Homemade Granola

Granola is a delicious breakfast choice, and it’s fantastically healthy. The one major problem with granola is that it seems ten times more expensive than regular cereal, but follow these recipes from Great Harvest in Spokane to whip up your own and you could save money and tailor your granola to include all your favorites!

The base of your granola should be made up of whole grains to provide healthy carbohydrates for energy and fiber for good digestive health. Plain rolled oats are a good option, but you could also include rye, spelt, barley, bran, and so forth. Many whole foods stores have big sacks of these available at relatively low cost, and they keep very well, so stock up!

Nuts are the meat of the granola, providing protein, healthy fats (they’re rich in brain-boosting omega 3 fatty acids) and long-lasting energy. Pick your favorite, or include a variety. We love walnuts and almonds, but feel free to include peanuts, cashews, pecans, pistachios, macadamias, or any other. Again, nuts are far cheaper if bought in bulk, and they last for a long time so they’re a worthy investment.

Avoid refined white sugar, as there are much healthier alternatives. Instead, opt for a natural syrup such as maple syrup that provides sweetness but with a much lower glycemic index than white sugar, meaning it releases energy slowly over time and avoids the energy spikes and slumps associated with refined sugars. Maple syrup also provides the best texture, in our opinion.

Oil will give your granola an excellent consistency after baking, and healthy oils are rich in good fats and help to fight off heart disease. One of the healthiest and most delicious choices available is virgin coconut oil, but feel free to pick your favorite.

Mix 3 cups of grains, 1 ½ cups of nuts, ½ cup of sweetener, and ¼ cup of oil, then bake at 300 degrees Fahrenheit for 40 minutes, stirring halfway through. Allow to cool and then transfer to an airtight container.

Add a cup of seeds (either before or after baking) to give a further boost to your granola’s protein, healthy fat and nutrient content, and to give another layer of flavor. Dried fruit can add a little more sweetness, and many are rich in fiber and valuable vitamins and minerals. Add a cup of chopped dried apple, apricot, banana, raisins, cranberries, etc. after baking. Spice it up by mixing in cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, or even more experimental flavors like cardamom. Add these to the mix before baking for a deeper flavor. You could add chocolate chips or cocoa powder for a little extra decadence; cocoa is a potent antioxidant and stimulant, so it could help give you a little boost in the morning.

Sometimes you might not fancy granola for breakfast, perhaps you’d prefer toast or anotherhealthy breakfast option. For the perfect loaf, pay a visit to Great Harvest to pick up the best bread in Spokane, baked using whole grain flour fresh milled on site each morning. Call (509) 535-1146 to learn what we have in store today.