Whether for breakfast or as a snack, this gluten-free, vegan, and refined sugar-free granola will have your taste buds singing! A decadent combination of strawberry, coffee, and chocolate, this Strawberry Mocha Granola will be love at first bite!
Say hello to a wonderful granola recipe today! (This is one of two you will be seeing this week!). However, I am going to talk about not just the granola, but my true kitchen tool love, my granola paddle! I also have to put a disclaimer here and tell you that this is actually the paddle I got from my rice cooker years ago! I only use it for granola now…weird, I know.
Now, this paddle is my pride and joy. I love it and it’s just the perfect granola tool! I would never think of using some other “spatula” for granola-making. It just wouldn’t work! I might be biased (okay, I am) but if you want to master the art of granola-making you must use a think plastic rice cooker paddle. If it’s gentle enough for fluffing rice, than it is gentle enough for making fabulous granola!
You think I’m joking, but I’m not. This little thing is my best friend!
I have used it every time I’ve made granola (which is a lot). From the first to many others. With more you haven’t even seen or drempt of yet!
From mixing, stirring, flipping, and patting down, this paddle knows how to make the perfect granola! The one method in my granola-making that I have switched is going from foil to parchment to line the pan. I used to use foil greasing with a bit of oil, but now I use parchment and nothing sticks and I think it just works better!
But I have to admit, it isn’t just the paddle that makes the granola. It is the art of creativity, love, and compassion for the process. You need to give your granola-making your all! Be super unique, creative, gentle, and love every moment of it! I zen out when I make granola. There is something of peaceful about throwing all those ingredients into a huge mixing bowl, swirling it around, and then simply spreading it on a pan. The smell of it baking in the oven is always unreal and makes my mouth water!
I bet you’re wondering about the history of granola now, huh? Well I have it right here! It start with a man named Sylvester Graham in the early 1800s, who was a minister and advocated vegetarianism. His diet centered around whole grain wheat flour (which would be called Graham flour). He developed the crackers. Then came Dr. James Jackson in 1863, who also advocated a healthy diet and developed “Granula”, which was the flour but baked into sheets and then broken in to smaller snacking pieces. At this same time, Dr. John Harvey Kellogg was developing a diet for his patients and made a breakfast cereal of whole grains, ground up, and decided to call it “Granola” because he was sued by Jackson for using the name “Granula” in the beginning!
Kellogg lost interest in cereal for awhile (until Corn Flakes in 1902), so he kinda faded into the background. However, Charles Post was a patient of Kelloggs for almost a year. He left though and sought treatment elsewhere where he went on to open his own health retreat. He used Dr. Jackson’s basic recipe of “Granula” and developed Grape Nuts, which became a huge success.
So, Kellogg, Post, and the new company Quaker Oats, continue busting out cereals for the mainstream, but become attacked in the mid-20th century due to the sugar content and unhealthy marketing to kiddos. So, during the health food/hippe-craze of the 1960s, granola was revived as a healthy whole grain staple full of oats, whole grains, nuts, and dried fruits. All natural, crispy, and not-so sugar laden! The end 😉
Strawberry Mocha Granola
Ingredients: (makes about 5 cups)
+ 1 1/2 Cup Gluten-Free Rolled Oats
+ 1 1/2 Cup Crispy Brown Rice Cereal
+ 1/4 Cup Dry Buckwheat
+ 1/2 Cup Almond Pulp (crumbled, used from homemade milk)
+ 1 Cup (28g) Freeze-Dried Strawberries
+ 1/2 Cup Strawberry Puree
+ 1 TB Instant Espresso
+ 2 TB Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
+ 1 TB Cocoa Stevia Syrup
+ 1/2 Tsp Coffee Extract
Directions:
+ Preheat the oven to 325ºF.
+ In a large mixing bowl, combine the first 5 ingredients and give it a mix. Then add the rest of the ingredients and mix again until all is coated evenly.
+ On a baking pan lined with parchment paper, spread the granola out evenly, patting it down into a nice layer.
+ Bake in the oven for 30 minutes, stirring every 10.
+ Remove and let cool completely before storing in an airtight jar.
This granola would have been a hit with the hippes 😉 I know it was a hit with me! All the good things of coffee, chocolate, whole grains, nuts (pulp!), and fruity goodness!
So tell me:
+ Do you have a special tool you use when making one of your favorite recipes?
+ Have you ever had Grape Nuts? No, I have not and now I will never be able too, hahaha!
