Author: VMcMahan

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Cosmopolitan Granola Bites for Energy

A container filled with Cosmopolitan Granola Bites

 

If you want a quick and easy afternoon snack, granola bites are a great choice for providing energy! Granola energy bites are incredibly convenient because they require minimal preparation and simple ingredients like granola, peanut butter, honey, or maple syrup. These are a no-bake snack, so they can be whipped up quickly without warming the oven. This makes them ideal for busy afternoons when hunger strikes, but time is limited.

Not only are granola energy bites quick and easy to make, they are a healthy and nutritious option. Our granola has a fiber-rich mix of oats, nuts, and dried fruits, providing a good dose of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. When combined with protein from peanut butter and natural sweeteners like honey or maple syrup, these energy bites become a well-rounded snack that helps you sustain energy levels throughout the afternoon. 

Granola energy bites can also be a convenient on-the-go snack when heading to the office, school, or running errands.

These tasty snacks are also easy to customize for any picky eaters. Feel free to choose your favorite Little Red Wagon Granola flavor and jazz it up by rolling in chia seeds or whatever strikes your fancy. Granola energy bites are a delicious, quick, and wholesome snack to help you tackle the day. Try it today!

Cosmopolitan Granola Bites Ingredients:

  • 1 cup Cosmopolitan granola or your favorite 
  • 1/2 cup natural, creamy peanut butter or your favorite nut butter
  • 2 tablespoons chia seed
  • 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
  • Optional: additional chia seeds, melted chocolate, or other toppings 

Instructions:

  1. In a medium bowl, combine all ingredients breaking up any really big granola chunks.
  2. Stir very thoroughly to combine.
  3. Scoop using a teaspoon and your hands, press firmly to form one-inch balls. 
  4. If using any additional toppings, roll the formed ball in the preferred topping.
  5. Place in an air-tight container and refrigerate for at least 1 hour
  6. Reshape energy balls as needed, and enjoy!

Power Up Your Day With Little Red Wagon’s Granola Bites

The key to sticking to a healthy diet and preventing burnout is to have ready-made, portable snacks on standby. With crowd-pleaser recipes like this one, that’s easier than ever!

Discover more filling recipes here and experiment with Little Red Wagon Granola flavors by ordering a variety pack!

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Why Buy Granola Butter When You Can Whip It Up Yourself?

Little Red Wagon Granola Owner, Ven, and her son smiling at each other in the kitchen as they make granola butter

If you’re a nut butter fan, you’ll love granola butter! Creamy, toasty, and nutty, it can be used in various ways. Plus, it’s super simple to make. So, don’t shell out your hard-earned bucks on pre-made versions. Instead, whip it up yourself and get creative with customizations! 

How to Make Homemade Granola Butter

You can use any Little Red Wagon Granola flavor as the base for your butter, but we love making it with our Mocha granola. Feel free to add extra ingredients like ginger, canned pumpkin, sesame seeds, or flavored extracts.  

Ingredients:

  • 1 10oz Bag of Little Red Wagon Mocha Granola (or flavor of choice)
  • ½ Cup coconut oil (add more or less to thin or thicken the mixture)
  • ⅓ Cup unsweetened coconut flakes
  • 1 tbsp flax seeds 
  • ½ tsp orange zest
  • 3 tbsp maple syrup 
  • 1 pinch sea salt

Instructions:

  1. Place your ingredients in a food processor.
  2. Blend on high until you’ve reached the desired consistency. 
  3. Pour mixture into a jar and refrigerate. 
  4. Bon Appetite!

Tasty Ways to Enjoy

Granola butter is pretty versatile, and how you’ll use it depends on the flavors you’ve chosen to include. We like to use our granola spread in the following ways:

  • Topping off a smoothie or bowl of oatmeal.
  •  As a dip for strawberries, apples, or bananas.
  • Spread on toast or an English muffin.
  • Drizzled over ice cream.
  • Licked from a spoon!

