Granola

There is something so satisfying about making a batch of homemade healthy granola. And eating it is so satisfying too! This recipe is loaded with healthy anti-inflammatory ingredients (Oats, Hemp Hearts, Flax Meal, Seeds, Nuts), packs a punch nutritionally, and is not overly sweet nor overly flavoured with any one ingredient - it’s a delicious balance of wholesome flavours and lends itself to be eaten with milk (cow’s or plant-based) – a half cup portion is plenty and filling, sprinkled over yogurt, with fresh fruits (the favourites here are wild blueberries, raspberries and/or fresh Ontario peaches when in season!), over ice cream or straight from the container as a quick mid-afternoon pick-me-up snack. It makes a very welcome and thoughtful gift presented in a mason jar too! How will you enjoy and share it?

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Prep time: 10 minutes / Cook Time: 30 minutes / Number of Servings: 9-10 cups

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Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup Coconut Oil

  • 1/3 cup Coconut Sugar

  • 1/3 cup Maple Syrup

  • 4 cups Large Flake Rolled Oats

  • ½ cup Oat Bran

  • ½ cup Hemp Hearts

  • 1 cup unsweetened Coconut (shredded or flakes – which ever you prefer)

  • 1/3 cup Flax Meal

  • ½ cup Sesame Seeds

  • ½ cup Pumpkin Seeds – unsalted

  • ½ cup Sunflower Seeds – unsalted (roasted or natural – whichever you prefer)

  • 1½ cups nuts – chopped (raw almonds, pecans and hazelnuts is a delicious combination)

  • ½ teaspoon Sea Salt

  • 1 Tablespoon ground Cinnamon

  • 1½ cups individual or a combination of Raisins, chopped Dates, chopped Dried Apricots, chopped Dried Apple, Cranberries - Optional

How It’s Made

  • Preheat your oven to 375degrees.

  • In a small saucepan, combine the coconut oil, coconut sugar and maple syrup. Heat on low heat, stirring, until it is well blended and bubbling very slightly. Set aside to cool.

  • In a large bowl, mix together all the remaining ingredients, except the dried fruit (if using) and mix together well.

  • Add the coconut oil, coconut sugar, maple syrup mixture to the bowl and stir really well ensuring the dry ingredients are all moistened with the liquid.

  • Pick a shallow pan (a large rimmed cookie sheet works well) that will be able to hold all the granola mixture - line with parchment paper or a silicon baking sheet. You may need 2 pans, depending on the size of your pan, as the mixture should be spread out as much as possible to allow it to cook evenly.

  • Spread the mixture onto the prepared pan(s).

  • Pop it into the preheated oven.

  • After 15 minutes, give the mixture a stir – especially the sides as the sides bake and toast quicker, spreading it out again to bake longer. Put the pan(s) back into the oven.

  • After another 15 minutes, stir it again. The granola should be toasted a golden brown. Depending on your oven, if it isn’t, put it back in but only for 3-5 minutes at a time and watch it closely as at this stage it can burn rather quickly.

  • Remove it from the oven and stir in the dried fruit (if using).

  • Cool and then transfer the granola to an air tight container.

Enjoy!

Variation

  • For a sweeter Granola, use 2/3 cup Maple Syrup and omit the Coconut Sugar

  • You can use Flax Seeds in place of Flax Meal

  • This is such a forgiving recipe – you can use only one type of nut or seed if you wish instead of the mix of a few, you can add a teaspoon of ginger or a ½ teaspoon of cloves and/or nutmeg to flavour it. Finely chopped dark chocolate added when the mixture is completely cooled is a great addition too. Have some fun and play around with flavours to make it your own – just go easy so the granola isn’t overwhelmed with a single flavour.