Puffed Amaranth – What is it and What can I do with it?

When Bec at GoVita set me a, “What do we do with this?” recipe challenge that uses Puffed Amaranth, I had plenty of options to choose from.

Granola Bars, Protein Bars, Porridge, Tabbouleh and Cous-cous are just a few of the options. However, I decided to make a granola as I have always struggled to find a good granola and as I have never made one before I thought it would be a suitable challenge for this ingredient.

I loved the result. It was crunchy, sweet and super tasty. Serve with your preferred choice of milk and whatever fruits are in season. It also makes a super healthy snack just on its own.

Lara Flanagan

Yields 2 mason jars

Serves 8

Amaranth Puffs Granola

Amaranth is also known as “kiwicha” and is a tiny, ancient grain-like seed. The beauty of Amaranth is that it is super dense in nutrients and high in protein. It is gluten free so it's also suitable for those who follow either a gluten free diet or the paleo diet.

30 minPrep Time

30 minCook Time

1 hrTotal Time

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Ingredients

Nut Crumb
• ½ cup raw almonds
• ½ cup raw cashews
• ½ cup raw walnuts
• 2 tablespoons of brown sugar
• ¼ teaspoon of vanilla essence
• 1 teaspoon of maple syrup
• ¼ teaspoon of ground cinnamon
• 6 dried and pitted dates
Dry ingredients
• 1 cup amaranth puffs
• 1 cup rolled oats
• ½ cup pepitas – shelled pumpkin seeds
• ½ cup roughly chopped walnuts
• ½ cup roughly chopped dried apricots
Date syrup ingredients
• 6 dried and pitted dates
• 1/3 cup maple syrup
• 2 tablespoons of Peanut Butter
• 1 tablespoon of Olive oil
• 3 tablespoons of water

Instructions

1. For the nut crumb: Process all ingredients in a processor until mixture resembles a sticky crumb and place in a bowl.
2. Combine all the dry ingredients with the nut crumb.
3. Blend all the Date Syrup ingredients.
4. Combine the Date syrup with all the dry ingredients. Be warned – you will need to get your hands dirty! The most effective way of ensuring that all the dry ingredients have been coated well are to mix well with your hands.
5. Once you are sure everything has been coated, spread onto two baking trays, covered with baking paper
6. Bake in a 150-degree oven for 30 minutes, stirring the granola every 5 minutes or so to ensure that it is toasting evenly and not burning.
7. Then let cool to room temperature and keep in an air tight container.

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https://tenterfieldhealth.com.au/puffed-amaranth-what-is-i-and-what-can-i-do-with-it/

Amaranth is also known as “kiwicha” and is a tiny, ancient grain-like seed. The beauty of Amaranth is that it is super dense in nutrients and high in protein.

It is also gluten free so is also suitable for those who follow either a gluten-free diet or the paleo diet. This lovely little seed is also full of fibre, vitamins and minerals.

Puffed amaranth is made by heating the tiny seeds until they “puff” which increases their volume and creates a light, crunchy version that has a toasty, nutty flavour. Their texture is quite delicate and crunchy.

For a ‘superfood’ I find them quite relatively cost effective as well.

GoVita Tenterfield Health sells the Good Morning Cereals brand and a 200gram packet retails at $6.00

Courtesy of Lara Flanagan.

Lara is the author of My Notes from New England, a blog that takes a humorous look at the adventures of a single mum with two young twins who enjoys cooking, eating well, living in the country and travelling the world looking to inspire and be inspired.