Low Fat Brown Sugar Spiced Granola
Oats are full of heart healthy fiber and great for a healthy breakfast. My mom spent way to much of my childhood trying to get me to eat this healthy breakfast. She soon resigned herself to the fact that I was one of those kids who hated hot oatmeal. It wasn’t the flavor of hot oats that I detested, it was their texture, a fact that became evident when she served me my first bowl of Pathmark No Frills Cinnamon Raisin Granola.
I love crunchy granola. With granola you get all the great oat-y taste and benefits of oatmeal—minus the gloop. Unfortunately prepackaged granolas are usually expensive and loaded with excess sugar and vegetable oils, significantly diminishing the benefits of whole grain oats. There is no reason you can’t make your own granola, as I have for much of my life. By making your own granola you can control the sugar and ingredients, while reaping the health benefits and financial savings of economical old fashioned rolled oats.
This granola recipe yields a less sweet granola in which the oats stay separated and do not clump together. This recipe is wonderful on its own and makes a perfect base to customize your bowl each day to match your mood. Add your favorite nuts and fruits, sprinkle on yogurt or smoothie bowls or simply enjoy this sweet and spicy granola with milk. These hearty oats will keep you fueled for whatever the day may bring—minus the gloop. 😉
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350° F. Line an 11” x 17” rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
Combine sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, ginger, salt, vanilla and almond extracts with boiling water in a heat proof bowl and whisk until sugar is dissolved.
Add oats to sugar syrup and stir until oats are evenly coated with spiced sugar syrup.
Pour raw granola onto prepared baking sheet and spread evenly, but do not press down.
Transfer to the center of your preheated oven and bake for 35 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes until granola is dry and toasted. You will know the granola is done when it moves easily when stirred, makes a “dry” sound against the spoon and is slightly golden brown.
Remove granola from the oven and allow to cool completely before moving to an airtight storage container. Do not skip this step! Granola will continue to dry and crisp up as it cools.
(Makes about 1lb, 5oz)
Ingredients:
18 ounces Traditional Rolled Oats
160 grams (about ¾ cup + 1 Tbsp) Dark Brown Sugar
2 tsp Ground Cinnamon
¼ tsp Ground Nutmeg
¼ tsp Allspice
½ tsp Ground Ginger
1 tsp Table Salt
2 tsp Vanilla Extract
¼ tsp Almond Extract
½ cup Boiling Water
Oats are full of heart healthy fiber and great for a healthy breakfast. My mom spent way to much of my childhood trying to get me to eat this healthy breakfast. She soon resigned herself to the fact that I was one of those kids who hated hot oatmeal. It wasn’t the flavor of hot oats that I detested, it was their texture, a fact that became evident when she served me my first bowl of Pathmark No Frills Cinnamon Raisin Granola.
I love crunchy granola. With granola you get all the great oat-y taste and benefits of oatmeal—minus the gloop. Unfortunately prepackaged granolas are usually expensive and loaded with excess sugar and vegetable oils, significantly diminishing the benefits of whole grain oats. There is no reason you can’t make your own granola, as I have for much of my life. By making your own granola you can control the sugar and ingredients, while reaping the health benefits and financial savings of economical old fashioned rolled oats.
This granola recipe yields a less sweet granola in which the oats stay separated and do not clump together. This recipe is wonderful on its own and makes a perfect base to customize your bowl each day to match your mood. Add your favorite nuts and fruits, sprinkle on yogurt or smoothie bowls or simply enjoy this sweet and spicy granola with milk. These hearty oats will keep you fueled for whatever the day may bring—minus the gloop. 😉
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