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Recipes

Cranberry Orange Cosmopolitan Blondies

Happy New Year! We hope this joyous and relaxing holiday season has recharged you.  Every year brings new adventures and many possibilities and opportunities. As you conquer the year ahead, we encourage you to take time to prioritize cultivating joy in your day alongside accomplishing goals or tasks. 

Incorporating little things, like a warm cup of your favorite tea or a fun playlist, can bring life into the daily routine and make it a great year ahead! 

We, of course, love to bake and enjoy sharing our granola and recipes with you all. Our cranberry orange blondies are a great treat to share with family and friends. The orange and cranberry flavor combination is a match made in heaven.  This recipe can easily also convert into a breakfast blondie by cutting back on the sugar.  No matter the occasion you choose, we hope it brings a little joy to your day!

Ingredients

¾ cup melted butter

1 ¼ cup brown sugar

A pinch of salt

A pinch of cinnamon

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1 egg

1 ½ cup wheat or all purpose flour

½ cup dried cranberries

Zest from one orange

½ cup cosmopolitan granola crushed

¼ cup rolled oats

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F, lightly grease an 8-inch square baking pan with spray and line with parchment paper, both sides overhanging for easy release.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, combine melted butter, brown sugar, salt, cinnamon, vanilla, and egg.  Whisk by hand until blended.
  3. Fold in flour, cranberries, crushed granola, and orange zest. 
  4. Spread batter into the lined baking pan and sprinkle rolled oats on top of the batter.
  5. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until the top is golden brown. 
  6. Let cool completely, cut into squares, enjoy!
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News

Is Yogurt and Granola Healthy For Breakfast?

 

At the start of the New Year, healthy foods are a hot topic. And yogurt and granola is a traditional breakfast go-to. But you might be wondering: is yogurt and granola healthy for breakfast? When considering your options, pay attention to serving sizes, preference low-sugar options, and choose varieties of yogurt that are low in fat and high in protein. 

Is Yogurt and Granola Healthy? Here’s Why Serving Size Matters

Everything in moderation, the old saying goes, and the same is true about yogurt and granola. Even with a ‘healthy’ food, we can get too much of a good thing when it comes to portions. Starting the day out with six to eight ounces of high-protein yogurt, like Greek yogurt, paired with your favorite granola is an easy go-to. A nut-milk or soy-based yogurt is also a great substitute if you are lactose intolerant. Next, we turn to toppings!

High Fiber, Nutritious Oats Keep Your Gut Happy

Things like oatmeal and granola provide that signature contrast of fiber and crunch when it comes to choosing the perfect pairing for yogurt. Fiber helps to slow everything down in the body during digestion, preventing a blood sugar spike after eating. The whole-grain fiber from oats makes for a happy gut. The oats in granola help to move things along in the digestive tract and reduce inflammation. Fiber is also great for heart health, helping lower cholesterol when it’s part of a healthy diet.

So the next time you reach for your bag of granola, you’ll have a whole new appreciation for what this crunchy, snack-time favorite is doing for your health!

Source Your Probiotics and Protein From Yogurt

To kickstart the day, yogurt is a probiotic-packed protein source that also includes calcium and B vitamins. In a cup of Greek yogurt, there are 13 grams of protein which helps you stay full during the busy rush of the morning. When choosing yogurts, it’s easy to fall into the sugar trap of flavored varieties at the grocery store. Our advice is to stick to unflavored Greek yogurt and add some honey for a little natural sweetness. 

Is Yogurt and Granola Healthy For Breakfast? Yes, If You’re Watching Sugar Intake. 

The same goes for the quality of your granola. The American Heart Association sugar recommendation for men is to consume no more than 36 grams of sugar per day, and women to consume 24 grams or less. Note that this is only for added sugars, so not counting sugars that naturally occur in dry or fresh fruit (which is actually fructose).

Keeping your breakfast under 10 added grams of sugar is a good guideline to ensure you don’t spike your blood sugar too early in the day. 

Some types of granola can be high in sugar content, so we recommend something made with high-quality ingredients like our original granola! Two-thirds cup of our original granola contains 7 grams of sugar, which is just under the recommended threshold for a balanced breakfast. 

Enjoy Your Morning Crunch With Little Red Wagon Granola

For your next breakfast, you don’t need to ask “is yogurt and granola healthy?” because now you know it meets your expectations for a high-protein, low-sugar jumpstart to the day. Your morning scoop of yogurt contains all the vitamins, proteins, and probiotics to keep a healthy lifestyle fueled. Check out our delicious, small-batch granola flavors to shake up your morning breakfast bowl.

