Tag Archives: granola

Sugar-Free Peanut Butter Protein Granola

sugar-free peanut butter protein granola, nuttzo, healthy, food, cooking,

One absolutely essential thing I learned as I became serious about my health is that food matters!

Like gas for your car, the higher octane (quality), the better it runs. Same for your body, higher quality, wholesome food will help it fire on all cylinders by performing better physically and mentally.

Over the years I became fed up when searching for food without added non-food ingredients I can’t pronounce. So I started making my own as much as possible. Like, for instance, granola.

I used to be a cereal fanatic years ago. You usually find some form of sugar as the second ingredient along with processed grains made to resemble “O’s” or little leprechauns. Tasty, yes, but not worth putting in my body.

As my health views changed, I switched from the sugary kind and found low to no sugar varieties as much as possible. But even then it’s still processed into shapes and conveniently packed into a perfectly shaped box. I finally decided there were better alternatives than pouring crunchy clusters into a bowl for a “healthy meal”.

Looking to fill the gap to get my cereal fix, I created a quick and easy recipe for granola. Most granola has a lot of sugar and processed vegetable oil added; I wanted to avoid both.

With the help of stevia and tasty fruit like ripe bananas, applesauce, or pumpkin puree (yes, it’s a fruit), avoiding fat and sugar is easy. Omitting low quality oil and using fruit puree as a substitute allows your recipes to have sweetness with way less calories from fat.

Here’s something that is healthy and fairly simple to make.

Sugar and Oil Free Peanut Butter Protein Granola

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 325.
  • Mix the dry ingredients together in a large mixing bowl using a wire whisk.
  • In a separate mixing bowl, add all wet ingredients and mix well.
  • Add the wet to the dry and stir until well combined.
  • On a parchment lined cookie sheet spread the mixture out evenly and bake for 30 – 35 minutes. Every 10-15 minutes stir the granola for even baking.

I used to make this all the time for Kelley and myself, but had to put an end to it for a while. If you’re wondering why, it’s because we became dangerously addicted to its delicious crunch. We’d both sit at work and mindlessly chomp away until it was gone! You can have too much of healthy food too.

Although it’s wonderful alone, my favorite way to enjoy this granola is with plain Greek yogurt, NuttZo, and frozen blueberries in a cup.

Refills usually always happen.

Make this for yourself and family to help fuel the day or as a healthy snack anytime of day.

Are you a cereal addict?

In milk, yogurt, or both?

What’s your favorite form of cereal; flakes, o’s, clusters, or tiny sprouted crunchy grains like Ezekiel (The only boxed cereal we use now)?

Healthy Low Calorie Coconut Protein Granola

healthy low calorie protein granola, cereal, breakfast

Do you love granola but not the stuff in most packaged versions? If yes, you’re not alone. Finding a good granola without added vegetable oils, is non-gmo (preferably organic), free of refined sugar, and doesn’t have too many dried fruits (with added oil and sugar) is not easy. Nevermind the high price of a tiny bag of most “gourmet” versions!

Similar to my coconut salmon cakes, this recipe takes the healthful deliciousness of granola to your kitchen? This greatly reduces cost while increasing nutrition.

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High protein, gluten free, no refined sugar, and full of crunchy flavor, how can you NOT love it? This coconut granola will have you skipping the bags on the shelf and quickly making a second batch in your home.

Seriously,  make a second batch because the first one will go quick. I speak from experience….

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Healthy Low Calorie Coconut Protein Granola

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 325.
  • Mix the dry ingredients together in a large mixing bowl using a wire whisk.
  • In a separate mixing bowl, add the pumpkin puree with 2 T milk or water.
  • Melt the coconut oil and mix into pumpkin mixture.
  • Add the wet to the dry and stir until well combined; this takes a while, be patient
  • On a parchment lined cookie sheet spread the mixture out evenly and bake for 30 – 35 minutes. Every 10-15 minutes stir and break up the granola for even baking.
  • Remove from oven once you see granola turning a deep golden color.
  • Allow to cool and enjoy however you would. The clusters make excellent portable snacks and smaller pieces can be used for your milk/yogurt “dressing”.

If you don’t care about the gluten free part, feel free to substitute rolled oats in place of the puffed cereal. Or you can use certified gluten-free oats. The oats will actually make for a crunchier granola.

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I hope you try and love this healthy recipe, and maybe even share with others if can! Have a great Sunday!

Do you like granola or try to keep away?

What’s your favorite treat that you wish could be healthier? I might have a way to make it better if you share.

Going Healthy: Low Calorie Coconut Protein Granola

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Are you sensing a theme with coconut here? Last week was coconut salmon cakes, this week it’s coconut granola, and who knows what’ll be next? I just happened to be a little excessive when buying coconut flour in bulk a while back, so now I’m trying to make good use of it.

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This granola definitely counts as good use to me, and I’m sure you’ll enjoy it too. High protein, gluten free, no refined sugar, and full of crunchy flavor, how can you NOT love it?

Make sure you make a second batch because the first one will go quick. I speak from experience….

DSC_2237

Low Calorie Coconut Protein Granola

Ingredients

  • 2 cups puffed corn cereal; I used Arrowhead Mills
  • 2 cups puffed millet cereal; again, Arrowhead Mills
  • 1 T Cinnamon; I like it very cinnamon-intense, add only 1/2 a tablespoon if like
  • 2 scoops vanilla protein powder; I use egg white protein sweetened with stevia
  • 1/2 cup coconut flour
  • 1/4 tsp sea salt
  • 1/4 cup oat bran
  • 1/2 cup pumpkin puree; mashed ripe banana is excellent too
  • 2 T milk of choice or water
  • 1 T coconut oil
  • 3 packets of stevia powder or 25 drops of liquid stevia; I don’t like it too sweet, so if you want add more to taste
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 325.
  • Mix the dry ingredients together in a large mixing bowl using a wire whisk.
  • In a separate mixing bowl, add the pumpkin puree with 2 T milk or water.
  • Melt the coconut oil and mix into pumpkin mixture.
  • Add the wet to the dry and stir until well combined; this takes a while, be patient
  • On a parchment lined cookie sheet spread the mixture out evenly and bake for 30 – 35 minutes. Every 10-15 minutes stir and break up the granola for even baking.
  • Remove from oven once you see granola turning a deep golden color.
  • Allow to cool and enjoy however you would. The clusters make excellent portable snacks and smaller pieces can be used for your milk/yogurt “dressing”.

If you don’t care about the gluten free part, feel free to substitute rolled oats in place of the puffed cereal. Or you can use certified gluten-free oats. The oats will actually make for a crunchier granola.

DSC_2241

I hope you try and love this healthy recipe, and maybe even share with others if can! Have a great Sunday!

Do you like granola or try to keep away?

What’s your favorite treat that you wish could be healthier? I might have a way to make it better if you share.