I used to buy granola religiously. I’d mix it up with yogurt and berries for breakfast or add some almond milk and thought I was eating the healthiest brekkie in the world. I was wrong. Pre-packaged granola can be loaded with sugar, and even though it’s made with natural ingredients, it can also contain high fructose corn syrup and hydrogenated oils. Yuk! So I started making my own and guess what: it’s super easy to make! That way you control the ingredients and the sugar, and it’s pretty easy to make gluten free if you opt for gluten free oats.
Allison’s Granola Recipe
Ingredients
DRY:
2 cups old fashioned oats (not quick oats)
1 cup steel cut oats (you can also use uncooked quinoa for a protein boost)
½ cup wheat germ
¼ teaspoon salt
1/3 cup sunflower seeds
2-3 tablespoons sesame seeds
WET:
1 egg white, beaten
½ cup maple syrup
½ cup safflower, grapeseed oil or melted coconut oil
2 tablespoons vanilla
½ cup dried fruit (cranberries, raisins, cut up apricots… whatever you want)
Optional nuts
Directions:
Combine the dry ingredients in a large bowl. Combine the wet ingredients in a medium bowl. Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients and stir until evenly distributed. Transfer to a baking dish (1 use 2 separate pans… keep in mind that you’re going to be periodically mixing while it cooks, so you want extra room.) Bake at 250 degrees for 20 minutes or until crispy. Stir every 5 minutes-ish because the granola on the edge will cook faster. Once cool, add in dried fruit. You can also add in pecans and almonds after cooking (they tend to burn in the oven).