*Recipe linking up for the week! Allergy Free Wednesdays, #RecipeFridays, #RecipeOfTheWeek, #StrangeButGood, Gluten-Free Wednesdays, Real Food Friday, Gluten-Free Fridays, Tasty Tuesdays, Savoring Saturdays, Healthy Vegan Fridays, Real Food Recipe Roundup, Tasty Tuesdays, Meatless Mondays, Lena’s Tasty Tuesdays!*
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Arman @ thebigmansworld says
Sent this for my sister to make tomorrow 😉
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
If she does…..I need picture documentation 😉
Stacey Guilliatt says
Looks and sounds absolutely delicious! #tastytuesdays
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Thank you!
Sherry says
This sounds like a great recipe. Thanks for linking up to Funtastic Friday. Hope to see you again this week.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Thank you!
CJ Huang says
I’m liking your hint about the rice cooker paddle! Plus, how can I turn down the strawberry mocha flavor combo? Thanks for stopping by and sharing this recipe with us – you’re featured this week on Five Friday Finds! I’m looking forward to what you share this week. 🙂
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Thanks friend! Sometimes the weird kitchen tools are the greatest things!
Raia says
Strawberries in granola is seriously one of my favorite combos. Thanks so much for sharing this with us at Savoring Saturdays, Rebecca! I’m going to feature it at this weekend’s party. 😉 Can’t wait to see what you share!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Thank you so much Raia! It is a total granola winner!
vegetarianmamma (Cindy) says
Looks great! And the information about granola was quite interesting! Thanks for linking up, I can’t wait to see what you post next time!!
-Cindy
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Haha, thanks Cindy!
Heather May says
Seriously great recipe! I love making granola but my kids seem to love when I make it too-they eat it all! I am definitely going to try this one-chocolate & strawberries – YUM! Thanks for sharing!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
You’re going to have to hide this one from them then 😉 Hahaha!
Deborah Davis says
Hi Rebecca,
This looks so good, it could become our new favorite breakfast! It’s absolutely perfect for me and my family! Thank you so much for sharing your healthy and delicious strawberry mocha granola recipe with us at the Healthy, Happy, Green and Natural Party Blog Hop. I’m pinning and sharing!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Thank you Deb!
Honest mum says
The perfect start to the day! Thanks for linking up to #tastytuesdays x
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Thanks friend!
Marla says
Hi Rebecca,
Thanks for the interesting information which wasn’t fully aware of. Great recipe too. What a healthy delicious snack this would be for all ages. Thanks for sharing on Real Food Fridays. Pin & twitted.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Thank you Marla!
Kyra @ Vie De La Vegan says
I love the mini-history lesson about the origins of granola!! Very interesting 🙂 your granola sounds divine – the mixture of strawberries and coffee sounds delicious, will have to try this out!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Haha, thank you Kyra! I’m glad you liked it 😉
Carole says
This looks and sounds delicious! Stopping by from Awesome Life Fridays and pinning to Pinterest!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Thank you!
Nicole Neverman says
This granola sounds really lovely!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Thanks!
Erica @ Coming Up Roses says
OK, how delicious does this look?!?! So. Delicious. And it’s healthy…ughhhh my favorite!
cominguprosestheblog.com
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Hahaha! Yes! Thank you Erica!
Brandi Clevinger says
I enjoy making my own granola, but my family enjoys eating my granola even more! I can’t wait to try this new recipe!
Thanks for sharing at Inspire Me Mondays!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
O, everything about granola is just a wonderful experience! Haha! Thank you Brandi!
genie says
I love to make my own granola. Will have to try your recipe. Love buckwheat.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Thank you Genie!
Laura @MotherWouldKnow says
eI love making my own granola but I’ve never added dried strawberries or coffee – both of which intrigue me as ingredients. I’ll ahve to try them.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Awesome! I hope you do!
Audrey @ Unconventional Baker says
Rebecca, you never stop to amaze me with all these strawberry recipes of yours 🙂 — strawberries, chocolate, AND coffee in granola? Amazing!