 

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Recipes

Peppermint Latte Brownies

 

The holiday season is synonymous with baking in our household. Our peppermint brownie recipe brings together familiar flavors and help usher in the holiday season. These brownies make a great treat to share with family or friends.

The end of the year offers a time of reflection for the year behind us and hopes and plans for the future. We are so happy for the opportunity to bring you our granola and look forward to sharing more with you in the year ahead. We hope this holiday season allows you to rest and spend time with family and friends. We wish you all a Happy New Year ahead!

Ingredients

11/2 sticks of butter (12 tablespoons) of butter at room temp.

1/1/2 cups light brown sugar

21/2 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon salt

1 tablespoon instant coffee

1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract (based on preference)

1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract

1/2 cup chocolate chips

3 eggs 

1 cup cocoa powder

1 cup whole wheat or all-purpose flour

1 cup crushed mocha granola

Instructions

  1. Start by creaming your room-temperature butter and sugar. Use a stand mixer with a paddle attachment or a handheld mixer. Beat until the butter/sugar mixture is light and fluffy. 
  2. Add in baking powder, salt, instant coffee, peppermint extract, vanilla extract, and mix until well incorporated.
  3. Melt chocolate in a microwave bowl. Heat for 30 seconds and stir. Repeat heating and stirring chocolate in 30-second intervals until chocolate is just melted.
  4. Using a rubber spatula, scrape in melted chocolate into batter mixture and mix until incorporated.
  5. Slowly add in 3 eggs in three additions separated by scraping the bowl.
  6. Add in cocoa powder and flour and mix until just combined.
  7. Lastly, add crushed granola and fold batter together using a rubber spatula. 
  8. Grease a 9/13 pan with butter and parchment paper and bake brownies at 350 F for 25 minutes or until the edges look baked through and the center is firmly set. A toothpick should come out clean from the edges of the pan and have a few moist crumbs in the center of the pan.
  9. Allow the brownies to cool to room temperature.
  10. Cut into squares and enjoy! 
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News

Not Your Average Granola Bowl: Take Your Breakfast To New Heights With These Superfoods

 

As the weather turns and your farmer’s market favorites disappear until next season, your morning breakfast routine might feel a bit lackluster. Craving more depth of flavor from your morning granola bowl? Switch it up with these easy superfood additions. Acai and other healthy, antioxidant-rich ingredients keep your immune system supercharged in a fun way. 

For a Granola Bowl With Flair, Try Cacao

Cacao. What’s not to love about this raw, unrefined version of chocolate that’s sure to give your morning a mineral-rich start? Cacao is the perfect ingredient to liven things up for your granola bowl if you like a hearty way to start the day off right. 

 We recommend you start with a few spoonfuls of your favorite yogurt and a scoop of Crunchy Monkey Granola with accents of a delicious mix of dried bananas, chocolate chips, pecans, and almonds. Then sprinkle in a teaspoon or more of unrefined cacao powder, a drizzle of honey, and voila: The perfect, warming, nutty granola bowl. 

For The Perfect Hint of Fruity Sweetness: The Acai Bowl

Acai berry is hard to describe if you’ve never had it before, but it’s truly delicious. It has tart notes of blackberry and even dark chocolate and is more bitter than sweet. Acai berry scores low on the glycemic index, which provides a stable morning start to your blood sugar. 

Mix a premade frozen acai pack in a blender with a scoop of your favorite protein powder (vanilla or chocolate pairs well with acai). Blend in a scoop of your favorite frozen berries or a frozen banana for thickness, add in a scoop of nut butter for even more power, and blend. Sprinkle our Original Granola over your acai granola bowl for that essential crunch, and go to town!

For The Daring To Be Different, Spirulina Is The Way To Go

Spirulina is a nutrition-dense form of algae packed with minerals like potassium, magnesium, iron, and B vitamins. You may know it for the vibrant aquamarine color it brings to any dish. Yes, like the kind in the ocean, but it’s safe to eat. Many vegetarians and vegans adore spirulina as a protein source. 

Start with a half to a full teaspoon of spirulina to add this inflammation fighter to your usual morning smoothie. Then, pour it out into a bowl. Add a few slices of fresh fruit and a sprinkle of seeds, top off with granola and be on your way. 

