Is grain free granola good for you?

We all know that a handful of nuts a day is beneficial for overall heart health, but pecans and almonds especially, which are included in this grain free granola, also help reduce inflammation in the body (something a person with Celiac Disease definitely needs,) aid in weight loss (something I can attest to with ...

What is a good substitute for coconut oil in granola?

I prefer unrefined coconut oil , which is delicious (you can barely taste the coconut, if at all) and produces the perfect texture. You can use extra-virgin olive oil instead, if you'd like your granola to be a little more on the savory side. If you're watching your saturated fat intake, olive oil is a better choice!

Is granola a super food?

Good source of vitamins and minerals: Granola can be a good source of vitamins and minerals that help maintain overall health . These include iron, magnesium, and vitamins B and E, depending on the ingredients used. Rich in antioxidants: Some granola ingredients, like dried fruits and nuts, are rich in antioxidants.

Is it okay to eat granola every day?

Yes, granola can be eaten daily . As part of a balanced diet and if the portions are checked. Go for healthier options with less added sugars and saturated fats to get the most out of it.

Is granola better for you than Oatmeal?

Which One Is Better for Breakfast? Both oatmeal and granola make for a healthy, nutritious breakfast, but the winner for us is granola —the added nuts, seeds, and dried fruits give you a source of fiber and healthy fats that oatmeal can't quite compete with.

Is butter or oil better for granola?

Always use oil Olive oil is one such choice. The flavor won't interfere with the nuts and oats, and olive oil's overall fat content is decidedly low compared to some other options. You might also want to try using coconut oil or sunflower oil, which are also healthy alternatives.

Can I use butter instead of coconut oil in granola?

You can also use butter, regular refined coconut oil, vegetable or canola oil –simply choose which fat you prefer or have on hand.

What is a good substitute for olive oil in granola?

You could also use corn oil, canola oil/expeller pressed rapeseed oil or groundnut/peanut oil .

What is a healthy version of granola?

Some brands offer unique varieties such as quinoa and spelt. Granola without some sort of sugar would taste like cardboard. But the best bet is to choose a granola with minimally processed sweeteners such as maple syrup, honey and agave . Dried fruit will also add fiber, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.

What is grain free granola made of?

Grain free granola is made from a base of nuts and seeds instead of oats. This version is bound with coconut oil and nut butter, and it's flavored with cinnamon and vanilla.

What was the downside to granola as a food?

Granola may prompt weight gain if eaten in excess , as it can be high in calories from added fats and sugars. What's more, sugar is linked to chronic conditions like type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and obesity.

Why is grain free healthier?

A grain-free diet may reduce inflammation, aid weight loss, and improve digestion and blood sugar levels . It may also promote mental health and alleviate pain in people with fibromyalgia or endometriosis, though more research is needed.

Superfood Grain-Free Granola with Wild Blueberries and Coconut

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This grain-free granola is crunchy, sweet, and the perfect make-ahead breakfast. It’s also packed with superfoods, including coconut oil, ginger, chia seeds, flax, blueberries, and more!This post was sponsored by Crisco® Coconut Oil as part of an Influencer Activation for Influence Central and all opinions expressed in my post are my own.

I’m going to tell you guys a secret. I hate making breakfast for myself. Okay, so probably not the juiciest secret ever, but it’s true. I love making breakfast on the weekends or for other people, but on weekdays I refuse to turn on a stove in the morning. I’m not a morning person. At all.

Once I’ve had at least two cups of coffee, I decide I should probably eat something. It’s almost always one of three things: avocado toast, a fruit-and-nut bar of some kind, or granola with almond milk. Easy peasy, done and done.

