I love a nutty, slightly sweet granola that’s hearty + delicious. And this granola is just that. Homemade granola is less expensive than the store bought alternative, it’s also tastier and healthier. And the store bought versions tend to be loaded with added sugar and some questionable ingredients. But my version has just a touch of honey which adds the perfect amount of sweetness without being overpowering and it’s made from real food. It’s perfect. And you can pick and choose the different nuts and seeds to change it up and add some variety. For this batch I chose raw pecans, cashews, almonds + flax, but really any nut and seed combo will do. Just pick your favorites!
[flax + pecans + cashews + almonds + oats + honey.]
If you eat gluten-free it’s important to look for rolled oats that are certified gluten-free. Bob’s Red Mill brand is the one that I use. While oats themselves are naturally a gluten-free food, they are often processed on equipment with gluten-containing grains which increases the chance of gluten cross-contamination. If you don’t have an actual sensitivity to gluten or don’t have celiac disease, then finding certified gluten-free oats isn’t completely necessary.
Raw nuts + seeds add some extra protein and healthy fats to this granola. Just make sure you choose raw nuts. The roasted nuts you’ll find at the store will be roasted in inflammatory oils [sunflower, safflower, cottonseed, etc.]. So do your health a favor and choose the raw please. You won’t even notice the difference once you’re granola is mixed up and baked.
[coarsely chopped nuts.]
Spread your uncooked granola mixture out on a baking sheet as evenly as possible. This will make sure it cooks evenly and you don’t end up with some burnt pieces. If you decide to double the recipe, make sure to split the mixture onto two separate baking sheets to make enough room. At this point, sometimes I’ll sprinkle on some more cinnamon before it goes in the oven. I just can’t get enough cinnamon!
[all ingredients mixed together and ready for the oven.]
My favorite way to eat granola.
[1] by the spoon or handful.
[2] on top of a “smoothie bowl”. Sometimes I’ll make a super thick Super Green Smoothie [by adding less liquid to the original recipe], then I’ll pour it into a bowl, add granola on top and eat it with a spoon. It a different twist on my original Green smoothie and it’s oh-so good!
[3] on top of some organic plain Greek yogurt + berries.
[4] as a snack to munch on at work or school.
One batch of this deliciousness will last you 1 – 2 weeks in an airtight container, depending on how quickly you eat it, of course. This recipe can also easily be doubled. If you decide to double it, you’ll just want to bake it on two separate baking sheets to make sure it cooks evenly.
[the finished product + the perfect snack.]
Honey-Cinnamon Granola [gluten-free]
servings: about 10, ½ cup servings
Ingredients
- 4 cups gluten-free rolled oats [I like the Bob’s Red Mill brand]
- 1 cup assorted raw nuts + seeds of choice, chopped
- ¼ cup ground flax
- ¼ cup unrefined coconut oil, melted
- ¼ cup honey
- ½ Tbsp vanilla extract
- 1 Tbsp cinnamon [or more depending on how “cinnamony” you like it]
- pinch of sea salt
Directions
Preheat oven to 275 degrees. Mix rolled oats, assorted nuts + seeds, flax, cinnamon and sea salt in a large bowl. In a separate small bowl, whisk together honey, melted coconut oil and vanilla extract. Add wet mixture to oat mixture and combine well. Move mixture to a parchment paper lined baking sheet and spread out as evenly as possible. Bake for about 45 minutes. Stir granola every 15 minutes while in the oven to prevent burning. You’ll know the granola is done when it begins to turn brown and the oats have become crunchy.
- 4 cups gluten-free rolled oats [I like the Bob's Red Mill brand]
- 1 cup assorted raw nuts + seeds of choice, chopped
- ¼ cup ground flax
- ¼ cup unrefined coconut oil, melted
- ¼ cup honey
- ½ Tbsp vanilla extract
- 1 Tbsp cinnamon [or more depending on how "cinnamony" you like it]
- pinch of sea sa
- Preheat oven to 275 degrees.
- Mix rolled oats, assorted nuts + seeds, flax, cinnamon and sea salt in a large bowl.
- In a separate small bowl, whisk together honey, melted coconut oil and vanilla extract.
- Add wet mixture to oat mixture and combine well.
- Move mixture to a parchment paper lined baking sheet and spread out as evenly as possible.
- Bake for about 45 minutes.
- Stir granola every 15 minutes while in the oven to prevent burning.
- You'll know the granola is done when it begins to turn brown and the oats have become crunchy.
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