This granola is the best basic recipe to add your favourite toppings to, making it a versatile and healthy breakfast or snack! Not to mention it is completely vegan and gluten free.
For me granola is a simple and healthy no-brainer breakfast, but finding a healthy granola in stores is often a challenge. If you ever pick up a box of cereal/granola and read the ingredient list you know exactly what I’m talking about. With 2-3 (sometimes even 4!) different types of sugar along with a bunch of unpronounceable ingredients, it can hardly be considered a healthy choice. But as luck would have it, homemade granola is actually really simple to make and there’s a good chance that you already have the basic ingredients kickin’ around in your kitchen.
So why is this The Ultimate Granola? Because this is the best basic granola recipe and from here you can add go wild. And by wild I mean you can add/switch ingredients after it’s baked to give it a whole different feel each morning. I often hear people complain that breakfast is boring, eating the same thing over and over, usually due to lack of time or creativity. But this is where this recipe really shines. Once you have the basics down try adding:
- dates and banana
- coconut milk and dried mango
- drizzle maple syrup and toasted pecans
- dark chocolate and sea salt
- fresh peaches and almond milk
- pomegranate seeds and pistachios
- crystallized ginger and honey
- fresh raspberries and coconut milk
- figs and honey
- dried cherries and dark chocolate
There’s so many ways that you can play around with this recipe using what’s in season and what you have on hand. For a gluten free option I like to use Bob’s Red Mills Gluten Free Oats. Make sure that they are thick rolled outs, not quick cooking oats. Coconut oil, almond butter, a liquid sweetener (I like using maple syrup, but agave, brown rice syrup or honey will also do) and nuts and seeds are the base of this recipe. I’ve kept it only slightly sweet, leaving room to add fresh and/or dried fruit to the mix.
Since it’s packed with protein and fiber just a small bowl will keep you full and energized. Eat it with milk, on top of yogurt or just a handful for a snack. It’s nutty, crunchy, chewy, filling and satisfying. Thank you so much for stopping by and happy eating!
The Ultimate Granola
Ingredients
dry
- 3 cups gluten free rolled oats (not quick cooking)
- 1 1/2 cups unsweetened coconut flakes
- 1/2 cup raw almonds, roughly chopped
- 1/2 cup raw walnuts, roughly chopped
- 1/3 cup pumpkin seeds
- 2 tablespoons chia or flax seeds, ground
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/3 cup raisins
wet
- 1/2 cup runny almond butter
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
- 2 tablespoons coconut oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 300°F and line a baking tray with parchment paper.
- In a small pot heat the almond butter, maple syrup and vanilla extract on low, stirring until well combined.
- In a large bowl mix the oats, coconut flakes, almonds, walnuts, pumpkin seeds, ground chia/flax seeds and cinnamon. Pour the melted mixture into the dry ingredients and stir until coated.
- Spread the mixture on the baking tray in an even layer and bake for 20-25 minutes, stirring halfway. Keep an eye on it so it doesn’t get overcooked. It should become slightly crisp and have a golden colour when done. Remove from the oven and let cool.
- Once cooled add the raisins (or other dried fruit of choice) and mix. Eat as is or top with fresh fruit, almond milk or yogurt. It will keep up to two weeks in an airtight jar. Enjoy!
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