How to Make Healthy Homemade Granola

I wanted to share with you a simple granola recipe. I love granola because it is healthy and simple. It is a great snack for the family that does not cost a mini fortune to make. You have can have in the morning with yogurt or make granola bars.

I few things I love about this recipe is that I am able to use maple syrup and cinnamon. Maple syrup is filled it antioxidants and fights inflammatory diseases. Also cinnamon, which is a great spice for the winter months, is also has antioxidants and fights inflammatory diseases, but may cut the risk of heart disease and boost your metabolism.

Healthy Homemade Granola – Cinnamon & Maple Flavor

Prep time: 15 min.   Cook time: 30 min.

Servings: 12

Ingredients:

1 cup sliced or shredded coconut

3 cups uncooked rolled oats

1 cup nuts (I used walnuts and almonds)

1 cup seeds (I used hemp and pumpkin seeds)

½ cup coconut oil, melted

⅓ cup maple syrup

2 tsp cinnamon

1 tsp all-spice

¼ tsp nutmeg

1 tsp salt

½ cup dried fruit

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 285 degrees.
2. In a large bowl, combine oats, nuts, seeds and coconut flakes.
3. Melt coconut oil in microwave-safe bowl in microwave, or in a saucepan over low heat. When melted, remove from heat and stir in syrup, and then cinnamon, all-spice, nutmeg, and salt.
4. Pour wet ingredients over the dry, and stir. Mix until well coated.
5. Spread mixture in a large roasting pan or cookie sheet covered in parchment paper or foil.
6. Place in preheated oven and roast for 30 minutes, stirring half-way through.
7. Remove from oven and stir in dried fruit.
8. Allow to cool completely. Store in an airtight container. Will keep at room temperature for several weeks (but I doubt it will be around that long!)

Serve: over milk, sprinkled on yogurt, or just all by itself!

One quick tip- don’t bake the granola too long. They will still be cooking when you pull them out of the oven. They may not look “done” but they get crispy as they cool down. Otherwise you will end up with burnt granola.

If you are wanting more of granola clusters add 1 egg white.

1. Whisk an egg white in a small cup until it is frothy and foamy.
2. In a large bowl, combine oats, nuts, seeds and coconut flakes.
3. Melt coconut oil in microwave-safe bowl in microwave, or in a saucepan over low heat. When melted, remove from heat and stir in syrup, and then cinnamon, all-spice, nutmeg, and salt.
4. Pour wet ingredients over the dry, and stir. Mix until well coated.
5. Stir the egg white into the granola
6. Spread mixture in a large roasting pan or cookie sheet covered in parchment paper or foil.
7. Place in preheated oven and roast for 30 minutes.
8. Allow to cool completely overnight. 
9. When the granola is completely cool, break up into clumpy chunks, and transfer to an airtight container for storage.

Enjoy!