An energy boosting granola recipe to start your day or get you through that 3pm slump.
Granola is so easy to DIY, I don’t know why I bought the boxed kind for so long! It’s as easy as combiningenergy-boosting ingredients like nuts or dried fruits with some whole grains like oats. Add some honey to sweeten the deal, and a healthy scoop of coconut oil to hold the clusters together, and bake it up to perfection. Voila – your new favorite granola recipe!
Homemade granola can be a comforting and delicious treat, and since you made it yourself you know that it’s healthy for you, too. Store-bought granola is often pumped full of sugars and unhealthy fats and oils. Whipping it up yourself allows you to control the quality of the ingredients, so let’s get started!
Wait, There’s No Dried Fruit In This Granola Recipe?
Personally, I’m not a fan of dried fruit. I know, I know, they’re antioxidant rich and filled with fiber, I just can’t get past the texture. I also find most dried fruits to be way too sweet for my taste. Some dried fruits are actually pumped full of added sugars, soyou really have to be careful when choosing your dried fruits.
I prefer to sweeten my granola with honey, thank you very much. In ancient times, honey was used a both as a food and as a wound-healing medicine. Today, high-quality honey has been found to contain antioxidants itself, so I’ll just skip those dried fruits. If you’re a huge fan and can’t live without them, feel free to chuck in 1/4 cup of your favorite dried fruit while the granola is cooling.
Why We Love Pumpkin Seeds
Now that we’ve moved past why we skip dried fruits in our granola recipe, let’s talk about what it does contain: super tasty pumpkin seeds. Oh, man, do I love pumpkin seeds, and I’m not just talking about eating them after carving pumpkins. I eat these things up all year round.
They’re perfect as a snack, and I often chuck a handful of them on top of my favorite energy bowl to add some extra fiber to my diet. So why not make them the cornerstone of my favorite granola recipe?
I really can’t go on enough about the health benefits of pumpkin seeds. They contain heart-healthy magnesium, zinc to boost your immune system, and they’re a complete protein! That means they contain all nine of the essential amino acids your body needs, just like meat.
Perfect for Breakfast, or an Energy Boosting Snack
Granola is a great way to start your day, beginning with all those heart-healthy ingredients. Serve it up with your favorite Greek yogurt or milk (I’m loving Califia toasted coconut almond milk these days!). Or, top your favorite oatmeal with this granola recipe to increase your fiber intake.
I also love snacking on granola throughout the day. Usually, around 3 pm, my energy tank is completely zapped and I don’t feel productive at all! A bag of this granola at my desk at work to give me a much-needed boost of energy.
Having a nutrient-rich, healthy snack ready at hand is exactly what I need. This granola recipe has enough protein to boost your energy level. It will keep you going for longer than sugary snacks because it’s naturally low in sugars and saturated fat. Perfect!
If you’re looking for more energy-boosting foods, check out these 15 foods that will give you the energy boost you need.
Healthier "Energy-Boosting" Granola Recipe
This delicious granola is sure to boost your energy when you need it.
Review Recipe PIN RECIPE Print Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes minutes
Total Time 20 minutes minutes
Yield 14 people
Serving Size 0.25 cup
Review Recipe PIN RECIPE Print Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups rolled oats gluten-free
- 1/2 cup pumpkin seeds
- 1/2 cup sesame seeds optional sunflower seeds
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 2 tablespoons coconut oil melted
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Combine all ingredients. Evenly spread granola on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake granola 15 minutes, stirring after 8 minutes. Allow to cool completely before storing in a covered container.
Enjoy this delicious and healthy granola over oatmeal, as a breakfast cereal, or mix with 1/2 cup Greek yogurt.
Nutrition Information
Serving: 0.25cup | Calories: 93kcal | Carbohydrates: 9g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Sodium: 1mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 3g |
SmartPoints (Freestyle): 3
Keywords Budget-Friendly, dairy-free, Diabetic-Friendly, Keto, Low-Carb, Quick and Easy, Vegetarian
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FAQs
Smoothie with Granola
Try adding it to your favorite smoothie to give it an extra boost of fiber from the whole grains, healthy fats and added flavor. It's also an easy way to increase calories in a smoothie. Personally, I think it would be a delicious addition to my Strawberry Peanut Butter Smoothie!