Proceed with caution—this stuff can be addicting!

Order Little Red Wagon Granola Online and Get Free Shipping

We love traditional granola fixes, like using it as a topping for yogurt. But we also get pumped to experiment with our favorite snack, and blending up some granola butter scratches that itch. Visit our online store to dream up more fun with granola and get free shipping anywhere in the US!

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Big Apple Granola Crusted Pork Chops

Summer is synonymous with firing up the grill. While burgers and hotdogs may dominate the grilling scene, why not switch things up this grilling season? Say hello to our Big Apple Granola Crusted Pork Chops. They are a fusion of sweet and savory flavors that will elevate your summer grilling game to new heights.

Granola, typically associated with breakfast or snacking, may not seem like an obvious choice for grilling. However, when used as a crust for pork chops, it adds a delightful crunch and a subtle sweetness that perfectly complements a juicy pork chop. The combination of savory pork and the wholesome goodness of granola creates a harmonious blend of flavors and textures that will delight your taste buds.  

And, of course, no one wants to toil away in the kitchen prepping food in the summer.  These pork chops come together quickly and are easy to prepare on the grill. This summer, think beyond traditional grilling fare and let our granola-crusted pork chops bring a unique twist to your cookouts or barbeques.

crusted pork chops ingredients
Big Apple Granola Crusted Pork Chop Ingredients

Ingredients:

Instructions:

  1. Pat pork chops with a paper towel so they are dry on all sides. 
  2. Divide yogurt in half and coat each pork chop with yogurt on all sides.
  3. Add granola to a food processor and blend until fine crumble forms. Transfer the crumble mixture to a plate. 
  4. Add garlic, salt, and pepper to the granola crumble plate. Stir to combine the mixture creating a rub on your pork chops. 
  5. Place yogurt-covered pork chops on the crumble mixture and coat all sides of each pork chop evenly with the granola rub. Lightly press the rub into the meat. 
  6. Cook pork chops on a grill heated to medium-high heat with oiled grates to prevent sticking. (Alternatively, you can sear in a pan on the stove over medium heat.)
  7. Make sure the internal temperature of your pork chop reaches at least 145 degrees which is about 4-6 minutes on each side. 
  8. Allow the pork chop to rest for at least 3 minutes before serving to allow the juices to redistribute.
  9. Enjoy with a glass of pinot noir or chilled chardonnay!

Let LRWG’s Granola Crusted Pork Chops Inspire More Sweet and Savory Combos

Savory or salty flavors tend to make sweet notes sing and vice versa- so don’t be afraid to experiment with unlikely food combinations! Our online shop has a variety of Little Red Wagon Granola flavors that are great to add to salads and grilled dishes. Interested in becoming a wholesale granola partner? Spread the LRWG love to your community by applying online. Bon Appétite!

 

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Fuel Up With Tasty Travel Snack Box Treats Featuring Little Red Wagon Granola

Ven with her son in a wagon loaded with a travel snack box

July is undoubtedly, one of the most popular travel months. After all, people are on summer vacation and looking to escape for a little rest and relaxation. Even when you’re not traveling, you’ll still be busy driving to recreational activities and running errands. So, a travel snack box is the perfect way to fuel up on the go. Here are some tasty snack ideas for summer-specific travel. 

Plane Travel Box Snacks 

Plane travel is famously lacking in the food area, so it’s especially important to bring your own to avoid chalky cookies and overpriced airport food. The best plan of action is to pack a treat that isn’t terribly messy and won’t stink up the plane. Below are some low-maintenance options for air travel:

  • Fill a four-compartment container with baby carrots, raspberries, Crunchy Monkey granola, and cubed cheese.
  • A simple ham and cheese sandwich paired with apple slices provides the perfect mix of protein, complex carbs, and fiber for longer flights.
  • For a vegan option, pack a veggie wrap with hummus, sprouts, tomatoes, lettuce, avocados, and sliced bell peppers. Sprinkle fillings lightly with salt, pepper, olive oil, and red wine vinegar.

