Homemade Granola is everywhere,

or I should say store made…You see in a lot of stores their own brand of homemade granola and it really is good if have not tried it you should give it a chance.  But I’ve always just wanted to make my own so I could control what was in it, seeds, nuts, fruit, honey or sugar or maple syrup or whatever.

So as I decided to make this I was thinking what do I want in it, I like pecans, walnut, pepitas (pumpkin seeds), pistachios, coconut and then I was thinking what else……….I got it…..Chia Seeds!!  Yes I know what you are thinking the “Chia Pet” this terracotta figurine, shaped in all kinds of characters.   You soak the figurine in water and then spread the seeds and watch it grow….well you are right  

But you can eat the seeds too and the people of the ancient Aztec and Mayan empires revered chia seeds as vital nourishment.  They are packed with Omega-3, protein, antioxidants and fiber.

While  getting my chia seeds, I saw Toasted Hemp Seeds and I thought…huh?…why not…They are high in protein, potassium, Fiber, Omega-3
and Omega-6, who knew…LOL!!

Okay so now I have all my so called nuts and bolts I need sweetness…I could use maple syrup which most recipes call for…and I found some locally but they also had Apple Cinnamon Syrup, I knew that was what I wanted to use, so I am now ready to go.

Ingredients

I used Coconut oil to add to my syrup, I like using coconut oil in my everyday cooking, cook on low , stirring until coconut oil is melted

once melted add vanilla and salt, stir to combine then set aside

in a large bowl add nuts and seeds, mix to combine, if adding fruit you will add that after baking

pour the oil and syrup mixture over nuts and seeds

 stir to make sure everything is coated

pour mixture to baking sheet and spread out

bake at 325 degrees for 25 – 355 minutes, stirring half way through, I like my granola on the very crunchy side, so I let it get really brown, so keep in and stirring as it gets brown, just don’t let it burn

Serve over yogurt or with milk

Recipe

Homemade Granola

3 cups oats (not quick oats)
1 cup coconut flakes
1/2 cup pecans
1/2 cup walnuts
1/2 cup pepitas (pumpkin seeds)
1/2 cup pistachios
1/4 cup chia seeds
1/4 cup toasted hemp seeds
3/4 cup apple cinnamon syrup
4 tbsp. coconut oil
2 tsp. vanilla
1/2 tsp. salt

In a large bowl add the first 8 ingredients, stir to combine set aside.

In a small sauce pan add coconut oil & syrup, cook on low stirring until just melted, then add vanilla and salt and mix till salt is dissolved.
Pour oil mixture over the nuts and seeds, and toss to fully coat, pour mixture on to  two baking sheet and spread out, bake at 325 degrees for 25- 35 minutes.  

Let cool completely, if adding dried fruit so it at this point and store in air tight containers for up to a month, if it lasts that long!!

Have some on yogurt, or even Ice Cream, or just pour milk over it, or eat just as is…I don’t like mine that sweet, so this is not that sweet as other recipes can be, I also added some dried tart cherries at the end.  

I hope you will try and enjoy!!!