I just love chatting with Matt Swaim on Sacred Heart Radio’s Sonrise Morning show. Today it was about snacks and this higher protein granola fits the bill. Plus for those of you who can’t do nuts, check out the nut free recipe, as well.

HIGHER PROTEIN GRANOLA

Great for back to school and fun to make and talk about since granola has several Bible ingredients in it: 

Genesis 43:11. Almonds and pistachios are both listed as part of a gift that Jacob’s sons were instructed to take to Joseph in Egypt. 

Apricots, flax, cinnamon and honey all make an appearance in this recipe, and all have ancient Biblical roots. 

Ingredients

• 3 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
• 1-1/2 cups nuts: we use a combo of raw almonds roughly chopped and pistachios, chopped 
• ½ cup dried fruit (diced apricots are a favorite) – can do more to taste 
• 1 generous cup seeds – sunflower, pumpkin, flax – a combo or your favorite
• ½ cup unsweetened coconut (optional)
• 1½ teaspoons cinnamon
• Coating
• ½ cup almond or peanut butter
• ½ cup honey or maple syrup
• ½ cup olive oil OR coconut, grape seed, avocado oil
• 1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 300. 
• Stir together oats, nuts, seeds, dried fruit, coconut if using and cinnamon.
• In a small saucepan over low heat, whisk together the nut butter, honey, oil and vanilla until it simmers.
• Pour nut butter mixture over dry ingredients and stir.
• Spread evenly onto parchment lined or sprayed baking sheets and bake for 30 minutes, rotating baking sheets halfway through, until golden brown.
  Remove from oven and let cool completely (the granola will harden as it cools) before breaking up.

Tip: 

SMALL BATCH NUT FREE GRANOLA 

Ingredients

1-½ cups old fashioned oats

1 generous tablespoon olive oil Or your favorite oil

2 tablespoons maple syrup or bit more if you like

1 tablespoon vanilla

1/2 cup favorite dried fruit or mini chocolate chips – optional – add after cooling

Instructions

Preheat oven to 375. Mix everything together well. It may be a bit clumpy and that’s OK.

Pour onto parchment lined or sprayed baking sheet. Bake for 12-15 minutes. Let cool completely, then stir it up a bit to mix well. Add fruit and/or chips if using.