This recipe is one of my favorite meal prep recipes. Why? Well for starters it is absolutely delicious. The blend of the sweetness and spices. Plus the way the walnuts bake, not to mention the delicious freeze dried strawberries that truly take it over the top. However, the big winner reason for me, is the fact that I make it for meal prep one weekend and it lasts our family 2 weeks. Not because we don’t enjoy it…. because we LOVE It, it makes a big batch so you don’t have to meal prep as often… win win win! This High Protein Strawberry Walnut Granola is going to be a family favorite of yours I am SURE of it.
What Ingredients Do I Need For High Protein Strawberry Walnut Granola
Well the one ingredient you most DEFINITELY need is Kodiak Cake High Protein Oats (Classic Rolled Oats). Why? They are not only delicious but they have TRIPLE the amount of protein in 1/2 cup oats than the regular leading brands of classic rolled oats. Kodiak Cake’s High Protein Oats has 10 grams of protein per serving, whereas the other brands have only 3 grams. These take a healthy classic rolled oats and takes it up a notch! This High Protein Strawberry Walnut Granola is exactly the protein kick you need in the A.M!
Here is a link to where you can by Kodiak Cake High Protein Oats, or you can also buy at Target and/or grocery stores like Schnucks! When you order online to stock up on your favorites, make sure to use ALAINA15 to get your awesome self a discount!
-4 cups Kodiak Cake High Protein Oats
-1 cup shredded coconut
-1 1/2 cup raw walnuts
-½ cup sliced almonds
-1 tbl cinnamon
-1 1/2 tsp Pink Himalayan salt or ½ tsp kosher salt
-1/4 cup coconut sugar
-1/4 cup melted butter
-1/2 cup honey
-1/2 cup maple syrup
-1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
-1/2 tsp almond extract
-2 cup freeze dried strawberries
Why High Protein Granola?
Your body needs protein to make sure it is working and functioning the way that it should. The cells in your body all contain protein. Long story short is that you need to ingest protein in your diet in order to help your body repair and build cells. Therefore protein is SO important for our overall health and development. That is why I am so excited about Kodiak Cake Protein Oats, because this allows our granola to be PACKED with good for you protein to start our day and keep us healthy and strong!
5 Reasons Why You Need Protein in Your Diet
- Protein helps build muscle and repair cells
- It helps reduce appetite & hunger levels. That always hungry feeling after eating— that is because you aren’t consuming enough protein in that meal!
- Protein boosts metabolism and burns more fat. How? Your body burns more calories digesting protein than carbs or fats
- Your Hair, Nails & Skin will thank you! They will? Oh for sure, all those things are…. made of proteins!
- Important in regulating your body and helps regulate your hormones
What happens to your body when you don’t get enough protein?
When your body does not get enough protein your metabolism starts to slow down, you cells don’t get enough oxygen and so you become extra tired.
Getting sick a lot can actually be a sign of not having enough protein in your diet. Why? because protein helps absorb and digest nutrients that keep you healthy. Other signs of protein deficiency can be swelling, getting hungry faster, and even mood changes.
Women should try to eat about 46 grams of protein a day and men should try to eat about 56 grams.
So now do I have you convinced you need High Protein Strawberry Walnut Granola in your life? Good! Let’s get to making!
How to Make High Protein Strawberry Walnut Granola
Preheat the oven to 300 degrees.
-Add all the dry ingredients together in one bowl EXCEPT the freeze dried strawberries and set aside
– Melt ¼ cup of butter in a microwave safe bowl. Then add in syrup, honey, vanilla & almond extract. Whisk together all the wet ingredients until fully incorporated.
-Add the wet ingredients to the dry and mix it together thoroughly so the oats are well covered. Then spread the mixture evenly onto a silpat or baking sheet with wax paper. Put in the oven at 300 degrees for 35 to 40 minutes.
– Check on it at minute 20 to move it around and make sure it doesn’t burn. Then leave in for another 20 minutes depending how your oven is. You can tell it is done if the color all around is golden brown! I can’t stress enough to keep an eye on it.
-To check for the crunch and if it is nice and gold brown. Take a bit out of the oven, let cool for 2 minutes. If it is crunchy you are good to go!
-After it is done, let it cool fully until you put it into the container. Letting it cool that way, makes the perfect crunch! Now add the freeze dried strawberries and toss.
-Store in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks or freeze portions if you’d like
Other High Protein HGHF Recipes You Need
Easy Eggless Ham & Veggie Breakfast Burrito
Gluten Free Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets
The Best Edamame Hummus
Healthy and Easy Pumpkin Chili
The Best and Easiest Pumpkin Donuts
Questions When Making High Protein Strawberry Walnut Granola
My freeze dried strawberries burned… what did I do wrong?
You do not bake the freeze dried strawberries, so they should never be in the heat to burn. You add them in as the VERY LAST step 🙂
Do I have to use both honey and maple syrup when making High Protein Strawberry Walnut Granola?
You don’t have to, however you do for sure need the honey to make sure it gives the granola the wonderful clusters
Can I switch out the walnuts for pecans in the High Protein Strawberry Walnut Granola?
Sure thing! I love them both & they both would work great!
How long does the High Protein Strawberry Walnut Granola keep?
2 weeks in air tight containers or up to a month in freezer!
What is the best way to store High Protein Strawberry Walnut Granola?
In air tight containers like mason jars!
High Protein Strawberry Walnut Granola
Ingredients
- 4 cups old fashioned rolled oats
- 1 cup shredded coconut
- 1 1/2 cup raw walnuts
- ½ cup sliced almonds
- 1 tbl cinnamon
- 1 1/2 tsp Pink Himalayan salt or ½ tsp kosher salt
- 1/4 cup coconut sugar
- 1/4 cup melted butter
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1/2 cup maple syrup
- 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp almond extract
- 2 cup freeze dried strawberries
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 300 degrees.
- Add all the dry ingredients together in one bowl EXCEPT the freeze dried strawberries and set aside
- Melt ¼ cup of butter in a microwave safe bowl. Then add in syrup, honey, vanilla & almond extract. Whisk together all the wet ingredients until fully incorporated.
- Add the wet ingredients to the dry and mix it together thoroughly so the oats are well covered. Then spread the mixture evenly onto a silpat or baking sheet with wax paper. Put in the oven at 300 degrees for 35 to 40 minutes.
- Check on it at minute 20 to move it around and make sure it doesn’t burn. Then leave in for another 20 minutes depending how your oven is. You can tell it is done if the color all around is golden brown! I can’t stress enough to keep an eye on it.
- To check for the crunch and if it is nice and gold brown. Take a bit out of the oven, let cool for 2 minutes. If it is crunchy you are good to go!
- After it is done, let it cool fully until you put it into the container. Letting it cool that way, makes the perfect crunch! Now add the freeze dried strawberries and toss.
- Store in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks or freeze portions if you’d like
This is the best!! Easy and so good! Sharing with a friend – otherwise I would eat it all myself! Mini Chocolate chips are a good add in! Definitely making this again! Thank you!!
Ah Natalie thanks so much for leaving a review! Seriously you get the best friend award 🙂 I am 100% adding mini chocolate chips next time! Thanks so much for sharing and being a part of this community!
I leave out the nuts in the granola and just add dark chocolate covered almonds at the end. Adds texture and sweetness.
Great idea!! Thanks so much for sharing!!