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Natural Granola Ingredients We Love to Use in our Recipes

natural granola ingredients like almonds

Take one scroll through the recipes on our blog and you’ll know that we take food seriously. Especially when that food includes natural, healthy ingredients that keep us fuller longer and satisfy our taste buds (even that finicky sweet tooth!). At Little Red Wagon Granola, you can find delicious, natural granola ingredients in every bag. 

Natural granola ingredients make all the difference 

Like most of our customers, we love a good snack. But when it comes to snacks (or breakfast or, really, any food), we go for those that keep us full and are full of flavor. That’s why we made it our mission from the beginning to use natural granola ingredients. And choosing natural ingredients means we can also fulfill our goals of sustainability, sourcing local, and honoring our farmer’s market roots. 

If we had to narrow it down, these ingredients make all the difference in our granolas. 

Healthy fats

Whether you like the richness of Mocha or the citrus-zing from Cosmopolitan, you’ll notice that each granola flavor we offer includes nuts like almonds and pecans. This is because the unsaturated fats and Omega-3 fatty acids found in nuts are the “good” heart-healthy ones that can do things like lower cholesterol, reduce inflammation, and improve the lining of your arteries. In other words, nuts are nature’s little heart helpers.   

Recipe to try: These Red Velvet Overnight Oats contain Mocha granola and hidden veggies. 

Natural sweeteners

Our granolas get their sweetness from fruits like apples, bananas, cranberries, and oranges. So the next time you finish a bowl of Crunchy Monkey or sneak a few handfuls of Big Apple, know that you’re getting the added benefits of fiber, vitamins, and antioxidants. 

Recipe to try: Big Apple Granola and unsweetened applesauce make these Big Apple Granola Muffins the perfect way to satisfy a sweet craving. 

Flavorful spices 

What’s the point of good-for-you food if it doesn’t also taste good? Our natural granola packs a punch in the flavor department due to delicious ingredients and flavorful spices like our go-to: cinnamon. Besides adding that extra special something to our bags cinnamon is loaded with antioxidants, is anti-inflammatory, and can lower blood sugar levels. 

Recipe to try: These Magic Bars made with our Original granola are truly, well, magical. 

Add a little something extra with our natural granola 

With healthy fats, natural sweeteners, and flavorful spices, it’s no wonder that our granola is a go-to for so many—and satisfies those cravings! So, the next time you’re looking for a snack, the perfect topping, or that oh-so-special addition to a recipe, look no further than our natural granola. 

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3 Valentine’s Day Treats Using Our Healthy, Delicious Granola

a strawberry yogurt valentines day treat

It’s February, which means love is in the air. And while the holiday is stereotypically reserved for couples, we think Valentine’s Day is an excellent opportunity to celebrate all different forms of love. So, why not shower your kids, family, friends, and even neighbors with some extra love this year? With these unique Valentine’s Day treats, you can create something special to share that tastes amazing but still offers some health benefits.

A Classic Berry Valentine’s Day Treat Topped with Chocolate and Granola  

First up is a classic: chocolate-covered strawberries. Strawberries have long been associated with love and are now a staple Valentine’s Day treat, along with candy hearts and chocolate roses. 

This recipe from Taste of Home shows you how to DIY this treat at home. They recommend covering the berries with chopped nuts, but we think a little bit of our Mocha granola would work even better! The warm dark chocolate and mocha flavors are a perfect balance against the tart strawberries. 

Easy Crunchy Clusters to Share with Friends and Neighbors

As we mentioned before, Valentine’s Day doesn’t have to only be about our partners. You can share the love with friends and neighbors by dropping a treat off at their house. But, Instead of choosing some store-bought dessert, try these make-at-home clusters from Wilton. 

Simply grab your favorite ingredients, like granola, nuts, raisins, crispy rice cereal, and whatever else you’d like, and marry the ingredients together with some melted chocolate. To make the recipe even easier, use one of our flavorful granola mixes as your base. Then all you need to do is melt and pour some chocolate and add sprinkles! Easy peasy. 

