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