Stick With Granola As Your Mainstay For Every Breakfast Adventure

When you’re feeling tired of the same old combinations, a few new ingredients can put a spin on an old favorite.  A good granola is your trusty sidekick to wherever your palette may take you. Trust your gut and go with the foods you love, day after day, for fiber-packed, gut-friendly ingredients. Granola is easy, fuss-free, and pairs well with nearly any breakfast food. So go forth and conquer the day. We’ll be here, providing the same top-quality oats and an irresistible crunch, and that’s a good thing.

Categories
Recipes

Sweet Potato Waffles With Granola

 

Pumpkin is such a popular seasonal ingredient for baking that it’s easy to overlook sweet potatoes. Sweet potato waffles are a delicious way to kick off Thanksgiving breakfast or brunch on any fall day. Bake a few sweet potatoes you have on hand for Thanksgiving, or use canned sweet potatoes from the pantry.

Make this recipe with whole wheat flour to boost the fiber, or swap in all-purpose flour to keep picky eaters happy. Give everyone in your household a quick, hearty breakfast that sneaks in this full-flavored vegetable with sweet potato granola waffles.

Ingredients:

•1 large sweet potato baked (swap with canned if you don’t have on hand)
•3 eggs
•1 ½ cup milk (select based on your dietary preference soy, almond, coconut etc.)
•2 tablespoons melted butter
•3 tablespoons light brown sugar
•½ teaspoon salt
•1 teaspoon vanilla extract
•1/8 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
•1/8 teaspoon of cinnamon
•1 cup whole wheat flour (can swap with all-purpose flour)
•2 teaspoons baking powder
•Warm maple syrup for serving
•Cosmopolitan granola for serving

Instructions:

1. Blend sweet potato in a blender or food processor with eggs, milk, vanilla, butter and all spices until well incorporated.
2. Pour mixture into a bowl and add flour and baking powder. Mix until just combined.
3. Grease the waffle-maker and pour ¾ cup of batter, depending on the size of your waffle-maker.
4. Cook sweet potato waffles until golden brown.
5. Top with Cosmopolitan granola and maple syrup. Enjoy!

Categories
News

Easy Fall-Themed Snacks with Pumpkin Spice (and Everything Nice)

 

Fall is all about snacks chock-full of warm flavors like cinnamon, nutmeg, and the long-awaited favorite: pumpkin spice. With so many great foods to choose from, you can make some creative, fall-themed snacks! So whether you’re planning a spooky movie marathon or a harvest party for your friends, embrace the best that fall foods offer with these easy, delicious ideas.

Make a Harvest Snack Mix With Pumpkin Patch Granola

Nothing spells fall like Chex Mix. It’s a versatile savory or sweet treat your kids will love to eat by the handful. But instead of buying the premade grocery store seasoned mix, create your own with the bounty of the season’s flavors. Start with plain rice, corn, or cinnamon Chex, and add in white chocolate chips, mini pretzels, dried apples, and our favorite: Pumpkin Patch granola. Crunch your way through November with this fall-themed snack that’s sure to be a favorite!

For The Ultimate Fall Themed Snack: Apple Slices with Caramel Dip

This simple pleasure both adults and kids will love! A caramel apple without the chewy, sticky mess is a real crowd-pleaser. You can cut up several varieties. We suggest a tart or green variety to contrast the sweetness of the dipping caramel. Cut apples into wedges, serve fanned out on a plate with the dip in the middle, and watch it disappear before your eyes.  

Yogurt Parfait Cups With Big Apple Granola

Tangy, protein-packed Greek yogurt is an excellent way to fulfill your protein needs without even noticing it. And, of course, it can always be replaced with a nut or soy-based yogurt if you’re dairy free. These parfaits can be served by the tray full as an after-school snack or a great, quick, premade breakfast. 

Start with a layer of yogurt at the base of the parfait. Then, sprinkle in something crunchy like our Big Apple granola, roasted almonds, your seeds of choice ( we recommend roasted pumpkin seeds). Then layer on a seasonal fruit like persimmons, apples, or pears, finish off with a drizzle of honey, a dusting of cinnamon, and dip in your spoon. 