A Festive (and Secretly Healthy) Start to the Day 

Part of the joy of celebrating Valentine’s Day is seeing the excitement from your kids while they share their homemade cards and giggle about their crushes during breakfast before school. 

To make their morning just that much more special, make some super simple and surprisingly healthy red velvet overnight oats. Not only is this recipe super festive, but it will also fill the kids up and keep them full longer, so they’re less likely to overindulge in candy throughout the school day.

Share A Little Extra Love This Valentine’s Day with Little Red Wagon Granola

No matter how you choose to celebrate this February 14th, we hope you enjoy the time with loved ones. These Valentine’s Day treats are sure to help brighten your day while providing essential nutrients and hunger-busting fiber. So which recipe will you try next? 

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Looking for more delicious inspiration? Explore our full recipe collection here and discover your favorite Little Red Wagon Granola flavors ! Your next favorite granola creation is just a click away.

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Why High Fiber Snacks (Like Granola!) Are Essential For Your Resolutions

After the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, January brings fresh energy and a chance to tackle your New Year’s resolutions. Big goals require the right fuel, and Little Red Wagon Granola is here to power your day. High fiber snacks, like our granola, are the perfect way to keep you feeling nourished, satisfied, and ready to take on anything!

High Fiber Snacks Help You Stay Full Longer

When you add goals to your to-do list in the new year, you disrupt your normal schedule—making it easy to find yourself skipping meals. Unfortunately, this lack of fuel leaves you in a slump all day, decreasing your chances of achieving those goals. 

Luckily, if you manage to fit in a high fiber breakfast, like our delicious granola, you’ll be ready to tackle the day. High fiber foods, like granola, keep you feeling full longer because they take longer to digest. So when you’re working out or focusing on that new hobby, you won’t be distracted by a grumbly stomach.

Our Fiber-Rich Granola is Packed with Nutrients 

One of the big topics people make resolutions around is a desire to look and feel better than they did in the previous years. They want to feel more energetic and look more youthful and exuberant. Amazingly, our high fiber granola can help you with that as well! 

Little Red Wagon Granola features fruits, nuts, berries, and other nutrient-rich foods. Take our classic Cosmopolitan, for example. This delicious blend features cranberries, almonds, pecans, and orange oil. Cranberries are a great source of Vitamin C, and pecans and almonds are packed with healthy fats. Both of these nutrients help your skin glow!

Fiber-Rich Foods Help Balance Blood Sugar Levels

After a particularly tough workout or a busy morning, it’s normal for blood sugar levels to decrease. This can cause fatigue and a lack of focus, which puts a damper on your day. 

Luckily, the oats we use in our granola are high in beta-glucan, a type of soluble fiber. This fiber has been linked to several health benefits, including managing blood sugar and cholesterol levels. So, enjoying a small bowl of granola at lunch or after a workout can be a great way to avoid the afternoon slump.

Achieve Your Resolutions this Year with the Help of Little Red Wagon Granola

At Little Red Wagon Granola, we’re always striving to help our customers look and feel their best. And we believe that with a bit of hard work, and some healthy, fiber-rich fuel, you can achieve even your most challenging resolutions. We’re here with you every step of the way. 

Happy New Year!

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How to Dress Up Your Granola for Holiday Activities

Holiday themed granola—perfect for all your holiday activities

There are so many wonderful ways to enjoy the holiday season. Some prefer holiday activities involving getting together with family or friends, while others enjoy taking time away to unwind and reconnect. But one thing’s for sure—the best holiday activities usually involve great food. We wanted to share a few delicious granola treats you can spruce up and share or enjoy on your own this holiday season. 

A Bake-Ahead Breakfast for Holiday Hosting

For a hearty, fiber-rich breakfast option, try our easy baked oatmeal recipe. This breakfast is an excellent option for holiday hosts. You can batch-make a big tray to share with a large group. If you’re feeling particularly festive, add in a few holiday sprinkles or swap out the Crunchy Monkey granola for a different flavor like Original or Big Apple. You could also add in some dried cranberries or any other dried fruit or berry you enjoy. 

