Granola is one of those pre-packaged items that you need to be a little weary of. They seem like they are healthy, but if you look at the ingredients and nutrition information, they are often packed with sugar.
Often times, the sugar is even disguised under several different names to make it look like there isn't as much of it as there is. For example, you may find a list of ingredients that looks a little like this: maple syrup, evaporated cane juice, brown rice syrup, molasses. All different products, all unrefined, but at the end of the day, all sources of sugar that will cause your energy to spike and crash.
For this reason, and others, I decided at one point that I would just start making my own granola. It's just so darn easy to make! If you can put ingredients in a bowl, spread them into a baking pan, and put that pan into the oven, you can make granola. Plus, unlike buying pre-packaged granola, you can control exactly what ingredients go into it.
My friend, Christy Morgan, aka The Blissful Chef, has a recipe for granola that has come to be my favorite inspiration. From her base, I add different variations of nuts and seeds, dried fruits and spices. A few favorite additions are ginger, pumpkin seeds and dried cranberries, which are nice for fall.
Below is the original recipe as created by Christy. I think the first time I tried it was when I was recipe testing for her book Blissful Bites, which I highly recommend if you don't already own it!
Nut and Seed GranolaIngredients
3 cups gluten-free rolled oats
1 cup raw sunflower seeds
1 cup shredded dried coconut, unsweetened
1 cup brown rice crispy cereal
3/4 cup sliced almonds
1/2 cup walnuts, chopped if whole
1/4 cup sesame seeds
1 tablespoon cinnamon
Dash nutmeg
2 tablespoons grapeseed oil
1/2 cup maple syrup
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Pinch sea salt
1 cup raisins (optional)
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 250 degrees F.
2. Mix all dry ingredients, except raisins, in a large bowl. In a smaller bowl, whisk together wet ingredients. Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients and combine thoroughly.
3. Transfer to a 9×13 glass casserole dish and evenly smooth across the top. Bake for 45 minutes.
4. Remove from oven and stir in raisins. Bake for another 10 minutes. Remove from oven and cool.
Makes about 8 cups granola.
Recipe by Christy Morgan.
Dash nutmeg
2 tablespoons grapeseed oil
1/2 cup maple syrup
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Pinch sea salt
1 cup raisins (optional)
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 250 degrees F.
2. Mix all dry ingredients, except raisins, in a large bowl. In a smaller bowl, whisk together wet ingredients. Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients and combine thoroughly.
3. Transfer to a 9×13 glass casserole dish and evenly smooth across the top. Bake for 45 minutes.
4. Remove from oven and stir in raisins. Bake for another 10 minutes. Remove from oven and cool.
Makes about 8 cups granola.
Recipe by Christy Morgan.
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