Grrrrrrrrr...anola.
No food rings more like a "health food" and ends up more like a Big Mac than those pretty packages of granola in the stores. Whether it be from a conventional grocery store or a health food market, most granola products are LOADED with inflammatory fats and sugars. Plus, what a hella calorie BOMB. No bueno.
In my head, those foods in granola are SO healthy and nourshing; there is no reason for all of the extra fats and sugars. I'm ALL good if my granola doesn't stick into clumps.
Below you will find my signature granola recipe, tweaked over time to provide the perfect, golden crispy bit to top greek yogurt or applesauce or mashed sweet potatoes or for cereal or...well, you get the picture. It's versatile. Enjoy it and let me know how you like it in the comments!
Rooted Nutrition - Signature Granola
3 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
1/4 cupof pumpkin seeds or any other seeds that you like
1 cup chopped raw almonds
1/2 cup chopped raw walnuts
1/4 cup chopped macadamia nuts (we need daily luxuries, methinks)
1/2 unsweetened coconut flakes or shards
1/2 tsp salt
3/4 tsp cinnamon
5 Tbsp melted, unrefined coconut oil
1/2 cup lukewarm water
1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
4 Tbsp pure maple syrup
Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Combine oats, seeds, nuts, coconut flakes, salt and cinnamon in a large mixing bowl until well combined. In a side small container, combine the melted oil, water, vanilla and maple syrup and mix well. Pour evenly over the dry mixture and toss to coat as many times as it takes to be evenly moistened. Spread out onto a rimmed baking sheet in a single layer and bake for 35-40 minutes, taking out every 8-10 minutes to toss and turn to ensure even browning.
Once it's cooled, feel free to add in some mixed, unsweetened dried fruits like sour cherries, cranberries, raisins, dried apricots, figs....the possibilities are endless, just like this recipe; almost everything can be substituted if you don't have something on hand. Use what you do!
YUMMMMMMMMMMMMMM