In it for the Long Run

wellness | intuition | curiosity

Orange Ginger Granola

by

The blend of tart cranberries, spicy ginger and zesty orange peel in this Orange Ginger Granola is the ultimate morning treat that will wake all your senses.

Orange Ginger Granola

Dear Granola,

Why u so good, tho?

Signed,

Georgie

No but really. What is it about the combination of oats, nuts, seeds, fruits and coconut that is so damn satisfying? When I truly understand that I think I’ll finally reach some sort of divine enlightenment. Until then, I’ll just accept my mere mortal status and continue to stuff my face with granola.

It’s funny, I think when it comes to foods I really love I either over do it and get sick of them, or I over do it and crave them even more. Almond butter and granola are definitely in the latter category. I suppose there could be worse things to constantly crave, but even in with healthy foods, it’s important to be mindful of how much and why you’re consuming them.

Orange Ginger Granola Orange Ginger Granola

Personally, I struggle consistently with late night snack cravings and granola is usually on the top of that list. However, one of my favorite tactics to help ease these cravings is reminding myself that it’s not off limits, but if I wait until tomorrow, it will be even MORE enjoyable.

A fascinating section of “Better Than Before” by Gretchen Rubin* (yes, I am a borderline fan girl of her work) talks about different distinctions when it comes to habit formation. When it comes to regulating certain habits, she argues that people are either a moderator or abstainer. Meaning you either respond well to having just a little of something you crave or not having it at all. I think I fall into the moderator category however I sometimes have to “take breaks” from certain foods if I feel like I’ve over done it.

I’ve taken breaks from pasta, cheese, avocado, yogurt, granola, nut butter at some point or another just to make sure our “relationship” stayed healthy in the long run. All delicious parts of a healthy diet, but just like that one friend, sometimes a break is what you need. Because yup, as annoying as it is, you can definitely have too much of a good thing. However, for now at least, me and granola are still chillin’. I can enjoy it at breakfast then put it away.

Another lovely thing about this granola recipe is it’s a lot lighter. It has less sugar and oil than most granola recipes without sacrificing that lovely crunch.

[Tweet “This sweet, zesty orange ginger granola is the perfect morning pick me up”]

Orange Ginger Granola

Orange Ginger Granola

Orange Ginger Granola
Recipe Type: Breakfast
Cuisine: American
Author: Georgie
Prep time:
Cook time:
Total time:
Serves: 20
The blend of tart cranberries, spicy ginger and zesty orange peel in this Orange Ginger Granola is the ultimate morning treat that will wake all your senses.
Ingredients
  • Dry ingredients:
  • 2 Cups of Mixed Roasted Nuts
  • 3 Cups of Rolled Oats
  • 1/3 Cup of Crystalized Ginger Chopped
  • 1 Cup of Pepitas (Shelled Pumpkin Seeds)
  • 1 Cup of Unsweetened Coconut
  • 1 1/2 Teaspoon of Powdered Ginger
  • 1 Tablespoon of Orange Zest
  • 1 Cup of Craisins
  • Wet Ingredients:
  • 1/3 Cup of Melted Coconut Oil
  • 1/3 Cup of Maple Syrup or Honey
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 350ºF
  2. In a large bowl combine all dry ingredients: (nuts, oats, crystalized ginger, pepitas, coconut, powdered ginger, orange zest and craisins)
  3. In a seperate medium size bowl mix together melted coconut oil and maple syrup and stir well until combined
  4. Pour liquid mixture into try mixture until dry ingredients are coated
  5. Pour granola onto a lined or greased baking tray and bake for 20 minutes
  6. Take granola out oven, stir with a spatula then bake for another 20 minutes or until golden brown.
  7. Allow to fully cool before storing in an airtight container
  8. Stays fresh for 3 weeks

Orange Ginger Granola

 

Looking for more granola recipes?

Cinnamon Spice Granola

Cinnamon Spice Granola // There's nothing better than homemade granola. This simple Cinnamon Spice Granola recipe makes the perfect breakfast treat - init4thelongrun.com

Extra Crunchy Granola

Extra Crunchy Super Seed Granola from init4thelongrun.com

Grain-free Granola

grain free granola

*This post contains affiliate links, if you purchase an item using this link I will receive a small percentage.

Your Turn

  • What’s your favorite breakfast lately (I need you’re help, trying to break out of my routine)?
  • Do you have any foods that you crave the more you eat ’em?
3

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. As you know I’m not the biggest fan of granola, but I seriously think I would like this. Mixed with orange, that sounds like an epic flavor combo! Also I would like to dub you Queen Granola

  3. Can we officially call you the Queen of Granola??? AMAZING! Sometimes I feel like when I get a taste of my nut butter with breakfast, that I could go through the whole jar…HAHA! The more I eat it the more I love it…It is the BEST! XOXO

  4. Granola is something that I can’t stop eating either, it’s just so addicting. I have to contain myself and make sure I don’t make it too often or things get ugly lol. I’ve tried the combo of orange and ginger in kombucha and it was delicious! I can only imagine this combo in granola, yum!

  5. MMMM yup, I tend to overdo it with certain foods and then I have to take a break as well. ….which is why my breakfasts are always so different because I’ve found that I seriously cannot eat the same thing every day (anymore). Love the recipeeeeeeee–orange zest<3

  7. this looks so light and refreshing! i have recently started buying crystallized ginger and i’m obsessed with it!
    and im pretty boring with my breakfasts, protein smoothie every morning w peanut butter and banana

  8. I LOVE granola it is the best. I probably love it too much, as it disappears in seconds in my house. Can’t wait to try this one, Ginger is my fave! My other fave bfast is oatmeal — you can flavor it in SO many different ways!

  9. I LOVE granola it is the best. I probably love it too much, as it disappears in seconds in my house. Can’t wait to try this one, Ginger is my fave! My other fave bfast is oatmeal — you can flavor it in SO many different ways!

  11. When I was in the 7th grade, I went through a month where I ate granola (literally) for breakfast, morning snack, lunch, afternoon snack, and dessert. It was bad. i burnt myself out on it so quick it was kind of hilarious. This is just the type of granola that is going to reinstate that obsession! SO GOOD.

  12. I’m loving the tangy flavors here! I actually don’t buy granola because I know I will go overboard…oops. I love making some for my boyfriend though, and then I have to swipe some handfuls. I’m loving this recipe so I might have to make an exception to my no-granola-in-the-apartment rule.

  14. I’m not a huge granola eater myself, but my boyfriend loves it and Im sure he would binge eat this! Can’t wait to make it for him!

  15. Gahhh I can’t get over what I can only assume is a BOSS flavor combo going on here with these oats.
    I like to rotate my breakfasts mainly because I just want it all… But I know what you mean about overdoing it! Obvi I have to break a little with granola, because it is just TOO addicting. And even though I like to think I’ve got decent willpower, granola will break me.

  19. Ginger is my all time favorite flavor. This paired with zesty orange just sounds divine in the morning. Pinned and making this weekend 🙂

  21. I adore granola! I usually prefer banana, chocolate, peanut butter flavors, but this would be a great way to branch out. The photos are gorgeous as always, and this would be great with some Greek yogurt.

  22. Ginger in my granola! Pretty cool idea! I need to find other ways to get ginger into my diet because of all of its amazing health benefits. I would have never thought of granola! Looks oh so yummy to me!