Make Breakfast Count: Homemade Granola with Dried Fruit
Busy parents might not think of homemade granola as a convenience food. After all, there are countless brands of pre-made granola available in stores. Store-bought granola often contains a surprising amount of sugar and other additives. And, with a little Sunday night planning, you can have a container of granola ready to go for the busy week ahead. When it comes to busy breakfasts, staples like granola and fresh fruit are great to have on hand. Versatile and nutritious milk is another essential kitchen staple — one that brings convenient, high-quality protein to the breakfast table day after day. A single 8-ounce serving of milk has 8 grams of protein, making it a wonderful addition to your family’s daily breakfast routine. Homemade Granola with Dried Fruit
Makes: 1 1/2 quartsPrep Time: 5 minutesCook Time: 35 minutes
Ingredients:
1/3 cup coconut oil, melted
2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
1 cup raw, hulled sunflower seeds
1 cup raw, hulled pumpkin seeds
1/3 cup honey
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon sea salt, or to taste
2 cups roughly chopped dried fruit (I used apricots, dates, and papaya spears)
1/4 cup sesame seeds
1/4 cup chia seeds
8 ounces low-fat milk (for serving)
Instructions:1. In a large bowl, combine the oats, sunflower and pumpkin seeds, honey, cinnamon, ginger, and sea salt.3. Spread mixture on a rimmed baking sheet and slide into the oven. Bake for 15 minutes, stir granola, and return to oven. Remove baking sheet from the oven and stir in the dried fruit and sesame and chia seeds. Lower heat to 300 degrees F, and return baking sheet to oven for another 5-10 minutes. Enjoy!
