Steeplechaser Colleen Quigley’s homemade granola clusters are the perfect snack

This homemade granola may just become your new go-to snack.

You know how everyone’s talking about inflation these days? Well, if you like granola, you may have noticed how ridiculously expensive it’s gotten at the grocery store. Luckily, U.S. Olympic steeplechaser Colleen Quigley has a quick, easy and delicious DIY granola recipe that you’ll love, and that will save you money. She calls it Chef Colleen’s Collagen Clusters, and they’re apt to become your favorite homemade snack. 

A passion for food

Quigley, who recently made her debut in elite triathlon, shared her granola recipe on Instagram, where she’s been known to post many of her “Chef Colleen” creations. In her days as a collegiate runner, Quigley went to Florida State University, where she studied dietetics, which focuses on the science of nutrition. As she previously told Canadian Running, she isn’t a registered dietitian, but “nutrition is a passion” of hers. “I have applied everything I learned into what I do now as a professional runner,” she said. “I can really see firsthand how important it is to fuel yourself as an athlete.”

Fueling yourself as a runner comes down to more than your three square meals every day (although those are very important), and if you’re working out regularly, you’ll need snacks to keep you energized and ready to go for every run and training session. Granola is a great snack for runners for several reasons. First, it’s an easy food you can eat while you’re on the go. Second, it’s a good source of protein that doesn’t require much work (unlike a protein shake or a full meal). 

Recipe

3 cups of rolled oats 

1.5 cups of chopped raw nuts and/or seeds (Quigley says to add whatever you like)

1 teaspoon of salt 

5 tablespoons of collagen peptides (or any protein powder you prefer)  

1/2 cup of melted coconut oil

1/4 cup date syrup, maple syrup or honey 

Directions

In a large bowl, mix your oats, nuts and seeds, salt and collagen/protein powder

Add your coconut oil and syrup/honey

Spread granola evenly on baking sheet or roll into balls and place on sheet

Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes, stirring every five to eight minutes 

Let cool and break into pieces (or enjoy granola balls, if you opted to roll them)

Enjoy! 

posted Thursday March 2nd
by Ben Snider-McGrath