I never really paid attention to what was in my store-bought granola, because granola is always healthy, right? (Wrong.) I thought if I was buying a high-quality, organic brand that it was fine. Taking a closer look at some of my favorite granolas showed that wasn’t always the case. Evaporated cane juice is almost always the first or second ingredient, and some even had corn syrup. (I like this NPR article on “evaporated cane juice” and this one from Processed Free America.) And while I don’t eat a strict gluten-free diet, I have changed to eating mostly gluten-free foods, including bread, pasta, and granola/cereals.

All of which has inspired me to make my own granola: this superfood-packed and naturally sweetened Grain-Free Granola!

This fruity, crunchy grain-free granola is packed to the brim with superfoods of all kinds. There’s nuts, flax, pepitas, coconut, chia seeds, raw honey, cinnamon, ginger, and wild blueberries. Each of these nutritious additions add a ton of health benefits. Let’s explore.

Organic Unrefined Coconut Oil

I know there’s a lot of controversy against coconut oil at the moment, but I am a firm supporter still. Organic, unrefined coconut oil is healthy in moderation. Unrefined coconut oil has antioxidant, antimicrobial and anti-cancer properties. Coconut oil can improve energy and endurance and boost the immune system.

I love to use coconut oil in this grain-free granola, as it helps it get nice and brown and crunchy. Here I used the newCrisco®Unrefined Organic Coconut Oil.This organic coconut oil is a great choice to replace butter or other oils in just about any of your recipes, including baking. The unrefined version imparts a lovely, distinct coconut flavor, but you could use the Crisco Refined Organic Coconut Oilif you are looking for a neutral coconut oil that has no flavor or aroma. I picked mine up at Target (happiest place on Earth), which is also offering a 25% off coupon through Cartwheel until October 7th.

Almonds

Almonds are high in both protein and fiber, keeping you fuller for longer. They are the most nutritionally-dense nut, lowering “bad” LDL cholesterol and aiding in heart health. Almonds are also high in potassium, vitamin E, iron, calcium, and magnesium. These tasty nuts are also loaded with antioxidants, and studies have proven that they can reduce oxidative stress.

Walnuts

Another heart-healthy superstar, walnuts are an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acid, phytosterol, and antioxidants, which makes them great cancer fighters. Their benefits don’t stop there. Since walnuts are high in biotin, they’re excellent for the hair, skin, and nails. These nuts also protect the brain and can help prevent Alzheimer‘s disease.

Cashews

Buttery, delicious cashews are one of my favorite nuts. Although they don’t have the same fiber content as walnuts or almonds, they’re still great for you in other ways. Like walnuts and almonds, heart-healthy cashews lower your risk for cardiovascular disease. The high copper and iron content in cashews also aid in keeping our blood vessels and immune system healthy. They are also high in vitamin K, magnesium, zinc, and protein.

Pepitas

Pumpkin seeds aren’t just an afterthought to Halloween pumpkin carving. I eat these guys year-round for their incredible health benefits. They’re loaded with heart-healthy magnesium, zinc, and omega-3 fatty acids. They also possess anti-inflammatory properties and can boost serotonin levels due to their high tryptophan-to-protein ratio. Serotonin can lead to better mood, sleep, appetite, and overall function.

Chia Seeds

The world’s tiniest superfood! Chia seeds are one of the best sources of plant-based protein, fiber, and omega-3’s. The benefits of these tiny seeds are vast, from aiding in blood sugar regulation to reducing inflammation to improving brain function. There’s 10 grams of fiber per ounce of chia, which equals 30 percent of your total daily recommended value. Chia seeds are also high in calcium, containing five times more calcium than milk per ounce.

Flax

I love adding flax in wherever I can because of its excellent fiber content. Flaxseeds are loaded with nutrients, fiber, protein, healthy fats, B vitamins, and cancer-fighting lignans. Flaxseeds contain up to 800 times more lignans than other plant foods, and have been shown to prevent breast cancer and prostate cancer.

