I used to stay away from granola because of all the sugar. But with my winning healthy recipe, it has become one of my favorite snacks.
Your typical store-bought granola can be far from healthy, loaded with unnecessary fats and sugars, and often containing more sugar and fat than a doughnut! The best way to enjoy this yummy crunchy snack is to make your own. It can be as simple as four ingredients, or you can get creative and add more to jazz up your granola. Be aware, the more you add the more calories you add to each serving, so often keeping it simple is best.
Making your own healthy version is super easy and takes very little time. I like to cook up a batch, each week, to nibble on as a snack, as a cereal with almond milk or make a parfait with yogurt. The best part is this granola is a well-balanced mix of good-for-you protein, fiber, fat and carbs, making it a complete snack option.
With the month of LOVE in full swing, I decided to make a chocolate strawberry version of my granola, and it came out incredible. Check out my yummy (and healthy) high-protein granola and let me know what you think!
Keep it simple with four ingredients:
1. Whole Oats. I use the 100 percent pure whole rolled oats, not the “instant” or “quick cooking.”
2. Coconut Oil. Coconut oil is my oil of choice. Full of MCTs, giving you all the good fats plus the energy to sustain your hardest workouts. It is the ingredient that will help bind the other ingredients together.
3. Protein Powder. Adding a high-quality protein powder adds the extra protein to make for a complete meal. Most granolas are more carb-based, so adding the protein balances out the macros, giving you the protein, too.
4. Sweetener. To sweeten, I use Flex Flavors, which are flavored stevia packs. This is how I add flavor without the sugar. Most granolas are loaded with sugar, often using real sugar or honey. It is this one ingredient that can really add unnecessary calories in the form of sugar! Even granolas that appear to be “healthy” are really not when you look at the amount of sugar in a single serving. Flex Flavors has made my granola flavorful yet sugarless!
*Additional (optional) Ingredients. You can get creative and add other ingredients such as nuts and seeds or even dried fruit. However keep in mind, it will increase the calorie and macro content for each serving. Often best to keep it simple then you can have more in one serving.
GINA’S SIMPLE CHOCOLATE STRAWBERRY GRANOLA
Ingredients
2 cups raw, whole rolled oats
2 scoops Devotion Brownie Batter protein
1/2 cup coconut oil, melted
5 Strawberry Fields Flex Flavors
1.5 cups freeze dried strawberries (optional)
pinch of sea salt
Directions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Combine all ingredients, except dried fruit (if you are adding fruit) in a mixing bowl and use a spatula to mix well and toss to until all oats are coated with ingredients. Spread the mixture on a baking sheet and bake for 45 minutes or until lightly toasted and golden brown. I suggest you mix around about half way through cooking to allow to toast evenly. Allow to cool and enjoy!
Get creative and add any fun healthy ingredients that you may be in the mood for!
Nutritional Information
1 serving (1/4 cup)
Without Strawberries
Calories: 185
Fat: 13 grams
Saturated Fat: 11 grams
Carbohydrates: 11 grams
Fiber: 2 grams
Sugar: .4 grams
Protein: 7 grams
With Strawberries
Calories: 200 calories
Fat: 13 grams
Saturated Fat: 11 grams
Carbohydrates: 14.5 grams
Fiber: 2.5 grams
Sugar: 2.5 grams
Protein: 7 grams