A Tasty Snack for the Outdoorsy Types  

Some of our favorite holiday memories are days spent playing outside making snowmen, skiing, or hunting for a Christmas tree. If you also find yourself spending a lot of time outdoors for holiday activities, these Magic Bars are a fabulous make-ahead option to bring along. To add a little festive cheer, you can swap out the butterscotch chips for some peppermint chips and add a drizzle of chocolate on top. 

Two Delicious Desserts to Enjoy One-on-One or in a Group

To round out the chilly winter evenings, you can try our Oatmeal Cranberry Cookies or our delicious Apple Dumplings. The cranberry cookies are a great option to bring to a holiday party. They also pair well with a glass of milk (or milk substitute), hot chocolate, or even your favorite decaf tea or coffee. You can even use them in place of sugar cookies for the kids to decorate and leave out for Santa. 

The apple dumplings, on the other hand, make the ideal cozy dessert. You can share them with your partner or enjoy them alone. They’re the perfect treat to devour while snuggling up next to a warm fire and watching a festive holiday movie. 

Delectable Granola Makes Holiday Activities a Delight

At Little Red Wagon Granola, we believe great food brings us together and keeps us connected. Whether your holidays are filled with tons of dinner parties or a simple at-home celebration, we hope this season brings you happiness, love, and a ton of delicious granola treats. 

Shop our collection of unique and healthy granola today. 

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How Women-Owned Businesses Are Leading The Sustainability Charge

women-owned businesses, Ven at Little Red Wagon Granola

Women-owned businesses now represent 42 percent of all businesses in the U.S, and they’re shaping the future of sustainability and best business practices. Little Red Wagon Granola is proud to have had female leaders who’ve made it their mission to provide delicious granola with a purpose. Since the beginning, we’ve kept our business women and family-owned with an emphasis on sustainability.

Little Red Wagon has always been in the ranks of women-owned businesses 

Yolanda Bravo began selling her delicious, homemade granola at the Chapel Hill Farmers’ Market in North Carolina in 2004. Over the following years, Yolanda and her husband Hank expanded their business along the East Coast and into SE Canada keeping the simple, local ingredients that had granola fans coming back for more. 

When we purchased Little Red Wagon from its founder in early 2020, we knew we had big shoes to fill. Women-owned businesses like Yolanda’s are usually scrappy and innovative and we knew we had something special with this granola company. We stayed committed to Yolanda’s vision, kept women at the helm, stayed family-owned, and continued to create delicious, balanced homemade granola. 

Little Red Wagon Granola’s sustainability goals 

According to the 2020 BNP Paribas Global Entrepreneur Report, 54 percent of female leaders say that “beyond financial returns, reducing their carbon footprint is their top measure of success…compared to just 41 percent of men.”  As a family and women owned granola company, we’re committed to making sustainable choices now that leave the planet better for the next generations which is why “healthy earth” is one of our key values. 

One of the big ways we focus on ensuring a healthy planet is with sustainable packaging. Unfortunately, only 10% of the world’s plastic packaging gets recycled. Which leaves the rest accumulating in landfills, oceans, or in the environment. Our current bags are fully recyclable and from a manufacturer committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and uses non-toxic ink. We hope you will join us in this journey to minimize the use of single-use plastics. 

Supporting women-owned businesses is a double-win 

When you buy from women-owned businesses like Little Red Wagon, you’re getting so much more than a quality product. You’re supporting brands that are passionate, committed, and dedicated to customers. Delicious granola and strong values? We call that a double-win.

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3 Fall Activities To Do While Munching On Our Crunchy Granola

little boys smiling in apple orchard, crunchy granola blog

The weather’s cooler, the days are shorter, and the streets are filled with the sound of crunching leaves and happy kids returning home from school. We’ve even spotted a pumpkin or two in the shops. That’s right; fall is officially here! Fall is arguably our favorite season at Little Red Wagon Granola. It’s a special time filled with family, friends, and lots of outdoor activities. Today, we thought we’d share some of our favorite ways to take advantage of the season while enjoying some delicious, crunchy granola along the way. 

