Champion Granola
4 cups (500g) old-fashioned oats
1 cup (125g) wheat germ
1/3 cup (42g) sesame seeds
1 cup (125g) slivered almonds
1 cup (125g) shredded coconut
2 teaspoons (10 mL) cinnamon
1/2 cup (125 mL) flaxseed oil (regular vegetable or canola oil will do fine as well)
1/4 cup (50mL) sweet molasses
1/4 cup (50 mL) agave nectar (or maple syrup, if you prefer)
1 cup (125g) raisins (or desired chopped dried fruit)
1/2 cup (63g) carob chips or vegan chocolate chips (optional)
1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit. (160 degrees C) and spray two large baking sheets with nonstick cooking spray
2. Combine first six ingredients in a bowl and set aside.
3. In a separate, microwave-safe bowl, combine all liquid ingredients and microwave on HIGH for 3 minutes or until boiling. (You can also heat on the stove; its just more time-consuming)
4. Pour the boiling liquid mixture over the dry ingredients; combine
5. Spread evenly over the baking sheets, place on top two racks of oven
6. Bake for 25 minutes, stirring occasionally. Let cool for about an hour, then add dried fruit and optional carob/veg chocolate chips (NOTE: make sure granola is completely cool before adding these, or they will melt and the granola gets gooey and gross)
This granola was developed when my cross country teammates and I realized that our stomachs had suddenly turned into bottomless pits. Its great for athletes; just put it into individual baggies and take to games or events. Good in lunchboxes or as an after-school snack as well.
The oats, wheat germ and sesame seeds have a ton of iron, while the almonds and flaxseed oil are rich in omega-3 fatty acids. Raisins for fiber, and the coconut and carob chips add a healthy bit of sugar for energy.
If you are making this for an entire girls cross-country team (as I have) you may want to quadruple the recipe. Even hardened junk food-addicted carnivores love this.
SO HOW'D IT GO?
it sounds like a great recipe, but flax seed oil should never be heated. its very sensitive to heat, and heating it diminishes all its healthy benefits
This is a great recipe! I've added flax seeds and sunflower seeds to the recipe, too. It good to eat cold with soymilk or hot with soymilk. Delicious!
Even better than your other granola recipe!! I took your advice and brought individual baggies to my son's teeball game. The parents looked smug and exchanged glances with each other, saying, "My kid doesn't like health food." The team devoured it all.