Chia Seed Granola with Walnuts and Almonds

by Kirsten on October 20, 2011 · 16 comments

in Breakfast, Desserts, Misc. Sweets

I love that food brings memories of comfort, home and security.  Introducing unfimiliar foods therefore seems strange at first and may be a little scary. I believe that you can always learn something new and better and this also should include changing your diet.

One of my latest foodie discoveries are the health benefits of Chia seeds.

Chia seeds are a concentrated food source of omega-3 fatty acids, carbohydrates, protein, fiber, antioxidants and calcium. One tablespoon contains about 60 calories, 6 grams of fiber, 3 grams of protein and a healthy dose of antioxidants, omega-3s, calcium, iron, phosphorous, magnesium and zinc.

16 ounces of chia are supposed to contain the equivalent of:

Fiber of 4 pounds of oatmeal
Protein in 3 pounds of tofu
Antioxidants of 2 pounds of blueberries
Omega-3s for 10 pounds of salmon
Calcium in 4 pounds of 1 percent milk
Magnesium of 15 pounds of broccoli

(Source: healthworrier.com), more info here.

To get my family to sprinkle the chia seeds on top of yogurts just didn’t work so well. Therefore I have been mixing the chia seed in with some homemade granola and everybody loves it. My teens eat this chia seed granola as a snack over some Bulgarian Yogurt or take it to school as a healthy meal in between breakfast and lunch.

Don’t miss out on the new “Superfood” Chia. I am sure your family would also enjoy it in this chia seed granola with walnuts and almonds.

Ingredients:

*  6 cups (480 g) old fashioned oats
*  1 cup (200 g) almonds, chopped in big pieces
*  1 cup (115 g) walnuts, chopped in big pieces
*  1 cup (175 g) chia seeds (I buy these)
*  1/2 cup (100g) brown sugar
*  2 Tablespoons five spice powder
*  1/4 teaspoon salt

*  1/2 cup (110 g, 115 ml) coconut oil, melted
*  1/3 cup (115 g, 78 ml) honey
*  1 Tablespoon (15 ml) vanilla extract

Directions:

Preheat your oven to 300 F Convection. Line two baking pans with silicon pads.

In a big bowl mix the first 7 ingredients (oats until salt). Set aside.

Now mix all the liquid ingredients and pour the mixture over the dry ingredients. Mix until very well combined.

Spread the oat mixture evenly onto the baking pans. Bake for 30 minutes or until golden brown. Stir every 10 minutes while baking.

Let the granola cool on the sheets until cold. Store in air tight container.

Enjoy!

 

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{ 15 comments }

Dawn July 12, 2012 at 3:39 am

I LOVE chia. Have you tried Mila? It’s a blend of open chia seeds that has more fiber and omega3s than regular chia. I had been eating chia and ground flax every morning – my mom’s nurse practicioner at her neurologist sent me a bag and I fell in love!

Margaret February 22, 2012 at 6:55 pm

Great article. For more information about chia seeds, and some recipe ideas, check out my website: http://www.chiativity.org

Nuts about food November 4, 2011 at 3:36 pm

I had never heard of chia seeds before, thank you for introducing me.

Ido October 31, 2011 at 6:20 am

Thanks for this recipe.

I adapted it based on 4 cups of oats. I spread everything out across two baking sheets and still found that it needed an extra 15-20 mins. (in addition to the 30 listed) to dry up enough. Am I missing something? Or do I just like my granola extra crunchy?

Cheers!

The Café Sucré Farine October 27, 2011 at 11:17 am

This is looks wonderful! Thanks for all the helpful info about chia seeds!

Svet October 26, 2011 at 6:52 pm

What a lovely blog!
Greetings from Vienna,
Svet

Pam October 25, 2011 at 9:28 pm

Very nice, it looks good!

Karen Harris October 25, 2011 at 9:24 pm

This looks really good. Could I send my teenager over to your house? Maybe he would eat good things for you. I love that your children are so open to so many foods.

Kirsten@My German Kitchen...in the Rockies October 23, 2011 at 2:52 am

@Natalie: It is a Chinese spice mixture. It contains star anise, cinnamon, cloves, Sichuan pepper, and fennel seeds. I use the Frontier brand. Follow the link here:
http://www.frontiercoop.com/products.php?ct=spicesaz&cn=Chinese%20Five%20Spice

Natalie October 23, 2011 at 2:44 am

This looks incredible, but what is five spice powder?

Boulder Locavore October 23, 2011 at 2:15 am

We love Chia seeds! Who thought those hokey ceramic heads the you can grow hair on (with Chia seeds) were really so much more! The Aztecs would pop a mouthfull and take off on all day treks for the protein and hydration. We started using them years ago in our homemade gluten free bread to up the protein and fiber. I love that they are so small and really tasteless. Makes them very flexible BUT they would be perfect in your delicious sounding granola. Great idea!

Loving the new photos on your banner and esp. a little mushroom risotto photo that looks oh-so-familiar! Love that. Hope you are well and enjoying fall!

Lea Ann October 22, 2011 at 9:28 pm

I've been having Whole Foods granola over yogart for breakfast these days. I'd love to give this a try.

Patzi October 21, 2011 at 3:12 pm

I love Chia seeds. Can't eat them whole, though. But I love them in my morning smoothie!

Ana Rita October 21, 2011 at 2:56 pm

Really nice granola recipe!!!I love chia seeds!

Kisses,
Rita

http://bembons.blogspot.com

Susan October 21, 2011 at 12:36 pm

What a wonderfully healthy way to start the morning. Chia seeds aren't just for pets! LOL!!

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