Healthy Granola

I love granola – but most of it contains too much sugar and fats.  It’s usually pretty easy to make adjustments in a recipe to make it healthier.   So, I adjusted my favorite recipe to decrease the sugar content and I used a healthier fat.  Then I added in more nuts.

Here’s what I did:  

1. The original recipe called for vegetable oil – I used coconut oil instead. 

2. The original recipe called for ½ cup brown sugar – I decreased that to only 1 tablespoon.  

3. The original recipe called for ½ cup honey – I decreased that to ¼ cup honey.   

4. The original recipe called for only pecans – I used pecans, cashews and sunflower seeds. 

    (Almonds, flaxseed or coconut flakes would  be good too)

These 4 changes make the recipe much healthier.  Even with less sugar, the granola is still sweet.

Healthy Granola Recipe

Preheat oven to 250.  Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.  (I use only 1 baking sheet so that I can press the granola together and have larger chunks)

3 cups old fashioned rolled oats

2 cups chopped nuts/seeds (pecans, almonds, cashews, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds)

1 tbsp brown sugar

1/4 cup honey

1/4 cup raw coconut oil,  melted

1 tbsp vanilla

1/4 tsp salt

*Can add dried fruit such as raisins after baking

1. In large bowl, combine brown sugar, honey, coconut oil, vanilla and salt

2. Add chopped nuts/seeds and oats to mixture, stir to combine well and coat oats evenly

3. Spread evenly onto 1 or 2 baking sheets

4. Bake for 60-70 minutes, stirring twice during baking.

*Cool completely on pan before storing in airtight container.