Easy Homemade Granola

Granola is one of those foods that is assumed to be healthy.  However the granola of the past has transformed into today's high sugar, high calorie junk food that disguises itself as healthy by it's name .  Depending on the brand, granola falls into the same category as Vitamin Water, fat-free foods and baked chips.  Their names imply healthy, but they are anything but.    

 

Cascadian Farms granola is one of the better cereal options. Their cereals do not contain high fructose corn syrup or trans fats.  They are organic which means no GMOs, no use of toxic pesticides and artificial ingredients. However, some Cascadian Farms granola is higher in sugar than I like.  For the little effort that goes into making your own Granola, why not give it a try?  The cost and effort is minimal, you can control the amount and type of sugar and the flavor options are endless.

Here is my recipe for Maple Cinnamon Pecan Granola
Other flavors you can try: 
* Cranberry Chocolate
* Cinnamon Raisin
* Harvest Pumpkin Seed ( fall spices like cinnamon, clove, ginger and pumpkin seeds)
* use honey in place of maple syrup


16.5 cups of Old Fashioned Oats ( I used Publix Greenwise Organic Oats which equalled about 2 1/2 containers)
1 teaspoon sea salt
2 teaspoons organic cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon fresh grated nutmeg
1/2 cup coconut oil, melted
1/4 cup maple syrup
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/4 cup organic cane sugar 
1 cup chopped pecans

Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper.  In a large mixing bowl, combine the oats, salt, nutmeg and cinnamon.  In a glass measuring cup mix coconut oil, maple syrup, vanilla and sugar.  Stir until well combined.  Pour mixture over the oats.  With gloved hands, toss until oil mixture is well coated over all the oats.  Place in the oven at 300 degrees for 15 minutes.  Stir, then bake for another 10-15 minutes.  Remove from oven and place on a cooling rack.  It will harden as it cools.  Evenly toss the pecans in the granola.  Once completely cooled.  Place in an airtight container for storage.  Will keep for months. But it won't last that long. 

Mix oats and spices

Measure coconut oil, maple syrup and sugar

My helper's mouth is watering.

Mixing ingredients together

Remove from oven and cool

Toss in pecans or nut of choice

Use parchment to help you pour into storage container

Mikey likes it!