This weekend was filled with way too much activity. I was busy from sun up to sun down and I didn’t even leave my house. Being sick for a week and then recovering for the last week left me behind on a lot of deadlines. I missed a bit of school and I had a lot of assignments to catch up on, midterms to study for and blog stuff to finish. Through all of that, the only thing keeping me going was this Coconut Almond Granola.
If you’re not familiar with my granola addiction, let me enlighten you. I’ve been a granola fiend since the day my mother introduced me to it. Of course, it was store bought and choked full of raisins – which I was not a fan of at the time – but that didn’t stop me from eating my little heart out. Granola and yogurt? Yep. Granola and milk? Yes, please. Granola alone, preferably by the handful? Definitely.
I didn’t realise how bad some of the store-bought stuff was until I started making my own granola. They’re full of sugar and words I can’t pronounce. Plus, some of them even have milk products. So, since I had to give up dairy, most of the store bought granola has been a no go for me anyway.
What I love about making my granola at home, is how wholesome the ingredients are. I literally just start with oatmeal, coconut oil and a natural sweetener and go from there.
Homemade granola is also quick and easy to make. Plus, I much prefer being able to customize my own granola. I’ve been able to get a little more creative and specific with my mix ins than most of the stuff in the stores do. This coconut almond granola clearly has coconut and almonds, but I’ve also done orange cranberry in the past and even gingerbread with some of these gingerbread glazed roasted nuts. Now that I think of it, I haven’t made the same flavour of granola more than once in the last two years. #choices
Coconut Almond Granola
Anyway, this particular coconut almond granola is easy to make, ready in under 30 minutes and full of delicious flavour. Plus, it’s vegan, gluten free and refined sugar free. Your tastebuds won’t know what hit them.
- 2½ cups rolled oats*
- 1 tbsp ground flax (optional)
- 2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 3 tbsp slivered almonds
- 2 tbsp whole almonds
- 2 tbsp dried coconut
- ⅛ cup coconut oil, melted
- ¼ cup applesauce
- ⅓ cup maple syrup
- ½ tsp almond extract**
- ½ tsp coconut extract**
- Preheat oven to 350F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside
- Mix together the rolled oats, ground flax, cinnamon, coconut and almonds in a large bowl
- Stir in the melted coconut oil, applesauce, maple syrup and extracts and mix well
- Spread the mixture evenly out onto the lined baking sheet and bake for 20 - 25 minutes (or until golden brown) stirring half way through
- Watch carefully after 15 minutes so the granola doesn't burn
- Place the baking sheet on a wire rack and allow to cool completely before storing in an airtight container
** If you don't have almond or coconut extract, replace with equal parts vanilla extract
What about you?
Are you a granola fan? Do you make your own? Have you ever tried coconut almond granola? What’s your favourite flavour?
Share in the comments below!
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GRANOLA! I have about 5 or 6 recipes waiting to be published on the blog! AH!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine recently posted…Power Monday #68 Finding Happiness In The Little Things
Awesome! Can’t wait to see what you’ve come up with 🙂
Yum, granola is my go to snack right now. Loving it on yogurt or by the handful! Can’t wait to try this version!! Thanks for sharing
Sam @ PancakeWarriors recently posted…Protein Chocolate Covered Strawberries
I just found dairy free yogurt that I actually like and I can’t wait to have some granola and yogurt once again! Let me know what you think when you try it 🙂
Granola is my kryptonite. For real. Those serving size suggestions on the bags? Pffffft. There’s no way I can stop at those. And it only gets worse if chocolate is involved :lol; But you’re right about making it at home — SO easy and customizable. And then yu can feel better about eating the whole batch in two sittings 😉
Amanda @ .running with spoons. recently posted…. currently – february 2015 .
Two? Try one. It’s pretty much all gone already. I had to make my roomates their own batch cuz I couldn’t part with mine. Oops.
Looks delicious! Especially since there are no raisins in it!
Betsy recently posted…Fit Signals Loop Bands Review & Giveaway!
Thanks Betsy!
My obsession with coconut products is starting to become unhealthy LOL!
GiGi Eats recently posted…Britney Spears is Drenched!
Is ‘too much’ coconut even a thing though?? Lol
I have a lot of granola recipes I am dying to try but this one just went straight to the top! I LOVE incorporating coconut in my granola! Tweeted! Thanks!
Alyssa @ Piece of Home recently posted…Shrimp Pasta with Spinach & Tomatoes in Garlic Butter Sauce
I love granola too! You are right some of the store bought is very unhealthy. This looks easy and yummy. Thanks for linking up with us for MM. Hope you will check out some of the other great recipes in the link.
Deborah @ Confessions of a Mother Runner recently posted…Don’t Sweat it! Shower Pill Review & Giveaway
Hi Giselle, nice to “meet you” and thanks for sharing your recipe, looks delicious, I LOVE making my own granola! Thanks so much for linking up with us! I hope you will join us again next monday 🙂
Tina Muir recently posted…Life as a British Elite Runner in America
Oh wow how healthy and love your photography. Have pinned! Thanks for linking up to #tastytuesdays x
HonestMum recently posted…A Wintry Walk in Vertbaudet
Thank you! And thanks for hosting 🙂