maureenpr/istockphoto
READ MORE ABOUT:
I used to be addicted to cereal. I often wonder how much of my waistline diminished just for crossing it off my grocery list. Cereal is often addictive because it has so much sugar. Even if you're buying organic cereal instead of Cocoa Puffs, you can still do better. Not only is cereal often loaded with sugar, the fact of the matter is cereal usually comes in a plastic bag within a cardboard box that all gets thrown away at least once a week if not more. So instead, consider making your own granola or granola bars for a delicious and on-the-go breakfast.
1. Cherry Deluxe Granola
I'm not sure what makes this deluxe but it is delicious. The coconut and the good butter add some serious bulk and richness to the recipe but it's still pretty healthy. I truly like that you control the sugar content on this and you don't get stuck feeling like you're eating a candy bar.
Ingredients:
3 cups rolled oats
1 cup almonds
1/2 cup raw honey
1/2 cup palm sugar
3 tbsp local butter melted
1 tsp flax seeds
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp sea salt
1 cup plump dried cherries, chopped
1 cup coconut
Method:
- Preheat oven to 300 degrees.
- In a large bowl, combine all of the ingredients except cherries and coconut.
- Prepare a large baking pan with parchment paper. Pour mixture onto pan, spread evenly with spatuala and bake for 45 minutes or until golden brown—stirring mix in the pan every 15 minutes.
- Remove from oven and immediately add dried fruit and coconut. Stir well. Allow to cool before serving or storing.
2. Kelly Rossiter's Oatmeal Raisin Granola Bars
Image courtesy of Kris Jacobs/istockphoto.
Kelly Rossiter's granola bar recipe is so easy and so delicious, you'll never want to waste your money on store bought again. Kelly added some dried cranberries and that made a really nice tart addition to the bar. If you have kids at home you might add a few chocolate chips for an extra treat. Try experimenting with different flavors and see what works with your family.
3. Lyon in the Kitchen's Homemade Granola
The Lyon in the Kitchen granola recipe uses grapeseed, sunflower, or almond oil. All three oils have light tastes, even less so than olive oil in my opinion. It also uses orange zest to add some tang and fruity undertones. Totally delicious with the sugar source coming from honey. Make sure you find a good honey vendor in your area to buy your raw honey from instead of buying the trucked in variety.
4. Melinda's Homemade Granola Recipe
This is a granola recipe from Slashfood. I like this one because of the addition of sesame seeds which add texture and nutty flavor. Not only are sesame seeds a very good source of manganese and copper, but they are also a good source of calcium, magnesium, iron, phosphorus, vitamin B1, zinc, and dietary fiber. The recipe also includes wheat germ as a great source of vitamin E, most of the B vitamin group, folic acid, and a number of minerals such as iron, calcium, and zinc. This is an adaptation, as I definitely changed the recipe around a bit.
Ingredients:
2 cups rolled oats (not instant)
1 cup peanuts
1/4 cup sesame seeds
1/2 cup toasted sunflower seeds
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup unsweetened organic coconut
1/4 cup wheat germ
1/4 cup flax seed
1/2 cup raw honey
1/2 cup raisins
1/2 cup dried apricots and dried apple
Method:
- Add oats, peanuts, sesame seeds, sunflower seeds, and oil to a bowl and combine.
- Add coconut, wheat germ, flax seed, and honey. Mix with your hands.
- Toss everything together until evenly coated and then pour out into a baking pan. I use a large roasting pan, as it keeps everything contained.
- Bake at 300 degrees for 30 minutes, turning it with a spatula every ten minutes or so. You want everything to be an even golden brown.
- When it is finished cooking, return the baked granola to the mixing bowl, add the raisins and fruit and combine. Stir gently several times as it cooks, so that it doesn't clump together too much.
5. Missy Chase Lapine's Granola Bars
Jasmin wrote about Missy Chase Lapine's recipe for crispy granola bars-packed with dried fruit, chocolate chips, and almonds—for noshing on when you're away from your stove and on the go. This recipe becomes unique when you use blueberries instead of raisins. The nonfat dry milk is also a way to add bulk not found in the other recipes.
More Do it Yourself Recipes:
Make Your Own Organic Almond Milk for Pennies
Try These Easy English Muffins
Make Your Own Cottage Cheese
Got a tip or a post idea for us to write about on Planet Green? Email pgtips (at) treehugger (dot) com.
-
- {}
