HEALTHY GRANOLA RECIPE

When we think of granola, we automatically think “healthy alternative”, right? In most cases, that is not true! Although it includes nutritious ingredients such as oats, nuts, and fruit; you will find that it contains lots of sugar and more often than not salt. This seemingly healthy addition along with your morning bowl of yogurt can easily take a huge bite out of the recommendation of no more than 25 grams of sugar per day established by the American Heart Association.

I first started making homemade granola and created this recipe, when we discovered my toddler (my picky eater) had an allergy to tree nuts. I searched for granola that was both sugar-free, without artificial sweeteners and nut free. It was not easy and when I found it, I had to order it online so if I ran out in the morning, I couldn’t just run to my local grocery store to buy more.

This recipe is quick and easy. Honey with all of its health benefits replaces sugar complimenting the health benefits of the other ingredients. The best part is, you can add or take away many of the added ingredients to suit your pallet. If you want walnuts but don’t want raisins, you can do that.

I am not kidding you when I say; I make a double batch of granola at least once a week. It is a family favorite! If you or your family don’t eat granola like my family, that’s ok. Once the granola has completely cooled, you can store it in an airtight container and it will keep for weeks.

This recipe is a great opportunity to let your little ones help you cook. It doesn’t contain eggs or other ingredients that could make them ill if consumed raw during preparation and it is less messy than mixing cake batter or other flour-based recipes. It is also a perfect opportunity to talk to your children about the importance of eating healthy!

Below is the basic granola recipe followed by ingredients that can be added and tossed in once the granola is taken out of the oven. These optional ingredients allow you to personalize the granola to your taste and account for any allergies you or your family may have.

So collect your children, and get baking this healthy wholesome recipe while building your relationship with your children and teaching them the life skill of cooking.Healthy Granola Recipe

Prep Time15 Minutes Cook Time30 Minutes Servings 1/2 cupINGREDIENTS4 Cups old fashioned oatmeal2 Tablespoons flax seed2 Teaspoons Cinnamon1 Cup unsweetened coconut flakes Blend in blender. This allows for natural moisture to come out and has consistency of brown sugar1 teaspoon course sea salt (optional) More often than not, I leave this ingredient out1/2 Cup Honey1/4 Cup Avacado oilOptional Added Ingredients (added ingredients should not measure more than 1 cup in totalRaisinsRaw walnuts, pecans, or almondsChopped dried apricotsDark chocolate chipstoasted coconut flakes

INSTRUCTIONS

1. In a large mixing bowl, combine oatmeal, flax seed, cinnamon, blended coconut flakes and coarse sea salt together until well blended.
2. In a separate small mixing bowl whisk avocado oil and honey together until well blended.
3. Pour honey and oil mixture over oats and stir until everything is well blended
4. Spread out on a lightly oiled baking sheet and cook for 30 minutes. After every 10 minutes, stir the granola spreading it back out across the baking sheet each time.
5. Once your granola is cooked, remove from the oven and place baking sheet on a cooling rack. For the first 15 minutes stir the granola every 5 minutes to prevent the granola from clumping.
6. Once the granola has cooled you can mix in your additions
7. Once the granola has completely cooled, store it in an airtight container for up to 4 weeks.

RECIPE NOTES

Pre-heat oven to 325 degrees

Lighty oil baking sheet with avocado oil

Cook for 30 minutes stirring granola every 10 minutes.