You stroll down the cereal aisle at the grocery store and stare at all the granola options and wonder what to get? You know you want to make good choices and you know you want it to be healthy…. But what should you get? Which bright colored package is truly healthy? Which bag has only good healthy ingredients involved and none of the additives and yucky stuff?
This was me a couple years ago.
I started being VERY aware of the things we put into our bodies. The minimal stuff I was buying from the grocery store, I was always checking labels and was very conscious about what the ingredients were. I tried hard to stay on the outside aisles of the grocery store (fresh produce, meats, and dairy) but there are just some things you still crave that are located on the inside aisles. One of these things for me was granola….
So, I decided I would try my hand at making my own… and guess what? I haven’t bought store bought granola since! This recipe hits all my criteria:
-only healthy ingredients
-easy to make
-stores nicely in the pantry
– and DELICIOUS!
Healthy Gluten Free Granola
Materials
- 1/4 cup Pure Maple Syrup
- 3 TBSP Coconut Oil, melted
- 2 TBSP Honey
- 1.5 tsp Pure Vanilla Extract
- 1/4 tsp Salt
- 1.5 cups Sliced Almonds
- 2 Cups Old Fashioned Gluten Free Oats I use Bob's Red Mill
Instructions
- Add coconut oil to a microwavable safe bowl and heat to melt completely.
- Add in maple syrup, salt, honey, and vanilla. Stir to combine.
- In a large bowl mix the oats and sliced almonds. Pour the liquid over top and mix to evenly coat.
- Pour onto a parchment paper lined baking sheet. Smooth out so it is flat and an even layer.
- Bake at 300° oven for 20 minutes. Turn pan around in the oven and bake for an additional 20 min or until golden brown.
- Remove from the oven and let cool completely. Carefully break granola in chunks once it is cooled. Store in an air tight container in the pantry. Will store for about 3-4 weeks.
Remember, your food is only as healthy as the ingredients in it so make sure you are using pure natural ingredients. For example, when you are choosing maple syrup, make sure it is 100% pure maple syrup with nothing added. When you are choosing honey, make sure it is pure and if you can get it locally that’s even better! Just always remember to choose your ingredients wisely to keep whatever delicious item you are making as healthy as you want it to be!
One of the best ways to eat this granola is in yogurt! Our favorite breakfast item or snack is plain yogurt, a little bit of pure maple syrup to sweeten it a bit, sprinkle some cinnamon in, and top with our homemade granola…add in a little bit of chopped fruit and it just hits the spot!
I also like to eat this granola with milk poured over as a cereal. It gives me that cereal fix without having to buy processed boxed cereal from the store!
So, the next time you are wanting a healthy snack but with a little added crunch, give this homemade healthy granola a try! Eating healthy never tasted so good!
I tried a homemade granola recipe a few years ago but it was a sticky mess to make and I’m prety sure it wasn’t “healthy”. This recipe was so easy to make, the kids and hubby approve, and it’s healthy! We added some mini chicolate chips to the mason jar and gave it a shake, that was a hit too! Thanks Stephanie!
That is so awesome! I’m sure my girls would love the added chocolate chips as a treat as well. I’m so glad you guys liked it!
Thanks for all the work you do so that we don’t have to do it Stephanie. Our family is grain free and I was wondering if you have a suggestion for substituting the oats in your granola recipe. Thank you for your time and all that you do.
This one is a hard one. I am not sure what I would substitute it with. It may take you experimenting with some things you like to use to see what flavor you would like. And thank you for the kind words and being here!