What's toddler granola? It's designed and made for little ones! Healthy, simple and inspired by my granddaughter, Ava! Guaranteed deeelish!
Toddler Granola Recipe
How did this recipe come about? Like a lot of things. Just by chance!
GG, grandma also of Ava, yes, our children, GG's daughter and my son married, was having a bowl of my very famous and scrumptious Dead Sea Granola. Yes, in creamy almond milk, it was a treat! Ava, about 17 months old, was sitting with us in the kitchen.
Never underestimate what toddlers can do!
Baby Granola Recipe
Watching and pointing in her own toddler communication fashion, it was obvious that she wanted to try what GG was eating.
And, what do two grandmas do? Well, we pull out a tiny bowl, get her spoon, remove any parts of the granola not suitable for a toddler, larger nut pieces, dried fruits, and gave her a couple of teaspoons drenched in almond milk.
Best Granola for Babies
Not only did she devour this tasting, but she continued to use her sign language and say 'more more'!
Yes, this is how this granola was inspired. Knowing that Ava loved it, I decided I'd create a similar granola, like the Dead Sea Granola, but with ingredients that are suitable for toddlers.
Toddler Friendly Granola
Yes, this is toddler friendly. No salt at all. Just a hint of coconut sugar. And, everything organic and the highest quality ingredients.
To make it even easier to eat, I've pulsed the organic oats and sliced almonds in the food processor. While the mixture is somewhat 'grainy' it's perfect as a topping on ice cream or yogurt. And, when you add milk, your choice and preference, dairy or nut, then the ground oats and almonds just absorb the liquid making it even easier to chew and swallow.
How to Make Toddler Granola
Defining this granola are the warm spices used.
Spices typically can be introduced around 8 months of age. As with any new food, you must do so carefully to check for reactions.
Ava has steadily been introduced to more age-appropriate spices and has done well with them.
We sure do know what spices do for flavor and, not only that, but nutrition. Yes, spices have nutrient value for our bodies.
Best Spices for Toddlers
Toddlers usually can tolerate several kinds of spices. Those in this granola are very accessible (try to buy organic), low-allergenic and oftentimes pretty easy on the digestive system to process.
One spice that is used in this recipe, Chinese 5-Spice, is optional. Or you can even reduce the amount to one-fourth teaspoon versus one-half teaspoon.
While Chinese 5-spice isn't really spicy 'hot', it's got a more intense flavor and aroma. The best way to use it in cooking is to think 'less is more' because that's what it is. It a simple way to add a complex flavor to a dish without much effort.
After about the age of one year, many experts agree that you can strategically and carefully start adding stronger flavors to a child's diet.
Again, the important thing is to watch for any reactions. And, when in doubt, just omit. This recipe has other beautiful warm spices that add immense flavor intensity to the toddler granola!
Chinese 5-Spice Uses
Chinese 5-spice can be used in many types of savory and sweet recipes.
I must say that Ava's older brothers, ages 11 and 9, both devoured a bowl, almost licking it completely, of her toddler granola which was the topping for their plain Greek yogurt with a drizzle of maple syrup!
