A new Galaxy Research study has found that people are shifting towards a more savoury cereal bowl. For the most part, Westerners enjoy their bacon and eggs, sweetened cereal, buttered toast and jam, and porridge topped with brown sugar and raisins. Yet research on breakfast habits uncovered some unlikely results.
More and more people are going green by teaming herbs and vegetables with cereal, such as zucchini with oats (aka zoats), seaweed in their muesli mix, or nut butters spooned onto their muesli or porridge each day. And savoury granola or baked muesli has none of the oil used in most brekkie granolas. Instead, it’s bound by little more than high-protein, low-fat beaten egg white, which bakes into a crisp, light snap, crackle and pop delight.
Jumping on this trend not only ticks off one serve of vegetables and protein for the day, but it also provides a budget superfood combo of vegetables and grain food that keeps you feeling full for longer, especially if you add calcium-rich alternatives such as unsweetened Greek yoghurt or milk, or toppers such as nuts or seeds.
Savoury Muesli Toppers
It’s better to eat your fats by adding nuts and seeds, not oil, to your muesli as your digestive system needs to work harder to metabolise these, so you burn energy as you eat.
Candied Nuts & Cranberry
Place 1 cup pecans and ½ cup walnuts in a bowl with 1 tbsp honey and mix to combine. Roast in a 170˚C oven (150˚C fan forced) until golden, then allow to cool. Roughly chop, then add to a bowl with ½ cup dried cranberries. Season with 2 tsp oregano and 1 tsp thyme, then mix together.
Spicy Chickpeas
Drain and rinse a 400g can of chickpeas, then dry thoroughly with paper towel. Place in a bowl and then add 1 tbsp olive oil, 1 tsp cayenne pepper, ½ tsp cumin and finally ½ tsp garlic powder. Roast in a 190˚C oven (170˚C fan forced) for 40 minutes or until it is crispy.
Three Seed
Place 1 cup sunflower seeds, 1 cup pepitas and ½ cup sesame seeds in a bowl with 2 tbsp tamari. Allow to soak for 20 minutes, then bake in a 170˚C oven (150˚C fan forced) until crisp.
Nut & Seed Mix
Place ½ cup raw almonds, ½ cup raw pecans, ½ cup pepitas and ¼ cup sunflower seeds in a bowl with 2 tsp maple syrup. Add a sprinkle of cayenne pepper if desired. Roast in a 170˚C oven (150˚C fan forced) until the nuts smell toasty and the mixture is crunchy.