Keep in mind that TSA may confiscate anything containing peanuts, as they are a common allergen.

Car Trip Treats

The good thing about traveling in the car is that you can stop and wash out your travel snack box, which means you have more options—unless you’re the driver. Luckily we have ideas for both drivers and passengers that are sure to satisfy whether you’re sitting in traffic on your way to work or hauling kiddos to the Grand Canyon.

Passenger Snacks

  • A classic yogurt and granola parfait packs the perfect punch of protein, calcium, complex carbs, and fiber. We love our original granola because it pairs well with pretty much any flavor of yogurt. If dairy isn’t your thing, top some unsweetened applesauce with our Big Apple granola for an apple crisp dupe.
  • Use a divided container to pack veggies or chips and some dip. Alternatively, you could mix Greek yogurt, peanut butter, and slice fruit to dip it in. Yum!

Driver Snacks

  • Make mini-kabobs by spearing turkey-wrapped cherry tomatoes (or your preferred veggie) with a toothpick. Make sure the container is easily accessible so you can focus on driving.
  • Pour our Lemony Sunshine Smoothie or Orange Cosmopolitan Smoothie into a travel mug with a straw. 
  • Make mocha energy balls by mixing nut butter, soaked Medjool dates, Mocha granola, almonds, and shredded coconut in a food processor. Roll the mixture into bite-sized balls and chill overnight before adding them to your snack box and hitting the road.

Swim, Hike, and Bike Fuel 

If you’re traveling outside by way of biking, hiking, or swimming, then constant hydration should be the priority. Other than having plenty of water on hand, you’ll also want energy from carbs and protein, as well as foods that can replenish electrolytes. Pack your beach bag or sports backpack with these goodies to power up while you play.

  • Cube watermelon, dress in lime juice, and freeze for a refreshing treat full of H2O, potassium, and magnesium. 
  • Quench your thirst with an icy agua fresca brimming with electrolytes. Just blend cold mango, coconut water, lime juice, and a bit of sugar before pouring through a fine-mesh strainer and into a travel tumbler.
  • Make a Caprese sandwich by spreading pesto on whole-grain bread. Add fresh mozzarella and sliced Roma tomatoes with a bit of salt and pepper to taste. 
  • Throw an unpeeled banana in your bag! They’re self-contained and higher in potassium than any other fruit. 

No Travel Snack Box Is Complete Without Little Red Wagon Granola

We look forward to summer fun all year, but the hot months are even more enjoyable with these food options that keep you nourished and energized. Stock up on the most travel-friendly snack of all by visiting our online shop and choosing from our yummy selection of handmade granola. Stay cool!

 

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Recipes

Lemony Sunshine Smoothie

a sunshine smoothie sitting on a wooden board

 

Summer is upon us, and we hope it provides opportunities to escape the daily grind and the heat. At Little Red Wagon, we’re dodging both with a refreshing and lemony sunshine smoothie. Bursting with flavor and packed with essential nutrients, smoothies are the ultimate summer companions.

Our lemony sunshine smoothie recipe helps you get your servings of fruit for the day and includes banana, pineapples, mango, lemon, and Greek yogurt. This tropical medley is sunshine in a cup! The humble banana is packed with potassium and natural sugars, providing a creamy base for our smoothie. The high potassium content can help maintain electrolyte balance, an important mineral for combating dehydration during the hot summer months. 

The vibrant mango is bursting with vibrant color and tropical flavor. Mangoes are rich in vitamins A and C and packed with antioxidants supporting a healthy immune system. But, of course, no tropical smoothie is complete without pineapple, packed with vitamin C and bromelain, an enzyme known for its anti-inflammatory properties. In addition, the pineapple enhances the flavor and helps with digestion, making it an ideal choice for those balmy summer days when we crave something light and satisfying.  