Raw Honey

Raw, wild honey is delicious and my go-to natural sweetener. Raw honey is pure, unpasteurized, and unprocessed. It’s a natural energy source and chock-full of disease-fighting antioxidants. The anti-inflammatory properties of honey can also aid in allergy relief and boost the immune system. Raw honey is anti-allergic, anti-bacterial, and anti-inflammatory, and has been proven to neutralize toxins, relieve pain, and treat coughs (better than drugs).

Wild Blueberries

Our grain-free granola gets a fruity punch of flavor from dried, unsweetened wild blueberries, which are high in antioxidants, fiber, vitamin C, and nutrients, but low in calories and sugar content compared to most fruit. Blueberries boost brain health, regulate blood sugar, and support digestion.

Cinnamon

Cinnamon has been well-known for its medicinal properties for ages. I always use Ceylon cinnamon, also known as the “true” cinnamon. Cinnamon is a superfood, full of antioxidants and cancer-fighting compounds. The antimicrobial effects of cinnamon are linked to preventing tooth decay and inhibiting harmful bacteria growth.

Ginger

Like cinnamon, ginger contains powerful medicinal properties. Ginger is most commonly known as preventing and treating nausea, but its health benefits go far beyond that. Anti-inflammatory ginger can reduce muscle pain, ease osteoarthritis discomfort, and reduce menstrual pain as effectively as drugs. Ginger is also a great source of natural energy and aids in digestion.

Per serving, this grain-free granola has 201 calories, 4 grams of fiber, and 6 grams of protein.

It is delicious served with almond milk and fresh blueberries, over Greek yogurt (for even more protein!), or by itself for a crunchy, filling snack.

And here’s a few things you may need for this recipe:

Crisco Unrefined Organic Coconut Oil // Organic Black Chia Seeds // Organic Ground Flaxseed // Organic Ceylon Cinnamon // Dried Wild Blueberries

This post contains affiliate links, and are always products I love & highly recommend.

Description

This grain-free granola is crunchy, sweet, and the perfect make-ahead breakfast. It’s also packed with superfoods, including coconut oil, ginger, chia seeds, flax, blueberries, and more!

Ingredients

Scale

1 1/2 cups raw sliced almonds
1 cup raw cashews, chopped
1 cup raw pepitas
1 cup raw walnuts, chopped
1 cup unsweetened flaked coconut
3 tablespoons chia seeds
1 tablespoon ground flax
1 teaspoon pure vanilla
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
1 1/2 teaspoonsCeylon cinnamon
3/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 cupCriscoorganic unrefined coconut oil
1/3 cupraw organic honey
1/2 cup dried unsweetened wild blueberries

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Instructions

Preheat the oven to 300°F and line a full baking sheet (or two half sheets) with parchment paper.
In a large bowl, mix together the nuts, pepitas, chia seeds, flax, flaked coconut, cinnamon, ginger, and sea salt.
In a small pan, heat the coconut oil and honey until warm and melted, but not boiling. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla. Pour the honey mixture over the nut mixture and stir very well to combine.
Pour the granola mixture on the baking pan (or divide evenly among two) and press down with an offset spatula. Bake the granola until golden brown and crisp, about 22-25 minutes. Stir the granola once or twice while baking to ensure even browning.
When the granola is evenly brown, remove from the oven and stir in the dried blueberries. Press the granola down firmly again, using an offset spatula or the back of a measuring cup. Let the granola cool thoroughly for at least 45 minutes, and then break into pieces. Store the granola in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1-2 weeks.

Notes

Make sure that the granola is brown before removing from the oven, but not burnt. The granola should be a deep golden brown and fragrant. Under-cooking the granola will result in soggy granola instead of a crisp, crunchy granola.

To make this granola vegan, use maple syrup in place of honey.

Tip: When measuring honey, measure the coconut oil first in a measuring cup. This will grease the cup and your honey will come out much easier!

Pressing the granola down firmly is what ensures it’s crispy and “sticks” together to form those delicious clusters. Allowing it to cool completely is also important here, and allows it to set.