Healthy Homemade Sugar-Free Granola
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Breakfast is my favorite meal because it is so versatile and I love, especially, this homemade sugar-free granola. It is good to have healthy options to choose from. That way, when you do stray off the path and opt for something more savory or sweet, you don’t have to feel guilty.
Quite often, when you go to the grocery store aisle, you will find that there are many granola options to choose from. One of my favorite granolas, although it might not be the best choice health-wise, is chocolate granola. Of course, I eat this only as a treat once in a while.
Over the years, my taste buds have changed and more importantly my health and exercise needs. I have desperately been trying to cut out sugar because of what it does to me and my hormones. In addition, I try and do some form of exercise regularly because of the positive health benefits.
The more you look and read the ingredients labels on foods you soon realize that literally, everything has sugar in it in one form or another.
Often, I could never find any store-bought granola that didn’t have some form of sugar whether it be maple syrup or agave, which is still sugar.
After doing some research and experimenting, I found out that you could use egg whites to help bind everything together. What a perfect solution and a healthy one.
Here is the recipe that I came up with. Of course, it can be tweaked to your own personal liking and you can add sweetener after if you really want it.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups of organic old fashioned rolled oats
- 1 cup puffed millet cereal
- 1/2 cup pumpkin seeds
- 1/2 cup sliced almonds
- 1/2 cup sunflower seeds
- 2 cups organic unsweetened coconut chips
- 4 egg whites beaten
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1 tsp nutmeg
- 1/2 tsp salt
Instructions:
Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Mix together all dry ingredients into one bowl. Add beaten egg whites to dry ingredients and combine well. Place parchment paper on large baking sheet. Spread granola out on the baking sheet so it is evenly distributed. Bake for 40-50 minutes until slightly golden brown. Let granola cool on the baking sheet and this will allow it to form into smaller clumps.
Once the egg whites have been mixed in thoroughly with the granola ingredients, then spread mixture evenly on a sheet pan with parchment.
It’s that easy. This helps to ensure that everything is browned evenly while in the oven.
Below in the picture, you can see that the granola has been slightly toasted.
Chocolate Homemade Granola
Since we all like options, I wanted to share another granola recipe that I found on Pinterest. I was specifically looking for a chocolate granola recipe that was super easy with just a handful of ingredients.
In the past, I have tried numerous granola recipes that have either coconut oil or butter. To be honest, I am not really a fan of the coconut oil because it can be too overpowering sometimes. Other than that, I am pretty sure you will like this recipe.
This recipe calls for maple syrup and I happen to have a special maple syrup I have been wanting to try, bourbon barrel aged maple syrup.
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This recipe is amazing and is so tasty. I am going to have to put a lock on the cupboard so I don’t eat it all at once.
This granola is by Feasting On Fruit. You can find the recipe here.
History Buffs: Who Invented Granola?
Originally called “Granula” or granola as we know it today, was invented by James Caleb Jackson from New York in 1863.
Jackson had a lot of health issues during his life and became a huge advocate of hydrotherapy. After he experienced significant health improvements from a spa using a water cure, he went on to become a physician and opened a hydropathic institute in 1847 that catered to patients from around the world.
In addition to the water cures, he also became a believer that diet also played a major role in health benefits. It was after this he developed “granula.”
The video here describes the history of granola and how it came about, which is very interesting. Watch it now or see it on Youtube: How Did Granola Get Its Name?
What are your favorite breakfast ideas?
I love having granola for breakfast and I thought I would give these 2 recipes a try . Interestingly I found the texture with egg whites very good and tasted natural flavours without sugar. I love chocolate, and I liked the taste of it also. I may also mix the two together and switch it up.
Hi Barb,
Thanks for your comments.
I agree, using the egg whites you definitely do taste the natural flavors without all the sweetness of normal granola that is processed. Glad you had the opportunity to try them out and happy that you like them.
Sheila