Hunt for Apples, Then Enjoy Your Spoils 

If there’s one activity that encompasses the joy of fall, it has to be apple picking.

Spending time with the family outside in the orchards is a great way to take advantage of the fall weather. Plus, it gives kids space to play and learn more about where their food comes from. And it’s a great way to get supplies for some much-needed fall recipes.

There are all kinds of ways to incorporate our delicious, crunchy granola into your fall apple recipes. We particularly love these granola caramel apples, especially with some of our seasonal granola options like Big Apple!  

So, why not load up the car with a picnic basket, lots of blankets, and the whole family, and head out to the orchard this weekend? 

Scavenge for Fall Foliage and Create Some Decor  

We love taking advantage of the leaves changing by bringing some warm fall colors into the home.

Just bundle up and head outside with the family for a scavenger hunt. Along the way, pick up leaves, pine cones, and any other foliage you find around the neighborhood—of course, remaining respectful of the natural surroundings. Then, if you’re feeling extra adventurous, head out to the closest hiking trail to search. Just don’t forget to pack some granola to munch on while you’re hiking! 

Once you and the kids are sufficiently tuckered out, head back home and use the goodies you found along the way to create some festive decorations. This DIY leaf wreath is a great way to invite some warmth into the home.

Enjoy a Spooky Movie Night In

Fall festivities would not be complete without a spooky movie night. It doesn’t matter if you’re tuning in for TV Halloween marathons like Freeforms 31 Nights of Halloween or hunting down all the scary movies on your favorite streaming site—all we know is that at-home movie snacks are a must! 

Our tasty granola blends are the perfect addition to provide an option with some healthy fats and a good dose of fiber. Mix it in with your popcorn, add chocolate candies like M&M’s, or even get extra festive by mixing in candy corn! The possibilities are endless.

Little Red Wagon Granola—The Perfect Treat For Fall Activities 

No matter what you decide to do, we hope you spend the season enjoying time with family and friends and indulging in life’s little treats. So, what activities are you most looking forward to this fall? And which flavor of our seasonal, crunchy granola will help fuel your adventures?  

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Easy Back-to-School Snacks With Little Red Wagon Granola

easy back-to-school snacks like granola bars

It’s that time of year again: we’ve traded summer picnics for school pickups and lazy days for crazy ones. While back-to-school time can be exciting, we know it’s also a bit stressful. As your schedules begin to fill up with after-school activities and you’re rushing out the door in the mornings, it can be tough to find a breather. So in the spirit of ease and convenience (two necessities for family meal prep), here are three easy back-to-school snacks you can make to enjoy at home or on the go.

Back-to-school snack #1: A new twist on an old classic 

Who doesn’t love a good “ant on a log”? It’s a timeless classic we all grew up enjoying, so why not pass the tradition down—but maybe with a bit of a twist.

Your typical ant on a log usually consists of a few strips of celery, a healthy dose of peanut butter, and a couple raisins sprinkled on top. But why not swap out the raisins for a little extra fiber crunch? Our Crunchy Monkey granola has the perfect sweetness to balance out the richness of the peanut butter. 


Plus, with prep time lasting practically seconds, this snack can free up some time during your packed schedule. 

Back-to-school snack #2: A sweet treat for sour days 

Let’s face it, some days just aren’t as great as others. Whether it’s a particularly hard test at school, or the typical growing pains of adolescence, our kids will need a special pick-me-up every now and then. So for the days when smiles aren’t shining as bright, these Magic Bars will bring a little joy and sweetness.

You can bake the Magic Bars ahead of time, and store them away in an air-tight container for a rainy day. Or, better yet, carve out some space for a little extra love and support while baking the bars together!

