Why will you love these healthy granola?
This healthy granola recipe is absolutely yummy and nutritious, and so easy to make. The great part is that you know exactly what ingredients are in it and you can customize it with your favorite toppings. It is naturally gluten free, and plant based. Although, if you are intolerant of allergic to gluten, I recommend using certified gluten free oats and verify the rest of the ingredients are gluten free.
Key ingredients and items you need for the oat cookies
Ingredients
- Rolled oats – old fashion oats will work beautifully. I like old fashioned rolled oats by Quaker or Bob’s Red Mill, both are gluten free.
- Maple syrup
- Coconut oil – butter, vegan butter, olive oil, or any other oil that does well with heat
- Almonds
- Pecans
- Coconut flakes
- Dried cranberries – unsweetened
- Vanilla extract
- Ground cinnamon (optional)
Items
- Mixing bowl
- Measuring spoons: 1 tablespoon, 1 teaspoon
- Measuring cups: 1 cup
- Whisk or mixing spoon
- Baking tray
- Oven safe parchment paper (optional)
What the nutritious benefits of oatmeal?
The prevalent ingredient of this granola is the oats. However, the nuts and dry fruits are also a great boost of healthy fats, fiber and antioxidants. We added cinnamon, which is loaded with antioxidants.
Oats, known scientifically Avena sativa, are among the most nutrient dense foods you can eat. Oats are great source of carbs and fiber and provide more protein than most grains (1). In addition, they are very high in vitamins and minerals.
How to make healthy granola step by step
- Preheat your oven to 300°F and prepare a baking sheet or line it with oven safe parchment paper.
- Melt the coconut oil if it is in a solid state. If you are using olive oil, or any liquid oil, skip this step. But if you are using butter or vegan butter, these would work better melted too.
- In a medium bowl, add the coconut oil, maple syrup, vanilla, salt and whisk very well until all the ingredients are incorporated. Add 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon, this is optional.
- Add the oats to the same bowl and mix well. Keep adding the rest of the ingredients one by one and mix thoroughly: pecans, dried cranberries, coconut flakes, almonds, and any other toppings you like.
- Spread the mix in your baking tray.
- Bake for about 10 minutes and take out of the oven. Check often after 5 minutes have passed to make sure your granola does not get over toasted or burn. The temperature and style of the ovens may vary. Make sure that you do not over bake.
- Cool down for about 10 to 15 minutes and serve or store it in a sealed container. Store at room temperature for about one week or freeze for up to 3 months.
Useful tips and tricks for the perfect healthy granola homemade
You can substitute the coconut oil for any other oil you like or for butter or vegan butter. Do not use any oils that are unstable for cooking such as flax oil, palm oil, walnut oil, and fish or algae oil (1). These oils are better for cold preparation such as salads or as supplements.
You may add other toppings such as sunflower seeds, flax seeds, and walnuts. Chocolate chips are a great addition too, however, only add your chocolates until your granola is out of the oven and cooled down.
Dried fruit is a great addition to your granola. We used unsweetened dried cranberries, but you can replace them with raisins or any other dried fruit you like.
The maple syrup can be substituted by honey, agave, or any other liquid sweetener. You can mix your favorite sugar, such as coconut sugar, with the same amount of water and mix until it makes a syrup, and you can use it in your granola recipe.
Store in a jar with a lid for up to two or three weeks. Enjoy as a cereal with your favorite milk, or on top of fruit, or mixed with yogurt and fruit, in smoothies, or any way you like. You can eat it by itself too.
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Healthy Granola Recipe
This healthy homemade granola is made with a base of 3 ingredients: rolled oats, maple syrup, and coconut oil. It is also vegan and gluten free. You can add as many healthy toppings as you like. It is lightly sweetened, and the texture is lightly crunchy but not too toasted.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
Wet Ingredients
Toppings
Instructions
-
Preheat your oven to 300°F and prepare a baking sheet or line it with oven safe parchment paper.
-
Melt the coconut oil if it is in a solid state. If you are using olive oil, or any liquid oil, skip this step. But if you are using butter or vegan butter, these would work better melted too.
-
In a medium bowl, add the coconut oil, maple syrup, vanilla, salt and whisk very well until all the ingredients are incorporated. Add 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon, this is optional.
-
Add the oats to the same bowl and mix well. Keep adding the rest of the ingredients one by one and mix thoroughly: pecans, dried cranberries, coconut flakes, almonds, and any other toppings you like.
-
Spread the mix in your baking tray.
-
Bake for about 10 minutes and take out of the oven. Check often after 5 minutes have passed to make sure your granola does not get over toasted or burn. The temperature and style of the ovens may vary. Make sure that you do not over bake.
-
Cool down for about 10 to 15 minutes and serve or store it in a sealed container. Store at room temperature for about one week or freeze for up to 3 months.
Note
You can substitute the coconut oil for any other oil you like or for butter or vegan butter.
Raisins can replace the dried cranberries, or you can use any dried fruit.
Do not bake longer than 10 minutes to prevent over toasting.
