I don't know about you, but for me breakfast feels like the most challenging meal of the day. Maybe it's just early and the morning coffee hasn't woken my creative brain quite yet, but consistently coming up with new and inspiring breakfast meal ideas that my family will love and doesn't leave me with a ton of kitchen clean-up is a skill I still have to master. I mean, let's be honest, how many different ways can you make eggs before it’s old news?
Well today, I finally perfected what I consider the home run of healthy, fun, breakfast go-to ingredients I like to call Energy Blast Breakfast and Snack Granola. Sounds like a mouthful and it is! A delightful combination all of my favorite ingredients blended into one stellar batch of goodness. It's super simple to make and absolutely delicious!
Toss it into a bowl of yogurt, add it to oatmeal, and throw a handful into your favorite smoothie mix for extra nutrition or just eat it as it for a light and healthy start to your day. This mix travels well too. Pack some in your kids lunch box, bring a container to work for a mid-day snack or if you are a health-conscious movie goer, throw a bag of this granola snack into your purse and skip the candy at the popcorn counter. (Although, I'll admit its hard to pass up on a delicious box of chocolate covered raisins - my favorite!).
Since we are on the subject of healthy options, the combination of nuts, seeds, dried fruit, cinnamon, and other ingredients pack a powerful punch of the good stuff including vitamins, minerals, and healthy fats which your body needs for energy and nutrition.
Studies show eating one handful or 1-ounce of nuts and seeds each day will boost energy, strengthen your immune system, and help to keep you full until your next meal. Since there are a total of 7 different nuts and seeds plus two dried fruits in this recipe, you and your family will enjoy the nutritional benefits that each has to offer.
Though these are my favorite ingredients, you can customize the recipe to fit your taste by using your favorite combination of fruits, nuts, and seeds to make it yours. All of that sounds great, right? But my favorite part of this health-packed granola mix is the flavor fusion you get with your first bite. It's pretty dang delicious if I do say so myself. Another way to enjoy this granola is topped over my Dairy-free Breakfast in a Glass recipe. A tasty way to add an extra crunch and nutrition to your breakfast meal. Wishing you excellent health this year and beyond!
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| Prep Time | 10 minutes |
| Cook Time | 25 minutes |
| Servings |
servings
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- 2 cups organic old fashioned oats
- 1/2 cup almonds whole or chopped
- 1/2 cup walnuts whole or chopped
- 1/2 cup Brazil nuts whole or chopped
- 1/2 cup cashews whole or chopped
- 2 tablespoons pumpklin seeds
- 2 tablespoons pine nuts
- 2 tablespoons sunflower seeds
- 3 tablespoons melted coconut oil
- 1/3 cup coconut nectar
- 1 tablespoons Bourbon Vanilla Bean Paste Madagascar
- 1 tablespoon cinnamon
- 1 cup your favorite mixed dried fruit apricots, medjool dates, raisins, cranberries, tart cherries, etc.
Ingredients
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- Preheat oven to 350 Fahrenheit.
- In a large mixing bowl, add oats, almonds, walnuts, Brazil nuts, cashews, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, pine nuts.
- In a separate small bowl, whisk together coconut oil, coconut nectar, vanilla bean paste, and cinnamon until it is completely blended.
- Pour mixture over contents in the large bowl and stir until ingredients are evenly coated.
- Pour granola on to a baking tray and spread out evenly. Bake 20-25 minutes, turning granola half way through the baking process. The granola is done when it turns lightly golden brown.
- Remove from oven and let cool before transferring it to a container. Add in your favorite combination of dried fruit and toss to combine. Granola will keep in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
This granola works wonderfully over yogurt and fresh fruit, in smoothies, combined with milk, a cake or ice cream topping, and as a snack.
Recipe by Lisa Soldo-Johnson for culinarybutterfly.com