Homemade Granola

The smell of granola baking is filling my house right now. And it’s amazing! I love experimenting with granola and granola bars- they are easy and fun to have the kids help with and the best part is that the recipes make plenty for us to use as snacks, breakfasts or add in toppings on smoothie bowl, oatmeal or yogurt.

Once you get used to the method of the mixing and baking, you can change this a gazillion (ok that might be a bit of an exaggeration) ways by changing the nuts, seeds or add-ins.

Here is my basic recipe:

INGREDIENTS

• 4 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
• 1 cup raw pecans, coarsely chopped (or whatever raw nut you prefer)
• ½ cup sunflower seeds (or pepitas)
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ½ cup melted coconut oil
• ½ cup pure maple syrup or raw honey
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ⅔ cup dried cranberries(optional)
• ½ cup desiccated coconut flakes
• chocolate chips (optional)*

INSTRUCTIONS

• Preheat the oven to 350
• Line a baking sheet with parchment paper
• Mix the oats, nuts, seeds, salt and cinnamon and mix well
• melt the coconut oil
• Add the oil, syrup or honey and vanilla and stir until the dry ingredients are well coated
• stir in the dried cranberries and coconut if you are using
• Pour the mixture into the parchment paper, keep closely packed but push down evenly and spread it out
• Bake for 20-25 minutes, stirring and re pressing down mixture halfway through
• Let mixture cool before adding chocolate chips if desired*
• once the granola is fully cooked break into pieces and store in an airtight container
• Enjoy!

I love keeping mine in the freezer to preserve its freshness, just let it warm up for a few minutes before enjoying.

If you make this tag me and let me know how your comes out!

~Eat well, be well

Patty