Sprinkle Some Granola On Your Favorite Pumpkin Loaf or Apple Muffins

Did we mention we love granola because it’s good on everything? Add some crunch to your family’s favorite pumpkin loaf recipe or apple muffins by using our Original granola as a topper. It’s a great way to add some crunch without all the extra sugar. Spread the love and share this snack with your family and friends. They’ll love it! 

Celebrate Fall Themed Snacks with Free Shipping 

Stock your fall pantry with Little Red Wagon Granola. If you live in the continental U.S., we offer free shipping on any of our granola bags, in 10 oz. or our new 4 lb. bags! Or, if you’re the type that loves a little of everything, order our variety pack and try every flavor of our small batch healthy granola. 

Categories
Recipes

Pumpkin Caramel Apple Nachos

 

It’s officially fall! We hope you are enjoying some beautiful fall foliage and tasting the bounty of the season’s crops. Whether you like carving pumpkins, scary movies, or fun Halloween costumes, make the most of October with a fun snack. Try our pumpkin caramel apple slices, arranged like nachos! They are a great blend of the season’s flavors and make a fun party snack or dessert.

Ingredients:

4 tablespoons butter
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon sea salt flakes
2/3 cup heavy cream
1/2 pumpkin puree
1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
1 cup granulated sugar
½ cup water
½ cup Pumpkin Patch granola
2-3 apples sliced

Instructions:

1. In a medium heat-safe bowl, place butter, vanilla, and sea salt. Set aside.
2. In a small pot, pour heavy cream and add pumpkin pie spice and pumpkin puree.
3. Heat on low, whisking slowly.
4. In a medium pot, add 1 cup sugar to 1/2 cup water and mix until well incorporated.
5. Warm the sugar mixture on medium heat until the sugar becomes golden brown.
6. Once sugar is a dark golden caramel shade, slowly add the warm heavy cream mixture.
7. This will instantly bubble up. Whisk in the heavy cream as you pour.
8. Cook on low, continuously stirring with a silicone spatula. The caramel will thicken with time.
9. After 5 minutes of additional low cooking, pour this mixture into your bowl with butter, vanilla, and sea salt.
10. Whisk together till combined. If there are any sugar lumps, strain out the lumps while the mixture is thin and hot, and then allow the sauce to cool.
11. Once the caramel is at room temperature, transfer it into a sealable container and refrigerate. Allow the sauce to cool in the fridge for a few hours to 24 hours.
12. When ready to serve, slice apples and fan them out onto a decorative board or plate.
13. Drizzle pumpkin caramel sauce and top with pumpkin granola.
14. Serve immediately and enjoy!

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News

What’s It Take To Make The Best Healthy Granola?

 

From a farmer’s market favorite to a national brand, Little Red Wagon Granola has a mission everyone can love: feeding people the best healthy granola. We still believe that small-batch granola tastes the best (and is the best for you)! Making the best healthy granola requires top-quality ingredients. From the warmth of cinnamon to the subtle crunch of almonds and pecans, our original flavors will keep you coming back for more. 

Handmade with Love In Small Batches

There’s just no replacement for homemade. You know this when you bite into our crunchy, fresh-baked granola. The oats have a crisp edge to them that is unmistakable, and the ingredients are sprinkled perfectly in every bite. We pay attention to detail, and our customers know to expect the best every time they pick up a bag.

If you’re a granola every morning type of person (or just love to share) try our new 4 lb bags for even more of a good thing.

The Best Healthy Granola Is Never Sugary Sweet 

At Little Red Wagon Granola, we would never dream of layering our beautifully crafted oats with low-quality sweeteners like high fructose corn syrup. And you won’t find any sugary clumps in our batches! We are thoughtful in our approach to healthy food. Our oats are flavored with real brown sugar for that deeper molasses flavor that adds contrast and depth of flavor. 

Nutrient-Dense and Packed With Fiber

The best healthy granola isn’t just tasty; it’s also good for you. Foods rich in fiber also keep you full and satisfied longer, not to mention the benefits for your gut health! Our fresh, preservative-free whole-grain oats have healthy fiber and nutrients in every bite. In addition, our oats are packed with beta-glucan, the fiber that stabilizes blood sugar and boosts immunity. Add monounsaturated fats from nuts like pecans and almonds to keep bad cholesterol levels at bay, and you’ve got a heart-healthy snack!

The Best Healthy Granola Is Little Red Wagon

When you’ve got a good thing going on, you share it! Our granola is passed around by the handful across picnic blankets and breakfast tables to friends and family. And we love sharing the best healthy granola varieties with you.

