This morning while on the treadmill (doing this intense workout) I started to feel inspired to do a little damage in the kitchen. I wasn’t quite sure what damage I was was going to do, but I decided it had to have these three things:
- something I’ve never tried making before
- something I could eat for breakfast
- something that I could “healthify”
The winning result…?
Cranberry Almond “Healthified” Granola!! (see full recipe below)
Surprisingly, it was much easier to make than I expected, so let’s get right down to it…
First, I mixed some old-fashioned oats and puffed rice cereal and toasted it for about 10 minutes in the oven.
While that was toasting, I mixed together my wet ingredients & spices. I was actually quite excited to find another way to incorporate some more of my POM Wonderful juice!
Once the oats & cereal were slightly toasted, I put it back into a bowl and mixed in some slivered almonds,
ground flaxseed meal,
and chia seeds.
Stir, stir, stir!
Once incorporated, I added in my wet ingredients and mixed until everything was nice and covered.
Then I placed it back on the baking sheet and cooked it for another 15 or so minutes, stirring every few minutes.
After the granola base was done cooking, I put it back into the bowl and added in my dried fruits: cranberries & raisins.
VOILA! A big ‘ol bowl of granola for the taking.
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Healthy Cranberry Almond Granola
(Adapted from this Weight Watchers recipe)
Ingredients:
- 3 cups uncooked oats
- 2 cups puffed rice cereal
- 1/3 cup brown rice syrup
- 1 tbsp canola oil
- 1/4 cup(s) diluted POM Wonderful juice**
- 1-2 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup slivered almonds
- 1/4 cup ground flaxseed meal
- 1/4 chia seeds
- 1/4 cup dried cranberries
- 1/4 cup raisins
**I used probably 1/8 cup POM + 1/8 cup water. You could also substitute apple juice or any other juice of your choice for the POM. It’s just what I had on hand.
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Mix uncooked oats and puffed rice cereal together and spread on a non-stick baking sheet with sides; bake for 10 minutes, stirring once.
- Meanwhile, mix brown rice syrup, oil, POM juice, spices, sugar, and vanilla together in a cup. When oats and puffed rice are done, spoon into a large bowl; set pan aside. Add almonds, flaxseed, and chia seeds to cereal mixture and stir to combine. Pour wet ingredients over cereal mixture and mix thoroughly to distribute and coat completely; spread mixture back over pan.
- Return pan to oven and bake for 15 to 20 minutes more, stirring every few minutes. Remove from oven and spoon back into bowl. (Note: Be careful that granola doesn’t burn – especially cereal along sides of pan.)
- Stir cranberries and raisins into mixture; let cool. Store in an airtight container. ENJOY!
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For it being my first attempt at granola, I was pretty impressed! It’s not overly sweet, so if you like your granola sweeter, you may want to add a bit more brown sugar or honey.
The great part about it too is, if you don’t have all the same ingredients, just substitute in what you like. No cranberries? Try cherries! No almonds? Try sunflower seeds!
Endless possibilities, my friends. Endless!
I enjoyed quite a few handfuls before finally buckling down and making myself a yogurt + granola bowl, with some fresh strawberries and grapes on the side.
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Thanks to everyone who entered my Chavrie Goat Cheese Giveaway! The following comment numbers are our winners:
Congrats!!
Please be sure to email me your shipping info at sweettoothcourtney@gmail.com.
Question for the Day:
What’s the best granola you’ve ever had? (
And if you have any recipes, feel free to SHARE em! I have a feeling that this won’t be my last batch…)
Charlie says
Your granola looks delicious! yum! Love that you added pomegranate juice!
Favorite granola… that’s a hard one! Let’s go with two ;).
