Grain Free Granola
It is so hard to find a granola recipe that doesn’t include honey or maple syrup, even in a small amounts. And personally, these small amount, for me, add up. First I want to put 1 tsp, then I put 2 tsp, and on and on. This is especially true for my daughters, I found as soon as I started adding a little but of sweet to things, they only wanted those items sweetened. They stopped exploring the actual flavors. I could cook anything and as long as I added sugar, they would eat it. That sounds great, right? It’s just picky eating that gets pickier and pickier. And the more sugar they eat, they more often they get sick, the more mood swings they have, the more tantrums at meal time, sleeping gets worse… sounds no so great anymore. Luckily my oldest does love nuts. She prefers raw, to salted but I have seen how bad a cup of raw cashews can tear up her stomach! So I decided to create some cooked nuts for her, that she (and I) would love to munch on. No added sweetner, instead we used an egg white to bind the nuts, adding extra protein.
So how did I chose what to put in this granola?
Pecans - Provide a good source of vitamins and minerals, including zinc, magnesium, and vitamin E, which support immune function. They are also packed with antioxidants, helping to fight inflammation. Better immune function means less sick kids!
Sunflower Seeds - Packed with magnesium, they contribute to healthy muscle function, bone strength, and improved mood. They have a high protein and fiber content can help regulate blood sugar levels and support satiety. Stable blood sugar means less cranky kids!
Pumpkin Seeds - They contain zinc, which boosts immune function and supports skin health, they are also rich in magnesium as well.
Chia seeds - Rich in protein and antioxidants, chia seeds can boost energy and support muscle recovery. They also provide essential minerals like calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus, which contribute to bone strength
Goji Berries - I chose Goji Berries over other dried fruit because they have less sugar, add a fun pop of color, and contain a larger amount of antioxidants and Vitamin C over other dried fruits
Grain Free Granola
This Grain Free Granola is great to have sitting on your counter all week for an extra healthy snack! It can be customized to use whatever nuts you have in your house, and you can play around with adding different dried fruits, and coconut shreds as well!
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 10
Ingredients
1 1/2 cups of pecans, lightly crushed
1 cup of sunflower seeds
1/2 cup of pumpkin seeds
1/4 cup chia seeds
1 egg white
1/4 cup goji berries
salt (optional)
Instructions:
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Lightly crush your pecans in a bowl, then mix in sunflower, pumpkin, and chia seeds.
Mix in egg white, trying to coat all of the nuts
Pour the nut mixture on the baking sheet, trying to keep it in one layer, but its ok if the nuts are touching.
Bake for 25-30 minutes and take the baking sheet out, and mix in the goji berries and sprinkle with a pinch of salt if using.
Let the nut mixture cool completely (up to an hour) on the baking sheet. This lets the nuts form bigger chunks.
Enjoy on top of oatmeal, yogurt, or just eat as a tasty snack!
