Description
This healthy homemade granola recipe has been a go-to favorite of mine and others for over 8 years! It’s super simple, healthy, and absolutely delicious.
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Ingredients
- 2–3 tablespoons real maple syrup or honey
- 2 tablespoons virgin coconut oil (or other healthy cooking oil)
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 large pinch of fine sea salt (about 1/8 teaspoon; I use Real Salt)
- 2 cups whole rolled oats (aka old fashioned oats, preferably organic)
- 1/2 cup raw nuts, chopped (or slivered almonds; you don’t need to chop them)
- 1/4 cup raw pumpkin seeds
- 2 tablespoons raw sunflower seeds
- 1/2 cup unsweetened dried fruit, chopped (optional; I like unsweetened dried cranberries)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 300º F (177° C). (If your oven runs cool or is older, 325º F also works.)
- Combine the oil and maple syrup (or honey), vanilla extract, and salt in the bottom of a large bowl (mixing bowl is best) and give it a quick stir. The coconut oil might be solid depending on your climate (it has a melting point of about 75ºF), and that’s ok! A rough mix to incorporate the vanilla into the coconut oil and sweetener is all you need to do here.
- Add the rest of the dry ingredients, use your clean hands to mix well, and toss it to coat. It will be sticky and messy, but that’s the fun part. Your hands will warm the oil and melt it into the mixture if it’s solid; just be sure to mix it all through the other ingredients, so there aren’t any chunks of oil left.
- Spread the mixture in a thin layer on a rimmed baking sheet or sheet pan lined with parchment paper and bake for 10-12 minutes until very lightly toasted. (To make this recipe completely raw-friendly, dehydrate the mixture 5-6 hours at 115ºF in a food dehydrator instead.)
- Cool 10-15 minutes before serving or storing.
Notes
Homemade granola will taste like burnt popcorn if you overcook it; keep it at a low temperature just for 10-12 minutes to let it come together. I usually pull mine out at 10 minutes.
Oats are gluten-free by nature, but most are held in facilities that contain gluten. Check the package label and buy certified gluten-free oats if you are concerned with any gluten content.
This granola can be kept in an airtight container in a cool, dry place for up to 2 weeks. I keep mine in a mason jar in the refrigerator at home and in a BPA-free plastic bag when traveling.