The lemon brightens our smoothie and is known for its detoxifying properties and high vitamin C content. The citrusy flavor invigorates the taste buds but alkalizes the body and can promote overall health and vitality. Greek yogurt provides a creamy, tangy flavor and is packed with protein, probiotics, and essential nutrients. So, grab your blender, let the fruits blend, and sip your way to a sensational summer experience!

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup mango, cut into chunks
  • 1 cup pineapple, cut into chunks
  • 1 cup sliced banana
  • 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
  • 1 Tablespoon honey
  • Zest from 1 lemon
  • Juice from 1 lemon
  • Lemon Drop Granola for garnish
  • Fresh fruit for garnish
  • Ice if using fresh fruit

Note:  fresh or frozen fruit can be used for this recipe. 

Instructions:

  1. Add all ingredients to a blender or food processor.
  2. Blend the ingredients until incorporated, and the texture is smooth. Modify the ice or yogurt amount to adjust the consistency as needed depending on whether you are using fresh or frozen fruit.
  3. Transfer the smoothie mixture to your favorite glass.
  4. Top with granola and fruit as desired.
  5. Enjoy!d

Whip Up Our Sunshine Smoothie for a Summer Treat

This frosty tropical treat has been helping us beat the heat; now it can do the same for you! Experiment with freezing the mixture into popsicles or using it as a base for your morning smoothie bowl. For more fun recipes, check out our past blogs. 

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When Life Gives You Lemons, Try This Summer Granola Flavor

summer granola flavor: lemon drop granola

 

The bright, citrus flavor of lemons has always seemed symbolic of summer, with their sunny skin and tart bite that makes cold lemonade so refreshing on a hot day. So naturally, we wanted to encapsulate those qualities in our seasonal Lemon Drop granola, and suffice it to say; we hit the mark! Discover the ingredients to make your mouth water and learn fun ways to enjoy this summer granola.

How Our Summer Granola Shines So Bright

At Little Red Wagon Granola, we don’t shy away from big flavors, and our Lemon Drop granola is no exception. To ensure the essence of lemon is felt, we added lemon oil to impart juicy aromatics that warm the tongue. Next, sweet white chocolate chips balance the fruit’s mouth-puckering sensation, while crunchy almonds add a nutty texture to crispy, toasted oats. Finally, brown sugar binds each flavorful note into one tasty song! 

Treat Yourself to These Flavorful Pairings 

Granola purists can enjoy our Lemon Drop flavor on yogurt or straight out of the bag, but if you want to get creative, try some of these inventive combos:

  • As a topping for ice cream: The lemon crunch goes great with strawberry or Mexican vanilla ice cream.
  • Mixed in with cottage cheese: The white chocolate chips and creamy cheese combo give lemon cheesecake vibes. Yum!
  • As a crust for lemon panna cotta: Puree the granola with a bit of coconut oil and press it into a small dish. Layer the panna cotta on top, and enjoy with espresso for a lovely Italian dessert.

Try these sweet delights anytime you need a filling indulgence!

Taste The Sun With Little Red Wagon’s Seasonal Flavor 

If you’re a lemon lover, head to our online shop to stock up on Lemon Drop granola before it’s gone! While you’re there, check out other fan favorites like the richly-flavored Crunchy Monkey or our versatile Original flavor that the whole family can enjoy! Need more recipe inspiration? We’re always mixing something up in our blog. 

 

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Apple Pie Granola Parfait

apple pie granola parfait in glass next to Little Red Wagon's Big Apple Granola

As the month of May rolls through, I hope April showers have brought you May flowers. The blooms and warmer weather make it a great time of year to spend more time outside exploring the outdoors or relaxing with family and friends. As the days get warmer and longer, I spend more time outside and crave lighter, more refreshing meals and snacks.  

