grain-free granola

This delicious treat tastes great morning, noon and night!  It can be eaten as a snack - warm, right out of the oven, although I recommend that you ration it first because it is hard to stop once you start! It can serve as your morning cereal, a topper for yogurt, oatmeal and even baked sweet potatoes, or eaten as a separate snack by itself.

grain-free granola

Prep Time: 10 min Bake Time: 15 min Yields: 8-10 servings

Ingredients:

2 c. walnuts

1 c. almonds

1 c. pecans

1/2 c. pumpkin seeds

1/2 c flax seeds (optional)

1 c. unsweetened, raw organic coconut chips

2 TBSP coconut oil (melted)

2 TBSP honey

1 tsp salt (or to taste)

1 TBSP cinnamon

Optional add-ins once cooled: dried fruit or dark chocolate chips. During the holidays I might add toffee pieces or seasonal M&M’s.

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375°

2. Mix all the ingredients in a large bowl except for the optional add-ins

3. Spread on a cookie sheet that’s covered with parchment paper.

4. Turn 1/2 way through baking time

5. Bake for 15 minutes or until golden brown.

6. Let cool for 15 minutes before serving.

This recipe has evolved over time as I have learned that soaking, sprouting and drying the nuts before using them in this recipe will not only make them more tolerable for people to eat if they have a sensitivity to nuts, but they taste SO MUCH BETTER.  The walnuts don’t have that bitter, dry texture and the almonds are so fresh-tasting. I will often go the extra step to peel the almonds after I have soaked them for 2 -3 days. I use organic, sprouted pumpkin seeds from Costco so they are ready to add right to the mixture. Soaking and drying the nuts takes work ahead of time, but I honestly don’t make my granola without taking those steps first.

Recommended products:

I often make big batches during the holidays to give away as gifts so I will buy the coconut in bulk. Otherwise, I purchase a small bag at Sprouts.

I use a lot of coconut oil, so I typically get mine at Costco.

I use bulk nuts from Sprouts or Costco and I soak & dry them before starting this recipe.