It’s the time of year where zucchini is IN YOUR FACE everywhere you turn. And especially in the garden. Every day a new one emerges, and if you miss a day, God forbid, you’ve got a firelog-size giant on your hands.

The zucchini onslaught is a blessing and a curse. I mean, we all love zucchini, right? But yeah, after a solid month of the stuff, it can get a little wearing.

These Vegan Zucchini Applesauce Muffins though, these work for me long after I’m officially over zucchini for the year. I guess because, with their cinnamon, they taste a bit like fall. And this time of year, I’m secretly starting to feel ready for it.

And I guess also because the zucchini is tucked in there, but it’s not FULL-ON ZUCCHINI ATTACK! Which is cool. Because, yeah, I am getting enough of that in my garden.

Zucchini muffins are among my favorite kinds of muffins, so I thought I’d work on a vegan version that’s a bit healthier than the norm. I actually developed two versions – one had banana, brown sugar, and coconut oil. This one boasts applesauce, pure maple syrup, and canola oil. Both have their merits, but for me, applesauce edged out banana ever so slightly. I sent a few of each batch home with a good friend, and she prefers the banana. So I’ll have to share that one at some point too.

Anyway! These are super moist muffins, with hearty oats, lots of flavor, but not very much oil. No heavy feeling after eating one. Love it.

So don’t give up on zucchini yet! Make these muffins happen first.

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Apparently vegetarian Irish stew (gross), sweet-potato-topped chili shepherd’s pie (boring), and sweet potato biscuit breakfast sandwiches (weird) are simply not meant to be foodstuffs. At least not by my hand.

And then add in the dietary restrictions I’m currently on, the dietary restrictions my daughter is now on, and the dietary restrictions I’m likely about to be on because I’m still having annoying little health issues and need to figure out what the h-e-double-hockey-sticks is going on. Seriously, man. Ugh.

I’m trying to keep this from full-on venting but I just want to be up front. I’m trying! And I am, for what it’s worth, pretty dang excited about this Honey Almond Quinoa Granola recipe. Of course, I did come up with this recipe months ago, when my kitchen mojo was flowing a little better. Grr.

So! How’s this granola different and awesome? Well, I’m sure you noticed the word “quinoa” up there in the title. Quinoa is great to add to granola not only because of the added protein and omegas, but it also lends a nice little extra crunch.

Honey sweetens this batch, but this granola isn’t overly sweet or sticky – it doesn’t feel like fattening granola. It feels like good-for-you granola. It’s true! There can be such a thing! At least, I think so. And in moderation and all that.

I add an egg white – yes, an egg white! – to help bind the ingredients together into a more chunky granola. Granola clusters are a good thing, at least in my book! Plus, it helps the quinoa stick to the rest of the good stuff instead of segregating itself. (I learned this awesome trick from Smitten Kitchen via Serious Eats.)

I like this granola without any dried fruit, but you’re welcome to add some if you’d like. Make it yours!

I’ll just be over here in the kitchen looking around for my mojo. Maybe I’ll start by digging through this bowlful of granola. Win/win!

More Granola Recipes

• Cinnamon Almond Butter Granola
• Mango Pepita Granola
• Cherry Hazelnut Granola
• How to Make Granola (base recipe)
• Muesli – not actual granola, but very granola-like!

Print

Honey Almond Quinoa Granola

Crunchy clusters of honey-sweetened goodness.

Prep Time 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time 45 minutes minutes

Total Time 1 hour hour

Author Kare

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup honey
• 1/2 cup solid coconut oil
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• Pinch salt optional, and only recommended if the nuts you’re adding are unsalted
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 3 cups rolled oats not the quick-cooking kind
• 1/2 cup raw quinoa rinsed well in cold water
• 2 cups roughly chopped raw almonds
• 1/2 cup sweetened flaked coconut
• 1 egg white beaten
• 1-2 cups dried fruits such as chopped dried cherries raisins, or dried blueberries (optional)

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a large rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
• To a small pan over low heat, add the honey, coconut oil, cinnamon, and salt (if using). Heat, stirring occasionally, until melted and thoroughly combined. Remove from heat. Stir in the vanilla. Set aside.
• In a large bowl, stir together the oats, quinoa, almonds, and coconut.
• Pour the wet ingredients over the oat mixture and stir until well-combined. In a small bowl, beat the egg white until frothy. Add to the granola and stir until very well combined.
• Pour the granola into the baking sheet and bake until golden brown and fragrant, 35-45 minutes, opening the oven to stir the granola about 20 minutes into the cooking process.
• Remove from oven and let cool completely. Break into bite-size chunks. Mix in dried fruit, if using.
• Stores well in an airtight container at room temperature for several days.
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