From seasonal flavors like Pumpkin Patch, and Big Apple to classic favorites like Crunchy Monkey or Original, try our variety pack in four, eight, or 12-pack options! 

Categories
Recipes

Cinnamon Swirl Banana Bread

We hope September has brought you cooler weather and you are getting to enjoy the beauty of fall!  I love to spend more time baking as the weather starts to cool down.  Banana bread is a favorite in our house, and our cinnamon swirl banana bread recipe will fill your home with wonderful cinnamon and maple aromas.  Try it on a beautiful fall day! 

Ingredients

Banana Bread Batter

  • 1 cup (2 sticks) butter, melted
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 cups whole wheat or all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 4 very ripe bananas 
  • 3 tablespoons maple syrup
  • 1 pinch salt
  • 1 cup Crunchy Monkey granola 

Cinnamon swirl

  • 2 tablespoons maple syrup
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons melted butter
  • 3 tablespoons cinnamon

yield: 1 9×5 loaf pan or 14 mini loaves.

Instructions:

  1. In a medium bowl, melt butter.
  2. Once melted add sugar, cinnamon, 3 tablespoons maple syrup, and mix until combined.
  3. Add in ripe bananas, vanilla, salt, baking soda, and eggs.
  4. Mash bananas into wet mixture and mix until well combined.  Use a hand mixer if needed.
  5. Add in the flour and mix only until a batter forms.
  6. Add in granola last as a garnish. Use your hands to break up bigger chunks as needed.
  7. Spray your loaf pan with canola oil or use melted butter. 
  8. Add your batter halfway up the pan and then swirl in the cinnamon swirl mixture with a toothpick or plastic straw to ensure every bite in the center will get some.
  9. Add in the rest of your batter and swirl the top with more cinnamon swirl batter. 
  10. Bake at 350°F for 15-20 minutes in a standard 9×5 loaf pan. For mini loaves or mini muffins, bake for 10-15 minutes. Bake until a toothpick comes out clean in the center of the loaf. 

Enjoy a slice of your cinnamon swirl banana bread with homemade whip cream on top and a warm drink of choice!

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News

Practical Uses For What To Do With Leftover Granola

If you’re a granola lover, then you already know the dilemma: what to do with those last few bites of sweet and crunchy granola that always seem to be left at the bottom of the bag? It’s not enough to be a bowlful or even a filling snack. But you’d never dream of tossing it out! Well, you’re in luck. This month we’re taking a creative look at what to do with leftover granola. 

Mini Fruit Crumble With Stewed Apples And Leftover Granola Recipe

This treat couldn’t be easier and it’s perfect for fall! Just dice one or two apples (or a cup of your favorite fruit), transfer to a bowl, and add one to two tablespoons of butter, half a teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice, and a bit of lemon zest. 

Mix ingredients until the apples are well coated, then place them on the stove in a small pot. Cover and heat on medium for fifteen to twenty minutes, stirring occasionally. 

As the mixture cooks, grab your granola (we love our original granola for this recipe) and chop it up in a food processor, making it extra crumbly. Sprinkle on top of your stewed apples, and enjoy! 

Stone Fruit Smoothie Bowl Topped With Leftover Granola

Power up your morning with this nutrient-dense leftover granola recipe: blend two cups of frozen cherries with half a banana, one cup of coconut water or milk, and a half cup of frozen peaches. 

Once the mixture is smooth, pour it into a bowl. Sprinkle it with chia or flax seeds and some Crunchy Monkey Granola. 

Not only will your body appreciate the anti-inflammatory benefits of the cherries and healthy fats from the seeds, but your tastebuds will love the indulgence of Crunchy Monkey’s chocolate chips!

Buttery Baked Sweet Potato And Leftover Granola Recipe

Look no further if you want a filling snack that packs a punch in the health and comfort department! 

Take a baked sweet potato and mash the insides to a creamy consistency. Add a little coconut oil and a pinch of Maldon salt and turmeric. Mix these with the mash before drizzling a tablespoon of maple syrup over it. 

Then top it with those last few handfuls of our nutty and citrusy Cosmopolitan granola for some crunch and diversity. 

Shop Little Red Wagon Granola To Find More Flavors 

Hungry yet? Us too! Check our online store to see what other granola varieties are available and create your own leftover granola recipes. You can also find where Little Red Wagon Granola is sold near you to pick up a bag (or five).