Lightly Sweetened Granola
So we are officially one month into 2016 – is it me or is time flying by? Typically around this time of the year I start to get a little tired of ‘hearty & heavy’ meals, so I try and eat a little lighter. Breakfast is typically the beginning signs of how the rest of my day will play out. I know if I skip it, by around 11am I will be starving which means over-eating. Over-eating an early lunch means feeling ridiculously full, which makes me want to nap… and then the day goes no where. I’m either struggling to stay away so I’m dashing for the 5th or 6th cup of coffee, or I’m knocked out on the couch getting nothing on my “to do list” done. Then I wake up, make dinner and head into the evening routine which makes me feel like I accomplished very little – not what I want. So I made a batch of this lightly sweetened granola, and it has served me well. There are a million ways to enjoy granola (ok, well maybe not a million and I’m being a little over dramatic), but I can’t get enough of it served over vanilla yogurt with a little fruit added to the mix.
I started making my own after a trip to the grocery store left my jaw hanging. I gave the list of ingredients and nutritional value a glance and noticed how much SODIUM was in one serving!! Or extra added sugar?! No Thanks! So I set out to make my own, and haven’t looked back since. I know all it take is a little planning, a few easy steps, and I have something healthy sitting on my pantry shelf fro quick breakfasts, snacks or packing some in a container to take with me on the go. I think the trick to eating healthier is simplicity. If a meal or a snack is going to be a huge effort, a big grocery order run and a lot of hassle, I just can’t commit to it. I want to be able to get some extra meals/snack ready in a short amount of time while Hazel (who is now 5 months!!) plays next to me, or is napping. Plus both Ève and Audrey both love making this with me since it’s a simple pour and stir recipe!
Fair warning:
This makes 6 1/2 cups. That’s about 26 servings of 1/4 cup. For me, that’s the perfect amount to top granola, or ice-cream, or a smoothie bowl. You can up the amount to 1/3 cup if you want to enjoy with cut up fruit and a little skim milk or almond milk.
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The perfect way to start your da off right, or grab a handful to snack on! Lightly sweetened makes this granola a total win in our house!
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 Quick Cooking Oats (NOT instant, Also use gluten-free if you would like to make this gf)
- 1/2 cup uncooked Quinoa
- 1/4 cup Flax Seeds
- 1/4 cup Pecan pieces
- 1/4 cup Walnut pieces
- 1/4 cup Chia Seeds
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
- 1 tsp coconut or vegetable oil
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp nutmeg
- 1/2 tsp vanilla
- 2 – 3 tbsp brown sugar (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.
- On a parchment lined baking sheet, spread quinoa, and oats out evenly.
- Toast in the oven or about 12-14 minutes or until they turn a little golden.
- Meanwhile, in a large bowl, combine honey, unsweetened applesauce, oil, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla and brown sugar if using. Whisk until everything is mixed well.
- Add the flax seeds, peans, walnuts, chia seeds and stir well.
- When the oats and quinoa are done, remove from the oven and turn the heat down to 325 degrees.
- Add the oats and quinoa to the honey/seed mixture. Stir until everything is coated.
- Spread back out on parchment lined baking sheet and make sure everything is evenly spread out. Place back in the oven for about 20 minutes or until everything turns golden.
- Let cool on the sheet, then break into clusters.
I love that mornings get a little easier with this, or if the kids have an activity to go to. It’s a simple way to make a healthy choice rather then reaching for a bag of chips, or stopping at a drive through somewhere because you didn’t have time to eat before you left. Plus it’s great on road trips, and I love that it’s not overly sweet.
How do you enjoy your granola? Do you have special things you like to add in yours?
Thank you so much stopping in again today! It’s always a pleasure when you come by! I hope you have a wonderful week and we will chat soon!
Cheers xo
I make my own granola for the same reasons. I’m always shocked by the amount of sugar in store-bought granola! I like all the ingredients in your recipe, and quite excited to try including apple sauce when I make granola next. 🙂
Wow, that looks amazing. I love making my own granola. I’ll give your version a try!
Thanks I really hope you enjoy 🙂
We are really watching our sugar intake as well… its crazy how much premade foods have in them. My husband loves granola, but being pre diabetic its not been on his acceptable foods. I may have to try this and see if it satisfies his craving! Thanks
I actually make it sometimes with out the brown sugar so the only added sugar is from honey which is all natural and can make a difference with #s. Hopefully this works for your house 🙂
Looks delicious. I’ve never made granola before I’ve always wanted to though since I’m sure it’s much healthier than the store versions. I don’t know why but I making granola seems kind of intimidating, I need to get over that lol.
Store-bought “granola” is probably one of the worst cereals out there, simply because you think it’s so good for you—until you read the label and find “sugar” is in the top three ingredients, and because of the preservatives. What I like best about this recipe: I can pronounce the name of everything in it!
Granola is usually way too sweet for me. Yours sounds like the perfect level of sweetness.
I love making large batches of things we eat all the time. Your granola recipe has just gone on my to-make list!
I hope you enjoy it as much as we do!
I love this recipe! Simple and healthy breakfast! Thanks for sharing!
This would be delicious with yogurt, that is my favorite way to eat granola!
It is nice to see a lightly sweetened granola recipe. I find most granola recipes to be very sugary. Your recipe looks very healthy..
I tried to keep it simple, so you could change it up. I sometimes use this as a “base” for my trail mix and will add craisins, and mini dark chocolate chips, with almonds and i know that it will be sweetened enough with the extra additions.
YUM! I love to make granola and granola bars but I have never put in quinoa. Love that idea. Can’t believe your baby is 5 months!! My little guy just turned 1 and it’s so sad to look back at photos from last year!
I never had granola … after see yours here..I should search it around here…thx for inspiration 🙂
Oh my! This would not go past the first day in my household. I can’t seem to get my hands off the Jar when it comes to homemade granola
.Love the fact you include quinoa in it. Makes Super healthy. YUM!!
Now this is something I’ve never tried, but definitely will. Simply because I won’t buy granola in the store because of the high sugar content. Inspiring!
Hi Kaitie
What would you suggest In place of quinoa ?
Dried couscous would work as well! Rinse and pat dry or you can leave it out entirely
have always been meaning to make my own granola. your recipe sounds simple and doable and i have all the ingredients. will try soon.
I hope you enjoy!!
I have never made my own granola before. I like that this recipe is lightly sweetened as the store-bought granola can be so sugary! Love that you added chia seeds and flax seeds to your granola; they are little seeds that pack a lot of nutritional benefits!
★★★★★
Exactly and you wouldn’t taste the difference but you know your getting extra benefits!
I’ve never considered making my own granola this looks so simple and tasty.
★★★★★
Ridiculously easy. I always try and have a batch made! Even tastes good on ice cream!
I love Granola, and I recently tried making granola using coconut Apricot. Yours have different ingredients and since they are lightly sweetened, I would love to try them.