Nut-Free Recipe for Back to School: Nut-Free Granola Muffins with Honey

Enjoy Life Cinnamon Raisin Crunch...yum!

Back to school time is upon us and that means parents are looking for healthy but yummy foods that kids can use to refuel. Why not try these nut-free granola and honey muffins? I adapted this recipe from several muffin/quick bread recipes I already use. They are wholesome, tasty and perfect for a quick breakfast or energy-boosting snack.

What I love about this recipe is that you can vary it to your family's own tastes. For example, add some dried fruit in place of some of the nut-free granola (from Enjoy Life Foods--it's awesome) or add some coconut if your kids can have it. Use some whole wheat flour in place of the all-purpose (but be sure to add a little more liquid or the muffins will be dry.)

If you like, add about 1/2 cup of Sun Butter to the recipe instead of honey. If you deal with egg allergies, replacing the eggs with a half cup of unsweetened applesauce or a mashed banana would be delicious. Even if you don't deal with egg allergies, adding a mashed banana to this in place of honey would increase the nutritional value and taste great. (Those of you with egg allergies, feel free to add your own egg replacements.)

Hungry yet? Here's the recipe.

Nut-Free Granola Muffins (basic recipe)

Ingredients:

1 stick of unsalted butter, slightly softened
2/3 cup brown sugar (I use dark brown)
1/4 to 1/2 cup honey (adjust according to how sweet you want the muffins)
2 large eggs
1 2/3 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice ( I use McCormick)
1/2 tsp salt (Morton's fine sea salt is really good for baking)
1/4 cup 2% milk (a little more if using any whole wheat flour)
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt (I like Fage brand)
2 cups Enjoy Life nut-free granola (I use the Cinnamon flavor)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and line two 12 cup muffin pans with 16 cupcake liners.

Using a standing mixer or an electric handheld mixer, cream the butter, brown sugar and honey in a large bowl until very well mixed and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time (or egg replacer), mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.

Stir together the milk and yogurt. Set aside.

Sift together dry ingredients except for the granola. Add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture a little at at time, alternating between the milk/yogurt mixture. Do not over beat.




My trusty Kitchen Aid.

Turn off the mixer and stir in the granola by hand until well-combined.

Fill the muffin cups about 2/3 full, not all the way to the top. Bake about 20 minutes (I check at 18 minutes) until golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Let cool on a wire rack. Serve with butter, honey, cream cheese,  a sprinkling of powdered sugar or just plain. These are also great served warm.

The finished product!

Peanut Allergy News: Nut-Free Snack Perfect for Back to School: Mini Pops!

Look how cute these are! But they pack a good crunch.

Here is the basic flavor; they've got 9 in all.

Just in time for back to school -- here is a nut-free snack that is also gluten-free, organic and corn-free -- Mini Pops! My family got to sample these recently and they were a snack-time revelation: air-popped sorghum grain. This tasty little snack is even better from my perspective because it is made in a nut-free facility (and says so right on the package.)

You might be asking: why sorghum? Turns out that sorghum grain is "greener" and more eco-friendly than corn as it requires 50% less agricultural water consumption. However, with so many more people needing to avoid corn these days due to allergies, celiac disease or other issues, it is also a great popcorn alternative. I thought it tasted a lot like popcorn with hearty crunch and lots of flavor. Both of my daughters loved this snack, and so did my husband and I, especially the "Cutie Caramel Clusters," "Nano Pepper and Herb" and "Petite Plain." The smaller bags they sent us were demolished in pretty short order. There are 9 flavor varieties in all; some contain dairy.

I just had a mom ask about organic, nut-free snacks the other day; another mom asked about corn-free -- here you go, ladies! Mini Pops give you a lot to like in one snack, as they fit a lot of people's dietary needs while also tasting delicious. Mini Pops are all-natural, certified gluten-free, organic, non-GMO and made in a nut-free facility. They are also kosher. The labels are clear and well-marked, so this is a great snack to share with family and friends who ask what you can have. Or just bring it to a gathering or kids' play date!

The company shares that a nice side benefit to this snack as opposed to popcorn: Mini Pops have no hulls that can get caught in the teeth or gums. My daughter with braces appreciated that fact!

You can order Mini Pops online and the product is also available in select U.S. stores. Check the company website for details on where to buy.

The company is also devoted to good causes. Right now, Mini Pops is offering a giveaway contest right now that benefits the Fisher House Foundation. For every entry Mini Pops will donate10 cents to the Fisher House, a organization that donates "comfort homes," built on the grounds of major military and VA medical centers. These homes enable family members to be close to a loved one at the most stressful times - during the hospitalization for an unexpected illness, disease, or injury.

 There is no cost to enter the giveaway and someone will win two Mini Pops sampler packs. The giveaway is through the company's Facebook page: here is a direct link.

Thanks, Mini Pops, for creating a delicious, healthy and nut-free snack that everyone can enjoy. Readers, if you try these, let us know what you think.

FTC note:  Samples of the product were provided, but I received no compensation for this review. All opinions are my own (and my family's).