My favorite with milk: Maple Pecan Quinoa Crunch Granola http://www.sweetsaltyspicy.net/2011/03/maple-pecan-quinoa-crunch-granola.html
My favorite with yogurt: Chocolate, Cherry & Coconut Granola http://www.sweetsaltyspicy.net/2011/03/chocolate-cherry-coconut-granola.html
Courtney says
I actually printed your maple pecan quinoa granola and plan on making that one soon! :)
Khushboo says
Delicious breakfast! Do you have to go into school to teach today?? If so, you really are superwoman!
Courtney says
Haha, no I don’t have to go in.
Julie @ Peanut Butter Fingers says
i was wondering the same thing! are you on spring break?
ashley says
I was wondering the same thing! you have had so much extra time lately!!
Julie @ Peanut Butter Fingers says
haha courtney, i think we’re all a little too involved in your life! :o)
Khushboo says
Interrogation central! Haha :)
Courtney says
Hahaha, you’re more than welcome to be involved in my life! ;)
I’m actually not on spring break…it’s something that I haven’t mentioned yet, but seeing as though people are starting to notice, I suppose I should probably fill ya’ll in soon!
Colleen @ The Lunchbox Diaries says
I’ve always thought making granola would be difficult – but this looks like something I can handle! :)
Cait @ Beyond Bananas says
Wow.. that granola looks so simple and so delicoius! I need to start making my own asap!
Lisa @ Healthy Diaries says
I’ve never made my own granola before. -yours looks delicious!
I actually don’t eat granola too often. I used to buy it in the bulk section at my whole foods.
chelsey @ clean eating chelsey says
Looks delicious! I love that granola is so versatile! I don’t think I’ve made the same kind twice!
Sarah May C says
Wow! Love it, didn’t even realise you could make granola – shows how much I know! We are not big on ‘granola’ here in the UK although I absolutely love the stuff – I discovered it on my travels in New York, it’s one of my favourite breakfasts to have when I’m ever in America (other favourite: spinach and feta omlette with potatoes – what do you call them, home fries? Mmmm!) we are a bit behind with granola over here so I will definitely be trying out this idea one day when I can find some time… and so many different versions, apparently – thanks again, Courtney – and all! By the way – the skewered prawns you inspired were a success at my dinner party – loved them ;-)
Courtney says
Awww, I’m so glad!! :-D
Jamie aka "Sometimes Healthy" Girl says
My best friend’s mother makes this “Magic Granola.” Everyone in Omaha knows about Suzy’s granola (well not everyone but a lot!). I have no idea what is in it but it is sweet, crunch, fresh and delicious. I suppose I should get the recipe from her! Your granola looks so healthy and tasty. I must make it!
Kimberley says
It seems that every blog I am reading today has granola in it, I am not complaining one bit :) except for the fact that I am jealous and need to make my own asap, so perfect timing for your recipe !
Chelsea says
Yum! I love granola and your looks so delish!
Jenny (Fit Girl Foodie) says
I always tell myself I’ll make granola and then I see it on sale and I buy it lol Such fail. The best granola so far is Bear Naked Chocolate. I haven’t seen Love Grown granola around here so I still haven’t tried it. Love your recipe! :D Granola is the ultimate oatmeal topper
Alexa @ Simple Eats says
This looks perfect for yogurt bowls and oats! Love the idea of the POM juice!
Julie says
I recently bought some Country Pumpkin Spice granola from Trader Joe’s. It is yummy with some yogurt or just by itself! I’ve never made granola myself but it looks pretty easy so I’ll have to try it sometime!
Jordan says
What a great idea to use POM instead of apple juice! I feel like that would make this recipe 1000x better. And I love the idea of using dried cherries in it….I just wish they weren’t so expensive! I might have to try this soon!
Lauren says
Your granola looks really yummy! I’m going to have to make some soon!
Sarah says
YUM! This really does seem easy! I have a lot of those ingredients on hand so may be giving this one a try soon!
hazel@ Toasted Pecans Recipe says
Delicious. And easy to make . Wow I love those cereal The way you demonstrate your recipe are well instructed that we can easy learn. thanks for the recipe .