Oats are the ultimate breakfast food. Whether you like to add them to your breakfast smoothie, make them into oatmeal or jar ’em up for overnight oats — they’re versatile.
Beyond their versatility, they are also good for you. Old-fashioned oats are high in fiber and, as a whole-grain food, are linked to a reduced risk of diabetes and certain heart diseases.
Aside from being a charming breakfast item, oats are just as great any other time of the day. Instead of sweetening your oats, add some
savory notes to get a different flavor profile.
Savory granola
Sprinkle it on your soups and salads for a nice crunch.
1 cup old-fashioned oats
1 cup chopped walnuts (or any other nuts)
1/2 cup shelled sunflower seeds (or any other seeds)
1 soft-peaked egg white
a large pinch of red pepper flakes
a large pinch of dried thyme
a large pinch of salt
a few cracks of black pepper
1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
2. Combine the oats, nuts and seeds into a big bowl.
3. Add in the spices.
4. Mix the contents of the bowl.
5. Either hand whisk or use a mixer to whip up a soft-peaked egg white.
6. Incorporate the soft-peaked egg white in the bowl. Make sure to coat all of the mixture in the egg white fluff.
7. Spread the mixture out onto a baking sheet with parchment.
8. Bake for 25–30 minutes until golden brown.
9. Once the granola cools down, use a spoon to break it into chunks.
Tip: Use different types of nuts, seeds and spices to cook up various versions of the savory granola.
Sweet granola
Take out the spices and egg white, and add sweetener and fried fruits instead? You get the sweet granola.
1 cup old-fashioned oats
1/2 cup chopped almonds (or any other nuts)
1/2 cup unsweetened dried cranberries (or any other unsweetened dried fruit)
1/4 cup shelled sunflower seeds (or any other seeds)
2 tablespoons maple syrup
2 tablespoons coconut oil
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
a large pinch of salt
1. Preheat the oven to 300 degrees.
2. Combine the oats, nuts, seeds and dried fruits into a big bowl.
3. Add the wet ingredients to the bowl.
Make sure the coconut oil is in liquid form
before adding.
4. Add a pinch of salt and mix well.
5. Spread the mixture out onto a baking sheet with parchment.
6. Bake for 10–15 minutes until golden brown.
7. Once the granola cools down, use a spoon to break it into chunks.
