One of my all time favorite breakfasts is a yogurt parfait. My family laughs at me because at restaurants I will forgo ordering "real food" and order a yogurt parfait if I see it listed on the menu. I love them so much! There is something so wonderful about creamy greek yogurt layered with crunchy granola and fresh berries. It's like a justified dessert for your meal, and I'm all about that. Unfortunately, a lot of store bought granola and granola that is served in restaurants is packed with sugar and unhealthy fats.
So I decided to create my own granola recipe that is not only tasty but is a far more healthy option since it is loaded with whole grains, unrefined oil, and is naturally sweetened. It is also loaded with healthy omega-3 fatty acids from the added in chia and flaxseeds. I love when food tastes amazing even when it is secretly healthy. :)
Since this blog is devoted to sharing about health and wellness, I wanted to share some of the incredible health benefits of a few ingredients that I have used in my granola. I hope your taste buds enjoy it as much as your body will thank you.
Old-fashioned oats: Oats are a whole grain food that are hearty, chewy, heart healthy, and contain a variety of important vitamins and minerals. Oats work to stabilize the blood sugar and the antioxidants present are beneficial for reducing the risk of heart disease, as well as the dietary fiber present in them help to lower LDL cholesterol. There are so many other amazing health benefits to oats that I am not surprised that they are known as one of the world's healthiest foods.
Nuts: I love adding nuts to my granola because they are full of healthy fats, antioxidants, and aid in the reduction of cholesterol. Raw almonds are the highest in calcium of all nuts, as well as are high in fiber, vitamin E, and magnesium. Pecans are also high in magnesium and iron and contain certain anti-inflammatory and cancer fighting properties.
Healthy fats: Oil is essential for this recipe to make the granola crisp and crunchy. Unrefined coconut oil is my favorite choice for this recipe and is a healthy fat which raises the good HDL cholesterol in your blood, which is linked to reduced heart disease risk. The healthy fats in coconut oil help you feel less fatigued and also boosts your metabolism.
Cinnamon: Cinnamon is a wonderful spice that adds so much warmth and just the right touch of flavor to this granola. Cinnamon is well known for its blood sugar lowering properties, powerful antioxidants, and antibacterial properties. It is one of the most delicious and healthiest spices in the world, so feel free to add a pinch more if your heart so desires.
Natural Sweetener: Most people already consume plenty of sugar, but pure maple syrup or honey is an excellent healthy alternative to cane or brown sugar. In fact, natural maple syrup contains vitamins such as manganese, zinc, calcium, potassium, and iron! It also contains polyphenol antioxidants which can help reduce free radical damage that leads to inflammation. Just be sure to read the nutrition label on your maple syrup to make sure it is 100% pure without added corn syrup or other ingredients.
Chia Seeds: Chia seeds are so wonderful. They are high in antioxidants, omega-3 fatty acids, fiber, iron, and calcium. The antioxidants present in them also prevent the formation of free radicals in the body and inflammation. Chia seeds contribute to beautiful skin as the reduction of free radicals and inflammation slow down premature aging. Chia seeds have a high content of phosphorous, which is thought to promote healthy and beautiful hair growth.
Flaxseeds: Flaxseeds are also full of omega-3 fatty acids, lignans, and fiber. If you haven't heard of lignans, they are a type of plant compound known as polyphenols. They are beneficial to the body as they positively affect blood pressure, fight against cancer cells, and help regulate blood sugar. Whole flaxseeds are so tiny, that they are likely to pass through your digestive tract without being digested, leaving the nutrients unabsorbed, so that is why I prefer to buy them coarsely ground up to make absorbing the nutrients easier. This is the flaxseed that I buy for my granola and daily use.
Dried Fruits: The dried blueberries add a chewy and tart component to this recipe. I always add them in after I bake the granola. Dried fruits add color, fiber, texture, and extra vitamins to granola. Feel free to add in whatever dried fruits that you love!
Kaitlyn's Homemade Granola Recipe:
INGREDIENTS
■ 3 1/2 cups of old fashioned rolled oats (I used Bob's gluten free rolled oats)
■1/2 cup almonds (you can used slivered or coarsely chop them)
■1/2 raw pecans (I chop them so there are bigger chunks)
■2 Tablespoons of Flaxseeds
■1 Tablespoon of chia seeds
■1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon
■1/4 cup of unrefined coconut oil
■1/2 cup of pure maple syrup (or honey)
■1 teaspoon of sea salt (If you use table salt reduce to 3/4 teaspoon)
■1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
■Your favorite dried fruits to add at the end (I used unsweetened organic dried blueberries)
INSTRUCTIONS
1. Preheat your oven to 300 degrees Fahrenheit and line a large rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a large mixing bowl add all the ingredients except for the coconut oil, maple syrup, and vanilla extract.
3. In a separate microwave safe bowl melt the coconut oil in the microwave.
4.Whisk in maple syrup and vanilla extract together with the melted coconut oil.
5. Slowly pour the bowl of wet ingredients into the bowl of dry ingredients.
6.Mix all of the ingredients together and spread the granola mixture on a thin even layer on the baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
7. Bake for 45 minutes mixing every 15 minutes to evenly crisp the granola.
8. Take out of the oven and allow the granola to cool completely. The air will help the granola obtain a crunchy texture. Mix in dried unsweetened blueberries (or whatever fruit you like, dried cherries are also really delicious in this recipe)
9. Store the granola in an airtight container at room temperature for 1-2 weeks, or in a sealed freezer bag in the freezer for up to 3 months.
10. Enjoy! :)
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