A Side of Sweet

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The BEST Homemade Vegan Crunchy Granola

Gluten FreeDairy FreeVegetarianVegan

This crunchy fig walnut homemade granola recipe is naturally vegan and gluten-free. It’s honestly the BEST granola I’ve ever had. Paired with almond milk, it makes an amazing easy breakfast or snack!

How to Make the BEST Easy Homemade Vegan Crunchy Granola - Recipe with Figs Maple Syrup

Here at A Side of Sweet, we consider granola its own food group. We eat it almost every day of the week. It’s a totally acceptable weeknight dinner when things get busy and we both keep a bag at work for ’emergencies’. It’s such a thing that we typically quadruple the recipe below, which is already 30 servings! This recipe is ideal because it keeps for months in a sealed container, meaning we always have some on hand.

As a granola expert, I’ve tested dozens of granola recipes. Let me assure you that this is my favorite granola recipe ever. Brown sugar gives a glazed sweetness to the oatmeal that is perfection. You can’t fully understand it until you make it. It also fits most dietary restrictions because it is gluten-free, vegan, and dairy-free. 

Read on for the homemade granola recipe and an easy meal idea!
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Easy Healthy Toasted Muesli + a2 Milk Review

Vegan

An easy healthy toasted muesli recipe with nuts and dried fruit that is gluten-free and vegan, plus a review of the evidence for a2 Milk® versus traditional milk.

Easy and Healthy Museli Recipe with dried fruit, nuts and coconut flakes. Gluten Free & Vegan

After our most recent international trip, we officially made the switch from granola to muesli. The difference between granola and muesli is that muesli is typically uncooked. So basically before I even get started I’m already breaking the rules. That being said, this toasted muesli is basically lightened-up granola. It has way less sweetener than our usual granola recipes and no added fat. It’s also looser than granola, without the clumps and clusters. So even though it’s technically not muesli at all, it’s a definite switch from how we usually make granola AND it tastes amazing. You aren’t sacrificing anything taste-wise by cutting down the fat and sweeteners in granola.

Maybe I should have stuck with skinny low-fat gluten-free vegan granola? I just feel like that would have done such a disservice to how awesome this recipe tastes.

I can’t imagine eating muesli without milk! I’ve had a couple of patients ask me about a2 Milk® recently. Traditional milk has two types of protein in it: A1 and A2. There is evidence that A1 protein breaks down into a specific byproduct that causes many of the symptoms of lactose intolerance, like bloating and gas. a2 Milk® comes from cows that don’t produce the A2 protein.

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Protein-Packed Chia Seed Granola Recipe

VegetarianVegan

An easy protein packed chia seed granola recipe, also packed with fiber and omega-3’s! It’s the perfect way to start each day.
Healthy Protein-Packed Chia Seed Granola Recipe - Gluten Free!

Today I want to share another recipe for homemade granola with you. You’ve probably heard that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. It’s true!

An important part of your important breakfast is getting healthy protein so your body has the energy to do everything you demand of it. Thanks to the pecans and almonds, this granola is protein packed…. Read More »

Apricot Quinoa Granola

Vegetarian

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I’ve been sitting on this apricot quinoa granola recipe for wayyy too long, especially considering how good it is! Thanks to the gentle urging of some recent houseguests (thanks guys!), I’ve dusted off the recipe and have it ready to share on the blog!

Healthy Apricot Quinoa Granola - Gluten Free & Vegan!

It’s no secret that I’m a huge homemade granola fan. This recipe is unique because it has quinoa in it! When I think of quinoa, I think of a superfood that makes for a perfect summer salad dish or as a substitute for rice to make a dish healthier. When I was browsing the bulk granola section at my local co-op (where I get many of my granola inspirations), I noticed quinoa in a mix and new I had to try it! I have to say I was really pleased with the results. It’s a great way to add healthy protein to your breakfast and it adds a really interesting crunch.

Apricot Quinoa Granola Recipe - a breakfast superfood

Apricot Quinoa Granola Recipe

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Apricot Quinoa Granola Recipe

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Ingredients

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  • 2 c. old-fashioned oats
  • 1 c. quinoa (uncooked)
  • 1 c. roughly-chopped pecans
  • 1 tsp. salt
  • 1 tsp. ground cinnamon
  • 1 c. dried apricots, chopped
  • 1/4 c. honey (or maple syrup to make it vegan)
  • 2 T. coconut oil, melted
  • 1 cup unsweetened shredded coconut

Instructions

  1. Combine and mix the oats, quinoa, pecans, salt, apricots, and cinnamon in a large bowl.
  2. Stir in the honey and coconut oil
  3. Bake on a parchment-lined baking sheet for 20 minutes at 325F. Stir once halfway. Sprinkle coconut over and return to oven for 5 minutes.
  4. Remove from oven and allow to cool on baking sheet. To create clusters in your granola, when it is still warm, press handfuls of granola gently together.
  5. As with all of my granola recipes, this recipe is completely customizable and flexible! Swap our your favorite nut instead of pecans, or use a different dried fruit than apricot. I’m always changing the recipe based on what I have around the house!

 

Basic Granola Bar Recipe + How to Stretch

VegetarianVegan

I love making my own granola and granola bars. Although it is becoming more common to see granola bars without additives like high fructose corn syrup, I really like putting things into my body that don’t come wrapped in plastic and with ingredients that I can pronounce. I love this basic granola bar recipe that can be altered based on your cravings and what you have around the house. I used pepitas that I’ve been trying to get rid of for the longest time and some dried apricots. To make the bars vegan, substitute maple syrup for the honey. The bars can also be crumbled to use as granola. If you bake them longer they will be crispy and if you bake them a shorter amount of time they will be softer (duh).

Basic Granola Bar RecipeThis recipe was also featured on the blog of one of my favorite companies on the planet, Brooks Running! Thanks for having me as a guest blogger, Brooks! You can see my post about the right and wrong ways to stretch here.

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