QUICK AND EASY HOMEMADE HEALTHY GRANOLA (w no refined sugars!)

If your family is like mine, I am pretty sure that if you go into your kitchen pantry right now, you will find some bag of granola. I mean honestly, it is the greatest topping for anything. It is super quick and easy to throw onto some yogurt with fruit, or eat it with your oatmeal, or to just simply snack on throughout the day. Although, have you ever thought about what those manufacturers actually put into your store bought granola? No? Yah me neither until I started making it on my own. 

When my friends started to tell me that "granola isn't actually as healthy for you as you think it is", I would doubt them immediately because 1.) it says right there on the package "HEALTHY Granola!" Like i mean who would question that? However, some brands truly are "healthy" but others just lie to your face. And 2.) isn't granola just oats and nuts and a bunch of healthy stuff mixed together?? YAH actually, a lot of packages load it up with a bunch of sugars, excessive fats and processed things to help store it and make it taste better. NONONONO! Soon, your "healthy granola" turns into this despised back of brown oats sitting in your cabinet waiting to be finished. 

Instead of fueling your body with what you thought was nutrient packed ingredients, you are simply feeding it extra sugars and fats. I am not a health expert so leave a comment on your opinions about the cons on some granolas. After knowing this, have you ever tried to make your own granola? Not only is it ridiculously easy to make, but you are controlling what goes in, what stays out and how much of what you are putting in! So this essentially means if you want your granola to taste like a chocolate peanut butter cup (um yes please!), there is nothing holding you back to do so!

This recipe is simply a blank canvass for you to add in whatever your heart (or breakfast needs) desire! You can make it in 30 minutes or less and have a truly healthy, nutrient packed granola waiting for you to eat it with your breakfast! 

After making this, I promise you that you will never find yourself buying granola from the store EVER again. 

Homemade Healthy Granola ​print

Author: Rachel’s Eats 
Makes: appx 3 cups granola

Ingredients:
Granola:
2 cups rolled oats 
1 cup nuts of choice 
1/2 cup unsweetened coconut flakes 
3 tbsp superfood powder (see notes) 
1/2 tsp salt 
1/2 cup more coconut flakes or other mix ins (see notes) 
Granola “Syrup”:
3 tbsp maple syrup (or sweetener of choice)  
2 tbsp honey (or sweetener of choice)  
3 tbsp flavorless oil: canola, vegetable…etc. (can use coconut oil if you want a coconut flavor)
1/2 tsp vanilla (optional) 

Directions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. 
   
2. In a large bowl, mix together your “syrup” ingredients. Next, add in the remaining granola ingredients setting aside a 1/2 cup of coconut flakes/ mix ins. Combine thoroughly. 
   
3. Pour onto a nonstick baking sheet. Bake for 15-20 minutes, stirring halfway, until your granola is golden brown. 
   
4. Remove from oven and mix in your remaining coconut flakes and/ or dried fruit, more nuts…etc. 
   
5. Let cool for 10 minutes before storing in a air tight container. This granola stays for quite a while in a cool, dark area for up to a month; although, you will probably finish it in a week! Serve with yogurt and fresh fruit to make the perfect breakfast!
   

Notes:
superfood powder: I love sneaking in some superfoods into my granola as it packs in so much nutrients. I like to take 1 tablespoon each of raw quinoa grains, chia seeds and flax seeds. Feel free to substitute any of them for your superfoods of choice. Some options are hemp seeds, pumpkin seeds (although, great to leave whole)…etc. Then just blend it up into a fine powder and use as directed. I also love to do this when making smoothies and banana pancakes!

mix-ins: I like to keep my granola recipe as standard as possible so you are left with countless options of mixing in whatever you like. If you don’t like coconut, either completely remove it or sub in what you like such as dried fruit, other seeds, more nuts…etc.; note that you should add the dried fruit after you bake the granola otherwise they might burn in the oven.

Let me know in the comments what you mixed in and what you ate it with! Make sure to share this insanely easy recipe with your friends and family.