Preheat oven to 275°F and line a cookie sheet with parchment paper. Cook quinoa according to package directions.
In a large bowl, mix together oats, cooked quinoa, almonds, sunflower seeds, sesame seeds, walnuts, and chia seeds.
Microwave ½ cup honey and 4 tablespoon butter in a bowl in 15 second increments until melted. Mix in vanilla extract and salt. Pour over dry ingredients
Lay out on prepared cookie sheet in an even layer. Cook 20 minutes. Remove and mix. Drizzle over maple syrup. Put back in oven and cook another 15 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool 15-20 minutes. Mix in chocolate chips and let cool completely. *Note, this granola will be soft.
Notes
Fat is important for granola. If you don’t use it, you will just have dry oats. This recipe uses butter but feel free to use vegetable or canola oil.
Do not substitute quick cooking oats for the old-fashioned oats which this recipe calls for. If you use quick cooking oats, the cook time will be different and the texture won’t be the same. Old-fashioned oats are the best for granola.
You can replace honey with maple syrup.
Do not wait until the granola is really browned when pulling out of the oven. It should just be starting to brown when you pull it out. Always err on the underdone side as the granola will continue to cook and harden slightly as it cools.
Add chocolate chips after the granola is done cooking and cooled. If you add too early, the chocolate chips will melt.