Healthy Granola (natural sweeteners)

I love granola but am often not compelled to buy it at the store because it can be quite expensive and I can be a bit turned away by the ingredient list, especially the amount of sugar in granola. But it is quite easy to make! I tend to have most of the ingredients on hand, so it is easy and affordable for me to make a batch of tasty and relatively healthy granola. Below are some of my favorite recipes!

Pictured above is the honey, nut, and fruit granola (before topping with fruit) and the chocolate sea salt granola 

Honey, Nut, and Fruit Granola

I have modified Cookie and Kate’s excellent granola recipe in creating my own basic granola recipe!

Ingredients (Makes about 3 cups)

2 cups old-fashioned oats

1 cup nuts/seeds (whatever you have on hand) [I used walnuts, almonds, cashews, and sunflower seeds in this picture)

½ cup dried fruit (optional) [I used dried cranberries and dates]

½ tsp sea salt

½ tsp ground cinnamon

¼ cup melted coconut oil

¼ lite cup honey (just shy of 1/4 cup) [I highly recommend raw unfiltered honey]

½ tsp vanilla extract

½ tsp almond extract

 

Directions

Heat the oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Combine the oats, nuts/seeds, salt, and cinnamon in a bowl.

Melt the coconut oil in a separate bowl, mix in the honey while the coconut oil is still warm, and then mix in the vanilla and almond extract.

Pour the liquid mixture into the dry ingredients and mix well until all the oats are coated.

Bake 24-28 minutes, stirring after about 15 minutes.

Cool granola for at least one hour.

Top granola with dried fruit

Break the granola into pieces with your hands, stirring with a spoon if you don’t want larger chunks

Granola will keep at room temperature in an airtight container for 2 weeks.

 

Dark Chocolate, Coconut, Almond, Sea Salt Granola

I modified an excellent recipe from Erin lives whole, swapping maple syrup for agave nectar and reducing some of the sweetness.

Ingredients:

2 cups old-fashioned oats

2/3 cup sliced almonds

1/3 cup coconut flakes

½ tsp sea salt

¼ cup coconut oil

¼ lite cup agave nectar [just shy of ¼ cup]

¼ cup cocoa powder

½ tsp vanilla extract

1 tbsp brown sugar (optional)

1/3 cup chocolate chips (optional)

 

Directions:

Preheat oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Mix together the oats, almonds, coconut flakes, and sea salt in a bowl.

In a saucepan over medium heat, heat the coconut oil, agave nectar, cocoa powder, and brown sugar (if using) and stir until everything is dissolved and combined (about 3-4 minutes).

Remove the saucepan from the heat and add the vanilla.

Pour the liquid mixture over the dry ingredients and stir until combined.

Pour oat mixture onto the baking sheet and bake for 28-30 minutes.

If you are adding chocolate chips, pull the granola out of the oven after 25 minutes, place the chocolate chips over the granola, and bake for the remaining 3-5 minutes.

Allow granola at least one hour to cool before breaking up with a spoon or your hands.

Granola stores in an airtight container at room temperature for two weeks.