lentils in granola just takes it to another level – incredible! I will definitely be trying this one out. Also I’ve just filled out your survey
Oh my goodness, tell me about it. Our smoke alarm goes off at least 3 times a week!
The granola looks good but the cinnamon buns, oh the cinnamon buns!
Need to ingredients shop!
Interesting idea. I want to give it a try!
did the survey and ohhh my this looks so good!
Showing some lentil love – you know I am all about that! This is a must-try, I admire your creativity — brilliant! Plus, granola happens to be a big weakness of mine…
did the survey thanks looks delicious
oh gosh, Leanne! I love the lentil in granola combo goin on! How brilliant are you?
haha I try!
Will so have to try sprouted lentils in my next granola
What an awesome idea! Seeing your recipe inspired me to get back on my granola mission (the clusters, I need the clusters) but as soon as my (boring and normal) Pumpkin & Flax Seed batch is eaten, I will have to try lentils AND popping my own amaranth…
did the survey
thepryfamily@gmail.com
What an awesome survey!
Did the survey and I’m super excited to learn about sprouting red lentils!!! I’ve never thought or heard of that before! Thanks for being so genius!!!!!
Such a good idea. I have some lentils I really need to use. I’ve had them forever.
just wondering if the winner has been announced yet thanks
Hi Julie! I just announced it on the post, sorry for the delay. A lady by the name of Megan won. Thank you for participating
Leanne – I just tried puffing the amaranth and a few kernals “popped” but the rest just turned brown and toasty. What am I doing wrong?
good, new recipe that I got from your website are very innovative, I will try to immediately my kitchen.
Thanks