Have your cereal and eat it too!

Grain Free and Sugar Free Cereal

I love breakfast foods and I am always am looking for different breakfast ideas.   I love eggs, but sometimes I want something different and a little sweet.  I have always loved cereal.  When I was a kid, I liked raisin brain and frosted shredded wheat.  As I got older, I switched to Chex, Cheerios, you know, the healthy stuff!  NOT!   I haven't kept cereal in the house for about 5 years because there was always something in it that would make me eat the whole box in a few days even if it was unsweetened!  Now it all makes sense!  It was the grains!  

This is a granola or a cereal.  You can snack on it during the day or have it for breakfast in the morning.  My husband says it taste better than granola.  He was excited about having it for breakfast this morning.  He says I should sell it... I think he really likes it ;-)


You don't have to use the same nuts.  Use what you like.  I actually meant to use walnuts, but realized after it was in the oven, that I omitted them.  Next time I will include walnuts, Brazil nuts and macadamia nuts.


I have been making small batches of ice cream (recipe to come) using only the egg yolk so this was a great way to use the egg whites I had been accumulating in the fridge.   The whites serve as the binder and holds the spices on.  Be sure to taste the granola before it goes into the oven.  Adjust the sweetness to your liking. 


All nuts should be unsalted and raw is preferable (not roasted).  Also when baking, keep the temperature low.  Flax seeds have a low smoking point (225 degrees) so anything higher will oxidize their oils. 

No Grain Granola/Cereal
(Inspired by Girl Gone Primal)


1 cup chopped pecans
1/2 cup sliced almonds
1 cup unsweetened coconut flakes (make sure it is unsweetened)
1/2 cup sunflower seeds
1/2 cup pumpkin seeds
1/4 cup flax seeds


2 egg whites
1/8 tsp stevia powder (or more to taste)
1 1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice (or just cinnamon)
1 1/2 tsp vanilla

Almonds, pecans, coconut, pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds, flax seeds

Fold in with beaten egg whites, stevia and spices. 

1. Beat egg whites until soft peaks form.  
2. Add stevia, pumpkin pie spice and vanilla. 
3. Add nuts to egg white mixture and mix well.  Taste for sweetness.
4. Line a jelly roll pan (cookie sheet) with parchment paper (not wax paper)
5. Spread granola over parchment paper.
6. Bake in a preheated oven just below 225 degrees.
7. Cook for 80 minutes, stirring it every 20 minutes (just set a timer).
8. Then you can just turn off oven and leave for 1 hour or longer to continue to dehydrate. 
9. Remove and allow to cool before placing in an air tight container.
10. Makes about 4 cups

Breakfast.  For the kiddos, you could sprinkle in a few raisins or dried cranberries.

Nutrition:

1/2 cup has about 5 carbs compared to regular "healthy" granola has at least 30-40 grams and no one ever eats just  1/2 cup but this stuff will fill you up!