Coconut Almond Granola

This weekend was filled with way too much activity. I was busy from sun up to sun down and I didn’t even leave my house. Being sick for a week and then recovering for the last week left me behind on a lot of deadlines. I missed a bit of school and I had a lot of assignments to catch up on, midterms to study for and blog stuff to finish. Through all of that, the only thing keeping me going was this Coconut Almond Granola.

If you’re not familiar with my granola addiction, let me enlighten you. I’ve been a granola fiend since the day my mother introduced me to it. Of course, it was store bought and choked full of raisins – which I was not a fan of at the time – but that didn’t stop me from eating my little heart out. Granola and yogurt? Yep. Granola and milk? Yes, please. Granola alone, preferably by the handful? Definitely.

I didn’t realise how bad some of the store-bought stuff was until I started making my own granola. They’re full of sugar and words I can’t pronounce. Plus, some of them even have milk products. So, since I had to give up dairy, most of the store bought granola has been a no go for me anyway.

What I love about making my granola at home, is how wholesome the ingredients are. I literally just start with oatmeal, coconut oil and a natural sweetener and go from there.

Homemade granola is also quick and easy to make. Plus, I much prefer being able to customize my own granola. I’ve been able to get a little more creative and specific with my mix ins than most of the stuff in the stores do. This coconut almond granola clearly has coconut and almonds, but I’ve also done orange cranberry in the past and even gingerbread with some of these gingerbread glazed roasted nuts. Now that I think of it, I haven’t made the same flavour of granola more than once in the last two years. #choices

Coconut Almond Granola

Anyway, this particular coconut almond granola is easy to make, ready in under 30 minutes and full of delicious flavour. Plus, it’s vegan, gluten free and refined sugar free. Your tastebuds won’t know what hit them.

[Tweet “Quick and Easy Coconut Almond Granola #Recipe #vegan #glutenfree”]

Coconut Almond Granola

 

Print

Prep time

5 mins

Cook time

25 mins

Total time

30 mins

 

Author: GiselleR @ Diary of an ExSloth

Recipe type: Breakfast, Snack

Ingredients

• 2½ cups rolled oats*
• 1 tbsp ground flax (optional)
• 2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 3 tbsp slivered almonds
• 2 tbsp whole almonds
• 2 tbsp dried coconut
• ⅛ cup coconut oil, melted
• ¼ cup applesauce
• ⅓ cup maple syrup
• ½ tsp almond extract**
• ½ tsp coconut extract**

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside
2. Mix together the rolled oats, ground flax, cinnamon, coconut and almonds in a large bowl
3. Stir in the melted coconut oil, applesauce, maple syrup and extracts and mix well
4. Spread the mixture evenly out onto the lined baking sheet and bake for 20 - 25 minutes (or until golden brown) stirring half way through
5. Watch carefully after 15 minutes so the granola doesn't burn
6. Place the baking sheet on a wire rack and allow to cool completely before storing in an airtight container

Notes

* Use certified gluten free oats if necessary
** If you don't have almond or coconut extract, replace with equal parts vanilla extract

3.2.2885

What about you?

Are you a granola fan? Do you make your own? Have you ever tried coconut almond granola? What’s your favourite flavour?

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