(These easy back-to-school snacks call for our classic Original Granola, the tried-and-true flavor that started it all) 

Back-to-school snack #3: A cereal you can feel good about 

A short trip down the breakfast cereal aisle leaves most parents feeling overwhelmed and disappointed. With hard-to-read and sickly sweet ingredient lists, it’s hard to find an option that doesn’t leave you feeling bad about the short lived energy high and the inevitable sugar crash you know is headed your kids’ way.

Luckily, granola is a healthier alternative that makes it so the beloved cereal breakfast or after-school bowl doesn’t have to go missing from our kids’ lives (or our own)!

A small bowl of granola, packed with a healthy dose of fiber to offset the sugars and good fats to support brain development, can be an easy swap that won’t leave the kiddos bouncing off the walls minutes later.

Want to mix it up? Opt for yogurt instead of milk, or simply snack on the granola as you would any regular trail mix. 

Little Red Wagon Granola: Wherever your snacking takes you

With this many options, there’s no doubt you’ll create dozens of easy back-to-school snacks with Little Red Wagon Granola, so make sure to pick some up today! 

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Little Red Wagon Granola: Hand Making the Best Granola Since 2004

best granola from little red wagon granola

We think it’s one of life’s simple pleasures to open a new bag of granola. The sweet blend of spices and nuts hits you first—making your mouth water and stomach grumble. The clusters bounce into the bowl and each crunchy, delicious bite is the best granola you’ve ever tasted. At Little Red Wagon Granola, we’ve been hand making these moments since 2004. 

We take making the best granola seriously 

At our company, we have serious fun. Making the best granola is a big deal to us and something that we take seriously from every oat to delivery route. But it’s also fun—something you can tell from our colorful bags to our creative flavors. And while there are a lot of granola clusters in the ring, we think these three reasons separate us from the rest: 

Made by hand, not machines

We like to think you can taste the difference in our handmade granola. Our baking team spreads each cluster from each bag by hand. By choosing to hand spread instead of relying on a machine, we can control the perfect cluster sizes for optimal granola-eating. 

On a mission for holistic health 

Life and granola are meant to be balanced. We’re on a mission for holistic health, which we think makes a difference between good and “the best” granola. If you read our past blogs, you know we’re all about healthy people, a healthy planet, and healthy food. We’re working toward these goals from our company culture and work-life balance to our sustainable packing and wholesome ingredients. 

Family values in every bite 

Finally, we think we have the best granola because you can taste our values. We started small at the Chapel Hill Farmer’s Market in North Carolina (some of you may remember us!) with a family-oriented husband and wife team that wanted to create and share delicious granola. We’ve gone through growth and new ownership, but we’re still family-owned and operated. More than this, we treat our customers like family. That’s because each of you is responsible for making our granola what it is.

Crafting the best granola since 2004 

At the end of the day, making the best granola means making it with heart. From hand spreading the clusters to focusing on balance and family values, we pour our values into each and every bag. 

 

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“Is Granola Good For You?” And Other Top Questions Our Team Answers

is granola good for you, granola in glass jar

When you think of granola, what comes to mind? Crunchy clusters? Salty nuts? Sweet add-ins? In between bites of these delicious clusters, you may wonder: “Is granola good for you?” The Little Red Wagon Granola team knows a thing or two about this balanced snack, so we’re answering this question and more! (Hint: it’s full of goodness). 

 

#1: Is granola good for you? 

We should outline our stance on this question first: we believe everything in life is about balance. So your answer to the question “is granola good for you?” probably depends on what type of granola you’re talking about. While we can’t speak for others, we can speak to our six delicious flavors and why we think granola is good for you: 

 

Good ingredients: A couple of months ago, we outlined the “healthy food” tier of our values. We use the highest quality ingredients in each bag of granola. Plus, they’re sustainably sourced and local when possible. And each cluster has a good-for-you mix of healthy fats, whole grains, and no artificial ingredients. 

 

Good snacking alternative: If your regular snacks include candy or chips, granola is a healthy snacking alternative. It’s versatile enough to be eaten with other healthy foods like plain Greek yogurt. But it’s delicious enough to eat on its own––plus, the healthy fats and protein keep you fuller, longer. 