I had a good laugh about the spatula too — before reading, at a glance I was wondering what a rice cooker paddle had anything to do with granola. Well, now I know 🙂
I don’t have a favorite kitchen tool {I have so many and I love them all}, but I do have a favorite fork. It’s all bent and gnarly and I absolutely love it 🙂 It’s in most of my dessert photos too {to the chagrin of some of my friends 😉 } — now that I mentioned it, I’m sure you’ll notice it 🙂 . I also pretty much have a favorite of every utensil and dish I use: I have a special breakfast bowl, special dessert plate, special fork, special spoon, etc. I get a tad sad if I ever have to eat using something else. Pretty dishes and servingware make me happy 🙂
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Haha, you are such a sweetheart Audrey 🙂
I am so wish you! I jave speical utensils amd dishes I will only use too! Don’t get me started on my plastic apoon I ise for breakfast that I kept from the Whole Foods hot bar, hahahahaha! 😉
EA-The Spicy RD says
Great granola recipes and loved learning about the history of granola too! I’ve been meaning to make up a batch of granola for awhile now. Glad I waited so I can make this recipe. I mean, how can you go wrong with strawberries, chocolate, and coffee? You can’t! 🙂
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
That’s what I thought 😉 Haha, and get baking!!!!
Rachel E says
Ooh! Looks yummy! Never thought of adding yummy flavors like this to my granola!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Well then you must!
Shashi RunninSrilankan says
I don’t think I could resist granola laced with strawberries, coffee and cocoa!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Girl, I couldn’t either 😉
Annie @ Annie's Noms says
Wow, I adore granola and have never thought of this combination, but I don’t know why because strawberry and coffee are 2 of my favourite things!! Love this recipe 🙂
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Thank you Annie! They are 2 great flavors!
Kelly says
Loved the granola history! This must smell amazing when it’s cooking!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
It sure does!
Christie says
I have that paddle. I need to make granola with it now. I am a total food history geek, but didn’t know about the history of granola. Loved reading about it.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Haha! I am obsessed with food history now! It is so enriching 😉
rachel says
Oh my! This looks DELICIOUS!! I will totally have to make this… thank you for sharing! Yum!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Thanks Rachel!
Pam @ Hodge Podge Moments says
I love the little mini history lesson thrown into the middle of this post! The granola sounds yummy too – though I’m not a big coffee fan so I’m not sure I would like it.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Haha, there is no overpowering coffee flavor here! There are too many other great flavors bursting!
eat good 4 life says
I love granola. So awesome with strawberry puree, I have never thought about that!!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
I always use fruit puree to sweeten my granolas!
Sarah says
This looks so delicious and healthy thanks for sharing.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Thanks!
Sonali- The Foodie Physician says
You’ve gathered up some of my favorite ingredients and combined them into one amazing granola. All I have to say is Thank You!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Haha, you are so welcome 😛 My pleasure!
Melanie says
This sounds and looks delicious! You are great at taking pics of the food you make!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Haha, thank you so much Melanie! That means a lot! XOXO
Emily says
Ooh… That looks really yummy. Homemade granola is so fun to make and so versatile with all the different combos you can make.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Yes! That’s why I love it so much!
Dr. Jennifer Weinberg, MD, MPH, MBE says
This looks great! I am always looking for new flavor combinations and can’t wait to try this one. Thanks!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Thank you Jennifer!
Christine @ Love, Life, Surf says
I love granola but haven’t made it at home in so long! Thanks for the reminder and this looks delicious. I would never have thought of using my rice cooker spatula. Genius!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Get baking girl! Your family will love it 😉 XOXO
pam (Sidewalk Shoes) says
Nothing beats homemade granola!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Got that right!
Emily @SinfulNutrition says
What a unique flavor combo! And if it has some form of coffee in it, I am most likely going to love it.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Hahaha! Same here Emily 😉
Sarah says
I’m sure this would be a love at first bite for me as well! I often make mocha or coffee granola’s but haven’t made one with strawberries or with almond milk pulp, both sound interesting to me. I can’t wait to try it!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Then you know what your next granola assignment is 😉
Rachel says
YUM!!!!!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
😉
Sandra Laflamme says
oooh, this one looks good Rebecca. I adore granola and I bet the espresso and strawberries make a fantastic combo!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
It is a winning combo for sure!
Annmarie says
YUMMY! I am definitely going to make this soon!!!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Yay! I hope you do 😉
Larissa says
Yum! The mocha is a nice touch.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Totally is 😉
heather @french press says
I love making granola, but ours are usually pretty basic this strawberry mocha sounds out of this world delicious!!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Go crazy with your granola making!
jules says
A little coffee IN your granola – brilliant! And I use parchment when making my granola, too. I had used foil and had sticking problems so I switched. Wonder why it took us so long to figure that out!? LOL!
~jules
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Hahaha! O the wonders for parchment 😛
A bowl of this with a mug of coffee….perfect start to the day!
