This perfectly crunchy lemon blueberry quinoa granola is a delicious snack or breakfast! Lightly sweet, easy to make and filled with whole grains, it’s delicious plain or served however you can think up. Dairy free, gluten free and vegetarian.

I currently have three large (we’re talking gallon-sized) Ziploc bags filled with this lemon blueberry quinoa granola.

Well, correction. I have three bags with slightly different versions of this granola sitting on my counter. We’ve been at war.

It hasn’t been pretty. I muttered at the oven a few times (the husband has been wisely staying away), opened a glass of wine to calm down and almost admitted defeat over the weekend.

First, there was the nice and crunchy batch that refused to clump.

Then came two somewhat soggy batches that clumped beautifully, but I wasn’t a fan of the overly moist texture.

Finally, by chance I added quinoa because I’d run out of oats, made one small change, and hello—my new favorite clumping granola was born. Strange how that works.

I’m convinced quinoa has a little bit of kitchen magic.

I made it one more time just to be sure, and now I’m ready to share the recipe—hence the three giant bags of granola in my house. Granola overload in the best way.

About This Quinoa Granola

I can’t resist granola flavored with bright lemon zest and studded with dried blueberries, chopped walnuts and toasted coconut.

It’s sweet but not overly so—the balance avoids that cloying sweetness I often find in store-bought varieties.

Follow the instructions below and you’ll get a pleasing mix of clusters and loose granola: some satisfying clumps alongside freer, crunchy pieces.

The quinoa contributes an earthy, nutty crunch that complements the oats and nuts. It’s a subtle but delightful texture boost.

The husband raised an eyebrow when I mentioned quinoa, but after tasting he said he preferred this batch to my earlier attempts. The proof is in the bowl—quinoa really does work wonders here.

Additional Oat Recipes You Might Enjoy:

Chewy Cranberry Orange Granola Bars
Chewy Fruit & Nut Granola Bars
Oatmeal Raisin Energy Bites
Banana Bread Breakfast Cookies
Banana Bread Oatmeal Bars
Chocolate Cherry Breakfast Cookies

Did you make this recipe? Rate and review it down below! I’d love to hear from you.

Lemon Blueberry Quinoa Granola

Yield:
about 7 cups

Prep Time:
15 minutes

Cook Time:
25 minutes

Total Time:
40 minutes

Ingredients

3 ½ cups rolled oats
½ cup uncooked quinoa, rinsed
1 cup raw walnut halves, chopped
¼ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon cinnamon
pinch of nutmeg
½ cup melted coconut oil*
½ cup honey
1 ½ tablespoons lemon zest (from about 2 to 3 lemons)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
¾ cup dried blueberries
¾ cup unsweetened coconut flakes, toasted (toasting is optional)

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 325ºF. Line a large rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
In a large bowl, combine the oats, rinsed quinoa, chopped walnuts, salt, cinnamon and nutmeg. Mix until evenly combined.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the melted coconut oil, honey, lemon zest and vanilla. Pour this mixture over the dry ingredients and stir until everything is evenly moistened.
Spread the mixture evenly on the prepared baking sheet. Bake for about 25–28 minutes, stirring once halfway through and once or twice toward the end, until golden brown. Watch carefully near the end to prevent burning.
Remove from the oven and let the granola cool completely without stirring—this helps clusters form. It will crisp up as it cools. Once cool, transfer to an airtight container and fold in the dried blueberries and coconut flakes in layers if you like.

Notes

*Melt the coconut oil before measuring so you use the correct amount. If needed, use certified gluten-free oats to keep the recipe gluten-free. Dried cranberries or other dried fruits make fine substitutes for dried blueberries.

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 14
Serving Size: 1

Amount Per Serving:
Calories: 290
Total Fat: 17g
Saturated Fat: 10g
Trans Fat: 0g
Unsaturated Fat: 6g
Cholesterol: 0mg
Sodium: 42mg
Carbohydrates: 31g
Fiber: 4g
Sugar: 12g
Protein: 5g

Nutrition data shown is an estimate provided by an online calculator and is for informational purposes only. It should not be considered a substitute for professional medical advice.