Parfaits make a great option for a light and easy breakfast or any time of day snack.  Try our apple pie granola parfait when you’re looking for a refreshing breakfast or snack. The yogurt offers a great source of protein, and the fruit and granola can help fill your daily fiber needs. Parfaits also offer so much flexibility and can be tailored to any picky eater you may have in the house. I love to use whatever fruits we have in the house or whatever fruits are in season. Feel free to swap fruit and granola flavors with what you have on hand or enjoy.  

May brings many opportunities to celebrate, whether it’s for Mother’s Day, graduations, or Memorial Day Festivities. I hope you’ve had a great May thus far, and as the school year starts to wind down and the summer holidays start beckoning, I wish you a wonderful summer ahead! 

Apple Pie Granola Parfait Suggested Ingredients:
  • 1 1/2 cups of vanilla or plain yogurt (Greek yogurt offers a great boost of protein)
  • 1 green apple, cut into cubes or slices 
  • 1/2 cup of Little Red Wagon Big Apple Granola  
  • Any additional toppings of choice (chia seeds make a great addition)
Instructions:
  1. Grab your favorite glass (or bowl).
  2. Scoop or spoon yogurt into the glass, add a layer of granola, and top with fruit.
  3. Add additional layers as desired and top with any additional toppings of choice.
  4. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Order Our Granola Online and Enjoy Free Shipping!

Curious about our other flavors? Order a Little Red Wagon Granola variety pack and try them all. Plus, customers in the U.S. get free shipping. Happy snacking!

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Why Our Clean Granola Ingredients Are Better for You and the Environment

Clean granola ingredients graphic

 

Little Red Wagon Granola has been committed to natural, sustainably sourced ingredients since our inception in 2004. As a result, our granolas are high in fiber and protein with a sugar content that’s about half the amount of major granola brands. Let’s explore the clean granola ingredients we use as alternatives to the high fructose corn syrup, sorbitol, and palm oil often found in popular granola bars and mixes.

Instead of Corn Syrup and Sorbitol, We Use…

We prefer to use real brown sugar and dried fruit to sweeten our granolas rather than high fructose corn syrup, which is difficult for your body to digest and can increase cholesterol. 

Eating large amounts of high fructose corn syrup or pure sugar will have negative health consequences. The American Heart Association recommends that women limit added sugars to 25 grams daily and men limit their intake to 36 grams daily.  That’s why we combine brown sugar and fruit to sweeten our granola, which never exceeds 11 grams of sugar per serving. That’s about half of the amount popular brands pack into a similar-sized serving. 

Don’t get us wrong, we love including sweet treats like chocolate and dried fruits in some of our granolas, but a little goes a long way. We’re careful to add just enough so that you taste it but not so much that it overpowers your palate. 

Instead of Palm Oil, We Use…

Many granola manufacturers use palm oil, while we use butter or vegetable oil. Palm oil actually has some health benefits that butter and vegetable oil don’t. Still, its negative impact on the environment and wildlife outweighs the health perks of its vitamin E and A content. 

To further our Healthy Earth mission, we opt to use butter or vegetable oil in our recipes. They deepen the flavors and don’t add to deforestation, and have a lower carbon footprint.

Get Your Clean Granola Fix With Little Red Wagon’s Online Shop

At Little Red Wagon, our granola is an extension of us and our values. If we don’t want our kids to eat it, it’s not going in our granola. Plus, we add nutrient-dense ingredients like almonds and pecans whenever possible. Check out our online shop to try one or all of our mouth-watering flavors packed with fiber and protein!

 

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Cosmopolitan Carrot-Granola Smoothie Bowl

granola smoothie bowl in the sunshine next to handmade granola and orange juice

 

Spring is officially upon us, and with it, a new season and all the changes this season brings. We hope you have had a chance to enjoy all that April offers, whether it’s an April Fool’s joke, Easter festivities, or Spring Break. I am personally enjoying the extra sunshine and all that is blooming.  Although April weather can be a bit all over the place, cold and rainy one day to warm and sunny the next, it reminds us that summer and warm days are around the corner. 

