I’m always blown away at just how much added sugar store bought granola contains. Like, can’t a girl just have her smoothie bowl and eat it too?!
I mean COME ON!
Well, now you can!
As always, I took the challenge and came up with a recipe you will not only love but can enjoy 100% guilt-free. No cheat meal needed for this one!
I used @nowfoodsofficial monk fruit drops to provide sweetness while remaining added sugar-free. For those of you new to monk fruit, it is derived from the concentrated juice of a melon-like, vine fruit native to parts of South Asia. Naturally incredibly sweet with no alcohol or odd after taste. A great alternative to stevia, Splenda (please tell me you’re not using Splenda) or regular sugar.
You’ll also find apples, buckwheat groats and flax seeds to bulk up this granola recipe. Meaning more flavor, crunch, and added benefits.
WHY YOU’LL LOVE THIS RECIPE:
-Sugar-free granola. Boom. Mic drop. I know you’re sold
-Goes great with nut-milk, on smoothie bowls, vegan yogurt, on top of pies or crumbles, or as a tasty snack on its own
-Follow the recipe or add your own favorite nut and seed blend to make it your own!
-Loaded with fibre, healthy fats, weight loss supporting ingredients and more!
A NUTRITIONIST’S CHOICE:
Flax seeds. Many granolas use large amounts of sugars and/or honey with oils to bind their granola together. I however, chose to use flaxseed. When mixed with water ground flaxseed or flaxseed meal creates a thick egg-like texture. In plant-based vocabulary, we call this a ‘flaxseed-egg’ commonly used as binding in baking. But it’s not just the binding that is helpful. Flaxseeds are nutrient powerhouses.
Fibre. You will find 1.9g of fiber in 1 tbsp of flaxseed! Fiber helps feed the healthy gut flora and bacteria in our intestines which support our immune system and our digestion. Fiber also helps keep us feeling full longer as it absorbs water adding bulk to our stool. Adding flaxseeds to your diet is an excellent way to support weight loss in an attainable and healthy way.
Omega 3’s. Omega 3’s are commonly found in seafood making them tough to obtain through a vegan diet. Thank goodness for flaxseeds! They have a high amount of ALA, a plant-based omega 3 which supports mood, brain health, eye health, inflammation, and more.
Sprouted oats. I use sprouted oats for my recipes for the added digestibility and absorbability of the nutrients that accompany oats. Sprouting oats limits the amount of phytic acid, a thin outer layer that can disrupt the absorption of the nutrients and cause bloating. Click here to learn more about sprouting including the benefits and how to do it on your own!
Buckwheat Groats. Although contrary to the name, buckwheat has no relation to the wheat family and is a gluten-free food. Buckwheat groats are a hulled seed from the buckwheat plant. They are small, crunchy, and virtually tasteless, making them a great addition to recipes like this one. Buckwheat groats are high in antioxidants which contain anti-inflammatory properties and support gut health. They are a good source of prebiotics and are made up of insoluble fiber both of which support weight loss, immune function, mood, and more!
Make this recipe your own:
Don’t have buckwheat groats? No worries, swap them out for almond, pumpkin seeds, walnuts, pecans, and/or sunflower seeds!
Once the granola is cooked, you can also add your favourite dried fruits like cranberries, blueberries, cherries, or apricots for a little extra sweetness and flavour.
Sugar-Free Apple Cinnamon Granola
Ingredients
- 1 cup sprouted oats
- 3 tbsp coconut oil
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 3 apples
- 1 cup nut & seed mix I used buckwheat groats and sunflower seeds
- 1/2 cup ground flaxseeds
- sweetener of choice to taste I use Monk Fruit/ Stevia blend
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375
- In a large mixing bowl, add 1/2 cup ground flaxseed, 1 cup of water, 1 tsp cinnamon and 3 tbsp of coconut oil. Mix well.
- De-core and seed your apples. Chop into 1'' cubes and add to mixing bowl along with your oats and nut and seed mix.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and evenly spread the granola
- Bake for 30 minutes total tossing after 15 minutes. Granola should be golden brown and crunchy.
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