I used to buy my granola from local bakeries and supermarkets. Granola is so good over yogurt and drizzled with honey or sprinkled over ice cream. It makes a great snack by the handful. This cereal alternative is touted as a “health food” over and over again, but if you look at the ingredient list and the nutrition label, you’ll soon discover it can be a diet sabotage! I realized this “healthy” breakfast staple was laden with processed sugars and unhealthy fats. I knew I could do better, so I started experimenting.
The best part about this granola recipe is the freedom for creativity. You can make swaps and create new favorite combinations. I am always mixing it up depending on my mood or the staples I have on hand in my pantry.
The ingredients:
*use organic if possible
3 cups whole rolled oats
3 tbsp chia seeds or hemp seeds
3 tbsp ground flax seeds
1 tbs ground cinnamon
1tsp ground nutmeg or pumpkin pie spice
3 tbsp warm water
1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
1 tbsp vanilla extract
1/2 cup raw honey or maple syrup
1 cup chopped nuts or seeds
1/2 cup shredded coconut (optional)
1 cup dried fruit (no sugar added)
Dried fruit suggestions: raisins, cherries, cranberries, chopped dates, chopped apricots, chopped figs….
Nut and seed suggestions: Almonds, walnuts, pecans, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds….
Directions:
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Combine the oats and spices together in a large bowl until evenly mixed. Add in the water, applesauce, vanilla and sweetener and stir until evenly coated. Mix in the chopped nuts and seeds and coconut (if using). Taste and add more sweetener if necessary. Spread the oat mixture evenly on a baking sheet and place in the oven. After ten minutes, flip and stir the granola on the baking sheet to avoid burning and make sure it all evenly bakes. Check on it again after another ten minutes and then in five minute intervals. Your granola is done when it is lightly toasted and fragrant! Remove from the oven and let cool. Add in the dried fruit and enjoy! Store your extras in mason jars or other air tight containers.
Some Inspiration:
Orange-Cranberry Granola: substitute water for orange juice and use pecans for the nuts and dried cranberries for the fruit.
Maple Walnut Granola: use maple syrup as the sweetener and chopped walnuts as the nuts and dates for the fruit.
Tropical Coconut Granola: add in 2 tbsp coconut oil (as a liquid), add the shredded coconut, use macadamia nuts and dried pineapple.
Almond Joy Granola: Swap in almond extract for vanilla extract, use chopped almonds, keep the shredded coconut and use cacao nibs or dark chocolate chips instead of dried fruit.
Tip: wrap twine around the top of each mason jar and secure a hand written label with your granola description. Fill the jars with your granola and give out as gifts at your next dinner party or to co-workers for the holidays!
Sprinkle on yogurt for breakfast, top a frozen treat for dessert, enjoy with your favorite homemade nut milk.
EMBODY Wellness and share with us how you are doing it!
