Homemade Granola

By Joanne Levesque, Registered Holistic Nutritionist

Home-made granola makes a wonderful, nutritious, and easy breakfast. It also makes a great gift for Christmas.

This recipe also has less sugar and fat than boxed granola. For those eating gluten-free, be sure to purchase pure oats that are guaranteed gluten-free. You can also play around with the nut butter, and try peanut, hazelnut, or almond nut butter. You can find these at your local health food store. You can also vary the flavours with your favourite nuts and seeds. Try hazelnut, walnuts or pumpkin, sesame, hemp, or flax seeds.

6 c rolled oats

1 c pecans, chopped

1/2 c sunflower seeds

1 c almonds, chopped

3/4 teaspoon salt

3/4 c coconut oil, melted to a liquid

3/4 c macadamia nut butter

1/4 c maple syrup or honey

1 c dried fruit (raisins, apricots, cranberries, etc)

Preheat to 350˚F.  Grease two baking sheets with coconut oil.  In a large bowl, toss together oats, nuts, seeds, and salt (leave out the dried fruit for now).  

In a different bowl, gently whisk together the melted coconut oil, nut butter, and maple syrup or honey.  Pour the oil mixture over the oat mixture and stir well.  Spread the granola on the two baking sheets. 

Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes. Oats will become dark and golden.  Allow to cool completely before tossing in dried fruit. Store in an airtight container. 

Serve with milk (almond, soy, cow, goat, hemp, rice, etc.) and fresh or frozen berries. Try it with homemade almond milk!