Coconut Granola

Summer / Fall / Winter / Spring / Bake / Coconut Oil / Dairy Free / Dessert / Snack / Tieghan / Vegetarian /

DESCRIPTION

Sometimes simple really is best, and this granola is proof of that. This is basically a base coconut granola recipe. It’s easy to make and packed with goodness. To mix things up, try swapping in different dried fruits and nuts.

PREP, COOK, TOTAL TIME

Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 30 minutes
Total time: 1 hour 30 minutes

SERVINGS

Yields: 6 cups

INGREDIENTS

3 cups rolled oats
1 cup shredded coconut (sweetened or unsweetened)
1 cup raw whole almonds
1 cup raw pepitas (shelled pumpkin seeds)
1 1/4 cups dried cranberries
1/4 cup LouAna® 100% Pure Coconut Oil
3/4 cup pure maple syrup
4 tablespoons honey
1 teaspoon instant espresso
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

DIRECTIONS

Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.

In a large bowl combine the oats, shredded coconut, almonds, pepitas (pumpkin seeds) and cranberries. Toss well.

Melt the coconut oil in the microwave for 30 seconds, stir in the maple syrup and honey. Place the mixture back in the microwave for another 30 seconds. Sprinkle the espresso powder over top and stir to dissolve. Add the cinnamon and salt. Stir in the vanilla.

Pour the warm mixture over the dry oat mixture and stir to fully combine. I normally stir for a good 3 to 5 minutes.

Spread the granola out on a parchment-lined baking sheet with sides and drizzle with 2 tablespoons honey. Bake for 30 to 40 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes so the granola will get evenly toasted. The last time you stir the granola drizzle it with the remaining 2 tablespoons of honey. Remove from the oven and let cool five minutes.

After 5 minutes spray the bottom of a flat measuring cup (1 cup) or a flat-bottomed glass with cooking spray. Press the granola into the pan using the bottom of the measuring cup so that you have a flat slab of granola that looks like it could be cut into bars. Let the granola sit for one hour to cool and harden. After an hour break the granola up into clusters. You can serve it with soy or almond milk and fresh fruit, as desired.

Coconut Granola Recipe photo credit: Tieghan Gerard