 

Good for the soul: When you munch on a flavor like Cosmopolitan or Crunchy Monkey, it’s almost impossible to keep a smile off your face. 

 

#2: What’s in your granola? 

We admit this is related to “is granola good for you,” but we get this question a lot! While each ingredient list varies slightly by flavor, they all have a balanced mix of oats, brown sugar, nuts (like almonds or pecans), fruits (like raisins or bananas), whole wheat flour, butter, eggs, milk, cinnamon, salt, and baking soda. We can guarantee that our ingredients are easy to pronounce, sourced sustainably, and of the highest quality we can find. 

 

#3: Where can I find LRWG granola? 

If you’re on the East Coast or in the South, you can find our granola at your local Whole Foods or Fresh Market. (Check out our handy store finder here!). As we work to expand across the rest of the states, you can order granola right here in our online shop. 

 

#4: Favorite granola recipes? 

Our recipes will have you switching from “is it good for you” to “it’s SO good.” 

 

Oatmeal cranberry cookies with Cosmopolitan 

Easy baked oatmeal with Crunchy Monkey 

Red velvet overnight oats 

Green oatmeal raisin muffins 

Crunchy Monkey banana peanut butter mug cake

Blackberry-lemon granola cookie bars 

 

So, is granola good for you? We sure think so!  

Life’s too short not to eat what makes you happy. But we hope this helps you snack guilt-free! Little Red Wagon Granola is handcrafted with good-for-you ingredients and flavors in every bite! 

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Think You Know How to Eat Granola? Switch Things Up with These 3 Tips

how to eat granola, bowl with granola and yogurt

If you’ve been a long-time granola fan like us, you probably have a specific way you indulge in the crunchy treat. Are you a purist and only take your granola with cow’s milk? Or is yogurt and granola the only combination you’ll consider? At Little Red Wagon Granola, we love to mix up our snacking, so we’ve put together a “how to” eat granola with sweet tips from our team. 

I know how to eat granola, don’t I? 

It seems simple enough: pour granola into a bowl, top with milk or yogurt, enjoy. When it comes to how to eat granola, that’s about as classic as you can get. But once you add in the possibilities of dairy-free or plant-based milk or Icelandic versus Greek yogurt, even simple go-tos can become complicated. 

If you’re ready to try something new in your granola routine, the following options are some of our team’s favorites. 

Try it as a unique topping 

Granola is known for its crunch, which makes it a great topping. But instead of sprinkling it over yogurt, try adding those crunchy clusters to ice cream, frozen yogurt, pudding, custard, or even fruit puree. We’re partial to the Cosmopolitan flavor over a citrus sorbet. On a hot summer evening, there’s almost nothing more refreshing.  

Or as the crust to a cheesecake 

These days, tart and cheesecake recipes are all over social media––and we’ve seen some pretty inventive ones! Secretly, we’re crust fans so why not add our favorite snack in the mix? Instead of making an Oreo or graham cracker crust, throw some granola (our favorite is Original, but go crazy!) into a food processor, mix in butter, and pat down into a tart dish or springform pan. From there, the flavor combinations are endless. A blueberry vegan cheesecake with Lemon Drop crust? Perfect. Or what about a chocolate peanut butter tart with Crunchy Monkey crust? You’ll be the envy of the picnic.  

How about in a baked good?

With a few more ingredients and some imagination, you can transform granola into a baked good that will rival any bakery. The distinctive crunch in these clusters, with good-for-you nuts, makes them the perfect addition for baked favorites like granola cookie bars and baked oatmeal. Trust us, you may never go back to your milk-and-granola breakfast again after trying those. 

Our favorite “how to” eat granola? On its own! 

With all that said, you really can’t go wrong with snacking on our granola all by itself. We pride ourselves on unique and delicious flavors that will satisfy you on the go, on their own, or when you need to mix things up. Did our “how to eat granola” tips inspire you? Try all the flavors here!