Forget the fruitcake! This holiday season, wow your friends and family with a gift that’s both delicious and healthy. It’s homemade, festive, and perfect for those with dietary restrictions.
This holiday season, ditch the sugary sneer-inducing fruitcake and opt for a homemade, healthy, and delicious gift everyone will love: gluten-free gingerbread granola.
Gift the Goodness of Gluten-Free Gingerbread Granola
Homemade desserts make wonderful gifts, but they can be problematic for those watching their weight or managing allergies. Packed full of holiday flavors like cinnamon, ginger, and molasses, but without gluten or common allergens.
“The holidays are all about sharing, and what better way to show you care than with a healthy treat everyone can enjoy,” says Bethany Thayer, a registered dietitian nutritionist with Henry Ford Health.
A Festive and Nutritious Treat
This gluten-free gingerbread granola recipe features oats, a nutritional powerhouse packed with protein, fiber, and essential minerals. In addition to the warm holiday spices, oats are known to be beneficial for heart health. “They help improve blood glucose levels, keep you feeling full, and even support a healthy gut microbiome,” Thayer explains.
Make It a Gift
This pecan-free recipe is a snap to prepare, especially when you follow these tips for holiday gifting.
- Bake it in
batches. This recipe yields 10 servings, making it ideal for sharing with numerous friends and family members. - Package it perfectly. Transfer the cooled granola to individual Mason jars, tie festive ribbons around the top, and attach a card listing the ingredients to avoid potential allergies.
- Present it proudly. Your friends and family appreciate the thoughtfulness alongside the delicious and healthy holiday treat!
Gluten-Free Gingerbread Granola Recipe
Makes: 10 servings (1/2 cup each) / Prep time: 15 minutes / Total time: 30 minutes
Ingredients:
* 3 ¼ cups gluten-free rolled oats
* ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
* ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
* ⅛ teaspoon allspice
* ⅛ teaspoon nutmeg
* ⅛ teaspoon ground cloves
* ¼ cup dark brown sugar, packed
* ¼ cup canola oil
* 2 tablespoons molasses
* ½ tablespoon vanilla extract
Instructions:
Preheat Oven to 275 degrees.
In a large bowl, combine oats, cinnamon, ginger, allspice, nutmeg, and cloves.
Set aside.
In a microwave-safe bowl, combine brown sugar, canola oil, and molasses. Microwave on high until bubbly (about 45 seconds).
Add vanilla to the liquid mixture and stir. Pour the mixture over the oats and stir to combine. Spread the oat mixture in a thin layer on baking sheet(s).
Bake for 15 minutes. Remove from oven, stir, spread again in a thin layer and bake for an additional 15 minutes.
Allow to cool completely before transferring to an airtight container.
Recipe source: From Henry Ford LiveWell.
Nutritional information per serving:
*
178 calories (38% from fat)
* 8 grams fat (1 gram sat. fat)
* 26 grams carbohydrates
* 3 grams protein
* 4 mg sodium
* 0 mg cholesterol
* 37 mg calcium
* 2.5g fiber
* Food exchanges: 2 starch, 2 fat.
What are the health benefits of oats, particularly during the holiday season?
## Ditch the Fruitcake: Homemade Gluten-Free Gingerbread Granola Makes the Perfect Holiday Gift
**Host:** Welcome back to the show! With the holidays quickly approaching, many of us are starting to think about gifts for our loved ones. But what about healthy options that still pack a festive punch?
Joining us today is Bethany Thayer, a registered dietitian nutritionist with Henry Ford Health, to talk about a delicious and nutritious alternative to traditional holiday treats.
Bethany, thanks for being here!
**Bethany Thayer:** My pleasure! I’m excited to talk about this fun and festive recipe.
**Host:** So, what’s the scoop on this gluten-free gingerbread granola?
**Bethany Thayer:** This is a wonderful option for holiday gifting because it’s both delicious and healthy. It’s packed with those classic gingerbread flavors like cinnamon, ginger, and molasses, but it’s also gluten-free, making it suitable for those with dietary restrictions. Plus, oats are a nutritional powerhouse, offering protein, fiber, and essential minerals.
**Host:** That’s fantastic! What are some of the health benefits of oats, especially during the holiday season when we tend to indulge a bit more?
**Bethany Thayer:** Oats are known to help regulate blood glucose levels, so they can be a good choice for those watching their sugar intake. They also keep you feeling full and satisfied, which can help prevent overeating. And, they even contribute to a healthy gut microbiome [[1](https://www.veggieinspired.com/gingerbread-granola/)]
**Host:** It sounds like a win-win! Any tips for making this granola a great gift?
**Bethany Thayer:** Absolutely! This recipe can be easily doubled or tripled to make larger batches. Packaging it in festive jars or tins with a personalized tag makes it extra special. You could even include a handmade recipe card for a truly thoughtful touch.
**Host:** Wonderful ideas! Thank you so much for sharing these great tips, Bethany. It seems like this gluten-free gingerbread granola is the perfect way to show our loved ones we care this holiday season.