As the weather shifts, our meal routines start to shift from the heartier winter meals to lighter fare. Granola smoothie bowls are a great way to start off the day with a light but filling and nutritious breakfast. 

Our Cosmopolitan carrot granola smoothie bowl is a great way to get more servings of fruits and vegetables into your routine and blends carrots with your favorite tropical fruits.  Greek yogurt provides a good source of calcium, protein, and probiotics.  Our handmade granola rounds out both the flavor profile and nutrition with heart-healthy fiber and protein.

Granola Smoothie Ingredients:
  • 1 cup of frozen tropical fruit blend (or your favorite frozen tropical fruits, pineapple, mangos, etc.)
  • 4 baby carrots
  • 1/2 cup of Greek yogurt 
  • 2 Tbsp of coconut milk
  • 4 Tbsp of orange juice 
  • 1/4 cup of Little Red Wagon Cosmopolitan Granola (or your favorite flavor)
  • Additional toppings of your choice: shredded coconut, chia seeds, fresh fruit
Granola Smoothie Directions:
  1. In a blender, add your frozen fruits, carrots, yogurt, coconut milk, and orange juice.
  2. Blend until there are no large chunks of fruit or carrot. You may see small bits of the carrot or fruit, but that should be fine.
  3. Using a rubber spatula, pour/scrape the smoothie into a bowl.
  4. Sprinkle granola on top and top with any additional toppings of choice.
  5. Enjoy!
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Little Red Wagon Granola Earned Our Safe Quality Food Certification! Here’s Why It Matters

safe quality food certification earned by Little Red Wagon Granola

 

The Little Red Wagon Granola team is proud to announce that after much hard work with The Safe Quality Food (SQF) Program, we have earned our SQF certification! We’ve been working towards this certification for quite a while, and it’s so gratifying to achieve it. Our goal is to provide food products that meet extremely high standards, and the Safe Quality Food certification ensures actions behind those values. But what does this program do, and how did we get certified? We’ll cover all that and how it impacts granola lovers like you!

What Does the SQF Program Do?

SQF was a division created in 1994 by the Food Marketing Institute to address increasing concerns surrounding food safety, especially after foodborne illnesses like E.coli affected fast food customers.

Before the SQF Institute was established, quality control was up to local food supply chains. Consequently, there needed to be a globally standardized approach to assess food safety, quality, or traceability. 

That’s where SQF stepped in. Their mission was, and is, to establish unilaterally standard practices ensuring food producers, manufacturers, processors, retailers, packagers, and transporters follow SQF regulations. Part of this mission is to educate food production brands on proper SQF protocol to ensure consumers’ safety and earn certification.

How LRWG Earned Its Safe Quality Food Certification

Little Red Wagon Granola is more than just a business for us. It’s our legacy and our passion. We hand-make each batch using natural ingredients. Those are lovely sentiments and aspects of our brand, but earning our SQF certification was the natural next step. 

To prepare for the SQF site audit, one of our team members got a separate certification to help Little Red Wagon identify gaps and our current processes. At the same time, the rest of us studied the SQF code, analysis, and standards. Luckily, they provide classes and resources online to educate the team. All of this helped us understand where we needed to improve and re-organize. Then came the exciting (and nerve-wracking) day we’d been working towards. 

And…drumroll, please…we passed! We have our Safe Quality Food certification, and soon our packaging will bear this hard-earned emblem. Plus, we’ll be re-certified every year, so you know that we’ll never reduce our standards.

Enjoy Your Favorite Granola With Confidence

All this industry jargon means for you is that it’s not just lip service when we say our granola is handmade by us, using sustainably sourced, natural ingredients. It also means that you and your family can feel safe enjoying your favorite Little Red Wagon Granola flavors because each has passed quality and safety standards. Shop on our website to stock up, or find us in your local market!