Angela @ Happy Fit Mama says
I have a similar tool. I call it a spoon-natula. It’s fabulous for making granola and anything else that requires a combo. Love the recipe. Yum!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Hahahaha! I love that!
KC the Kitchen Chopper says
What a yummy combo for a hearty breakfast.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Totally!
RFC says
Awesome, I have never made my own granola! There is a granola maker (True North Granola) in the same building as my gym, and it drives me crazy when they are baking because it smells SO GOOD!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
You need to gey granola making!
I would live at your gym! My 2 loves….fitness and granola 😉
Colorado Gal says
This looks so good! I’m admittedly a hippy so granola is right up my alley 🙂 It comes on all of our backpacking trips!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Woohoo! That’s what I like to hear 😉
GiselleR @ Diary of an ExSloth says
Best history lesson of my life haha
Also, strawberry + mocha = genius flavour combo 😀
Pinning!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Hahaha! I thought it was fun learning too 😉
And yes! XOXO
Melanie @ Nutritious Eats says
Love this recipe. Homemade granola is sooooo good. I need to find the time to make a giant batch!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
That’s what weekend mornings are for 😉
Ana Valentin says
I am so excited for summer to give all these recipes a go! How long would this granola typically last before spoiling? It sounds absolutely delicious and is truly a mix of all the finer things in life (at least mine haha) Much love!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
You don’t need the summer! I use frozen strawberries for my puree 😛 Haha!
2-3 months if it is sealed correctly!
Deborah @ Confessions of a Mother Runner says
I can’t believe I’ve never made my own granola before! Yum thanks for the inspiration. Glad to have you join the link up today!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
WHAT!? You just made me cry! Get at it girl! ASAP!
Linda @ Veganosity says
I love the strawberry mocha combo! Very creative and it sounds delicious. Thanks for the history of the mega cereal companies, very cool. I wonder what the founders of those corporations would think of the products they sell today? Pinned!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
I’m pretty sure the “Hippie” ones would be disgusted but the processing! Hahahaha!
Michele @ paleorunningmomma says
Really want to try this, it looks so delicious! Clicked over to the cocoa stevia syrup and looks so interesting, haven’t seen anything like that.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
NuNaturals is the best! Seriously..chocolate syrup…that is sugar and calorie free?! Crazy cool!
Tina muir says
I never used to be a fan of coffee flavored anything, but I think I am now starting to change that opinion, and combining it with strawberry is definitely a good way to go! especially with granola, I LOVE it!! Thanks so much for linking up with us today for meatless monday 🙂
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Coffee flavored EVERYTHING! I just love its deep robustness, haha! XOXO
AJ @ NutriFitMama says
I have never liked Grape Nuts actually lol! This recipes looks SO good- granola with strawberry puree and chocolate?! YES!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Haha!
Thanks AJ! It’s like chocolate covered strawberries 😉
jess meddows says
That’s such a cool background story to granola. 😀 My husband loves the stuff, I really should try out your recipe and make it for him rather than getting it from the supermarket.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Valentine’s Day present! 😉
Natalie @ Feasting on Fruit says
You always come up with the most inventive granola flavor combos…it’s like your mind just thinks in granola! For some reason Granula kind of sounds like a perfect villain name to me. Count Granula!! Bwahahaha! 😀 LOL
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Wait till you see all the other flavors I have yet to post 😉 I am always thinking of granola combos!
Hahahahahhahaha! Granula 😉 Now I am always going to think of you that way!
Joy @ Joy Love Food says
This sounds wonderful! I love granola for breakfast.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Same here 😉
Amanda Paa says
using the rice paddle cooker for granola making – genius! this gluten-free granola looks so good, love the addition of mocha.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Haha, right!? The little things 😉
I love the hit of coffee and chocolate together!
Farrah says
Ah…you know I’m all about that granola! 😛 My mission is to finish my entire collection by the end of March so that I can finally attempt to start making my own! This looks delicious, and since I’m super-Asian, I have a whole bunch of rice cooker paddles hanging out in my apartment! <3
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
I have a bunch of “pre-made” that I never open because…well…I like making my own, hahaha!
Omg! Yay for rice cooker paddles!
Deanna Segrave-Daly says
I never liked GrapeNuts when I was a kid (surprise) but fell in love with them as I got older. They are so so good heated up in the microwave – now I have a hankering for them…. This granola sounds divine!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Haha really/ Heating them up? Interesting 😉
Carla says
((uh oh))
I was MADE of the GRAPENUTS growing up!!!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Hahaha, they seem like your thing 😉