Is it OK 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 good for energy? ›
Granola is also packed with carbs. “For active people, granola is best known for being a source of carbohydrate to fuel the muscles and provide energy for a busy day,” Clark says. “Grains are excellent for athletic people to fuel muscles.”
What is a healthy amount of granola to eat? ›
Granola provides protein and important micronutrients like iron, vitamin D, folate, and zinc. Serving sizes vary from 1/4 cup to a full cup depending on the type and brand you choose. Granola can also be an excellent source of: Vitamin B.
Is it healthy to eat homemade granola everyday? ›
The Bottom Line
Granola is healthy in small amounts, especially because oats, nuts, seeds and dried fruit in granola provide some fiber that's good for heart and gut health. However, granola can also be a rich source of calories, saturated fat and sugar, depending on the brand you buy.
Is oatmeal or granola better for you? ›
Oats are an excellent source of beta-glucan, which is a fiber that helps reduce LDL and overall cholesterol levels—two risk factors for getting heart disease. Improve gut health. Granola can help increase the levels of healthy bacteria in the gut compared to other breakfast cereals.
Is there a negative side of consuming granola? ›
Downsides of granola
Although granola contains several healthy ingredients, it can be high in calories and packed with added fats and sugars.
Is Peanut Butter good or bad for you? ›
Eating peanut butter alongside other nutritious foods is perfectly healthy — as long as you don't exceed your calorie needs. Peanut butter is high in calories and could lead to excess calorie intake if not consumed in moderation. However, it is still a high-quality food that provides numerous nutrients.
What does granola do to your body? ›
The soluble fiber in granola is a well-known method for lowering harmful LDL cholesterol and promoting beneficial HDL cholesterol throughout the body. By diminishing unhealthy cholesterol levels, granola can help prevent plaque formation in arteries and veins.
What foods give you super energy? ›
The best fuel for exercise is carbohydrates, preferably “complex” ones like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Healthy fats from fish, nuts, vegetable oils, and avocados can help fuel endurance sports like long-distance running.
Focus on foods with protein, fiber, complex carbohydrates and magnesium that will take longer to digest and therefore extend your energy. Mix and match energizing snacks – like Greek yogurt and berries, or grapefruit and cottage cheese – for a more powerful punch.
What is a good energy snack? ›
Bananas and Peanut Butter
Bananas are an excellent source of carbohydrates, potassium, and vitamin B6, all of which can help boost energy. Pair one with Peter Pan® Peanut Butter, which is full of fat (mostly the good kind!), protein, and fiber, giving you a slow, sustained release of energy.
What is the healthiest breakfast? ›
The healthiest breakfast foods include a protein, healthy fat and source of carbohydrates, according to Smolen. For a healthy breakfast, consider eating foods like oatmeal with nut butter, avocado toast with an egg, chia seed pudding or a greek yogurt parfait with nuts and berries.
Is granola good for high blood pressure? ›
Breakfast is often referred to as the most important meal of the day because it keeps your brain active throughout the day. It is especially true if you include granola, which lowers blood pressure in the body. Granola helps with hypertension by acting as a vasodilator due to its high potassium and low sodium content.
What is the best way to eat granola? ›
Here are a Few Ways to Eat Granola
- Create Your Own Yogurt Parfait. One of the best ways to eat granola is by turning it into a delicious and refreshing parfait. ...
- Mix it Into Baked Goods. ...
- Make Homemade Granola Bars. ...
- Add Crunch to a Bowl of Cereal. ...
- Create Protein Bites. ...
- Grab a Handful of Granola. ...
- Use it in a Smoothie Bowl.
Yogurt and granola can be genuinely healthy, depending on the yogurt and granola you use. There are better and unhealthy forms of the two fixings. The best blend is Greek yogurt with granola, which is high in protein and fiber.
Is granola with milk healthier than cereal? ›
While both granola and cereal may seem similar, there are significant differences between the two. Granola is a healthier, more nutrient-dense, and joyfully versatile option that will not only make your taste buds dance but also keep your body happy and healthy.
Should you eat granola with milk or yogurt? ›
It tastes great with milk, or by the handful, but is also super tasty when sprinkled over lemon or blueberry yogurt for a burst of flavor. There's also Coconut Spice Granola, which is made with whole grain oats, real maple syrup, coconut and wholesome seeds.
