Go to Granola

This granola is a weekly staple, if it even lasts a week. Often store bought granola contains loads of sugar or is one the first few ingredients. I thought if I don't need all this added sugar, why not create my own? After months of perfecting this recipe I came to a wholesome, clean, nutrient-dense, filling granola that can be eaten in three ways.

Prep time: 10 mins
Cook time: 28 mins
Total time: 40 mins
Yield: 8 cups

Ingredients

  • 4 cups Rolled Oats
  • 2 cups Puffed Rice or Quinoa
  • 1 cup Pumpkin Seeds
  • 1 cup Unsweetened Coconut
  • 1 cup Unsalted Raw Mixed Nuts
  • 1/2 Chia Seeds
  • 1/2 Hemp Seeds
  • 1/2 cup Unsweetened Dried Apricots
  • 1/2 cup Pitted Medjool Dates
  • 1/2 cup Cacao Nibs
  • 1/2 cup Goji Berries
  • 1/2 cup Honey
  • 1/2 Teaspoon Cinnamon
  • 1 Teaspoon Vanilla Bean Paste
  • Pinch of Sea Salt

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and line two trays with parchment paper (I use the 8.9 x 13.2 inch glass Pyrex dishes)
  2. In a small sauce pan, bring honey, vanilla bean paste, and cinnamon to steady boil stirring occasionally
  3. In a large bowl add rolled oats, puffed rice, pumpkin seeds, coconut, chia seeds, and hemp seeds. Roughly chop nuts to your desired size, and place in the large bowl with the rest of the ingredients
  4. Slowly drizzle the hot honey mixture over the dry ingredients and mix thoroughly
  5. Pour an even layer of the granola into the trays, lightly patting with the back of a spoon, sprinkle sea salt on top of the granola and place in the oven
  6. Bake the granola for the first 12 minutes, remove the trays from the oven and mix; press down with the back of a spoon to achieve clustered granola, and place back in the oven for another 12 minutes. Bake until lightly golden brown
  7. Remove from the oven and top the hot granola with dried apricots, medjool dates, cocao nibs, and goji berries
  8. Let the granola cool for 30 minutes especially if you like clustered granola versus loose granola
  9. Break the granola with your hands and place in an airtight container

Tips

  • This sounds silly, but parchment paper is absolutely essential. I've tried greasing the trays with butter or oil and the granola always came out way too crispy and burnt
  • These ingredients are my staples but each week depending on my mood I will change what I decide to put in. Work with the ingredients that you have
  • Adding the dried fruit after the granola has cooked is crucial because if they are cooked then they become ultra dried out and hard. Dried fruit can end up being quite sweet, especially with the honey already added
  • I find half a cup of honey is the perfect amount to achieve clusters without being too sweet, the more you add the more sticky and clustered the granola will be

How to Enjoy

I eat this granola in three ways:

  • Granola fresh fruit and steamed milk. This is feels like the most warm, comforting, breakfast especially on those cold rainy days
  • Yogurt, fresh fruit, and granola. This has been my staple for my work meal-prep, paired with my ‘Go to Green Smoothie’ is the ultimate away from home breakfast. I find that a breakfast like this is so filling and wholesome holding me over for hours yet making me feel light and agile
  • Handful of the granola by itself. If I feel myself dipping, I will always reach for a snack and have bags of granola stashed in my car, locker, and bag

Granola is one of the most versatile easy breakfast foods that I make weekly, and I hope it is on your radar now too :)

Yours truly,

ppk