Hi, friends! I have a gratifying and groovy homemade granola recipe for you.
Homemade Guiltless Granola is absolutely delicious. My kids love it. It’s a great snack, a great breakfast treat over yogurt, delicious over ice cream, amazing added to plain cereal, and goes incredibly well with fresh berries (along with whipped cream!).
Guiltless Granola is made using pure maple syrup and coconut sugar, as well as oats, pumpkin seeds, flaked (or shredded) coconut, and sunflower seeds. It seems to me the ingredient LEAST likely to be in your pantry is coconut sugar. Let me just rave about coconut sugar for a minute.
What is coconut sugar and why do I love it?
Coconut sugar is made from the sap of the coconut palm. Coconut palm trees have been used for sugar production for centuries using highly sophisticated techniques of “tapping.” This process has been practiced in Southeast Asia for hundreds of years. Today, the process of making coconut sugar involves collecting the sap and then boiling and dehydrating it, causing the water to evaporate. This leaves behind small, brown, sweet granules.
I’ve been using coconut sugar for years. I first came across it in a specialty foods store and, after having done a little research, decided to try it. The flavor and texture is akin to brown sugar, or “sugar in the raw”. It is not “coconutty”, and I love it in my coffee. It’s Paleo approved (but not Keto approved), has a lower glycemic index score than regular sugar, plus a few trace vitamins and minerals.
Is there anything a coconut can’t do?
Pumpkin seeds and sunflower seeds
After coconut sugar, my guess would be that not everyone has pumpkin seeds and sunflower seeds just sitting around in the pantry. They can be left out, however I highly recommend adding them, or substituting with other nuts and seeds. It will help give the granola some bulk, texture, and flavor.
Guiltless Granola makes a great gift!
By the way, this recipe makes enough for several mason jars full of granola! Pack some in a large jar, tie a ribbon or bow to the lid, and you have a wonderful homemade treat to give for all occasions.
One final tip…
Please wait until the granola is completely cool before breaking apart. Otherwise, there will be no clusters! Store in an air tight container.
Try it and let me know what you think! Enjoy!
Guiltless Granola
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup olive oil
- 1/4 cup pure maple syrup
- 1/4 cup coconut sugar
- 2 1/2 cups old fashioned rolled oats
- 2/3 cup unsweetened coconut flakes
- 2/3 cup chopped pecans
- 1/2 cup pumpkin seeds, raw and preferably unsalted
- 1/3 cup sunflower seeds, salted
- dash of cinnamon
- 2/3 cup dried cherries, raisins, or Crasins (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350.
- Add oil, syrup, and coconut sugar to saucepan.
- Cook over medium to medium high heat for 3 minutes or until mixture starts to boil.
- Turn heat down to low and cook additional minute or two. The mixture will become fully incorporated.
- Add oats to a large bowl. Pour sugar mixture over oats, coat throughly.
- Add coconut, pecans, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, and cinnamon. Stir until combined.
- Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. Spread granola evenly in the pan.
- Bake at 350 for 20 minutes or until golden.
- Remove from oven and allow to fully come to room temperture before breaking apart.
- Once a room temperature, break into large pieces and add optional dried cherries, raisins, or craisins. Enjoy!
Notes
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