DealDash Recipes: Healthy Granola

Granola is a very popular food that you can use for breakfast, brunch, or even a trail mix-type snack. The thing is, it’s not always healthy…

Granola is delicious and can be very healthy for you, however if you buy the kind that they have in the supermarket it can be filled with extra fats and sugars that you might not even notice unless you really scrutinize the nutrition label. Luckily, though, if you make the granola yourself it can be very heart-healthy. Heart-healthy foods are those that contain heart-healthy unsaturated fat such as nuts, olive oil, seeds & berries, or oats. Heart-healthy foods can also be low in fat.

To make your healthy granola mix you can combine ingredients such as almonds, oats, walnuts, pumpkin seeds, and other delicious and healthy things to make a delicious treat for yourself and your family.

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon ground flax seed
• 3 tablespoons water
• 1/2 cup olive oil
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
• 1/3 cup pure maple syrup
• 3 cups gluten-free rolled oats (not quick oats)
• 1/3 cup dried apples
• 1/2 cup raw walnuts
• 1/2 cup cashews
• 1/2 cup raw almonds
• 1/2 cup pumpkin seeds
• 1 cup dried cranberries
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon sea salt

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees
2. Make your binder by combining the ground flax seed and water, and allow the mixture to sit, stirring occasionally, until it thickens to the consistency of an egg.
3. Chop your nuts into smaller pieces either with a knife or a food processor.
4. Add all of your dry ingredients in large mixing bowl and mix well.
5. Mix together the oil, maple syrup, vanilla, and almond extract.
6. Pour the mixture into the bowl with the dry ingredients, along with the flax seed binder.
7. Stir well until everything is well coated.
8. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper, and pour the granola mixture onto the parchment covered baking sheet. Using a drinking glass with a flat bottom, press the mixture into the sheet, creating an even layer.
9. In your pre-heated oven, bake for about 40 minutes, just until the edges are golden-brown.
10. Remove the granola from the oven and let it cool to room temperature.
11. Store your granola for up to 10 days. Enjoy with fruit, yogurt, or by itself.

I hope that you enjoy your healthy home-made granola. It makes a great snack for the kids to take to school. If you need any new kitchen knives or a food processor be sure to check out DealDash. DealDash has all of the kitchen tools that you’ll ever need. Here is a link to the Kitchen and Dining category. Good luck and happy bidding everyone.