September 19th, 2023

Coach Jen

Where are my granola fans out there?! While you can find store bought granola with whole food ingredients, they’re typically still packed with more sugar & fat than necessary. Lucky for us, granola is one of the easiest things to throw together and 10x tastier and cheaper than store bought!

The Essentials:

While the variety of add ins are endless, you only need three ingredients for the base:

Old fashion oats, Coconut oil, and Raw honey

Oats are a good source of fiber and complex carbohydrates to keep you full and fueled throughout the day. Coconut oil has been proven to increase brain function, aid in gut health, and improve HDL cholesterol. Raw unrefined honey is an excellent alternative to refined sugars found in most granola. Rich in antioxidants, honey can help lower blood pressure, and even help fight seasonal allergies. To reap the greatest benefits, it’s important to buy raw, unfiltered, local honey.

The Add-ins:

This is where it gets fun! I buy raw nuts in bulk at the local health food store, then dry roast them with a bit of salt in the oven. I try to find dried fruit with no added sugar or sweetened only with fruit juice. Fruit and nuts are my go to’s, but you could include things like dried coconut, chia seeds, flax, or chocolate chips. Just wait for the granola to cool before adding the mix-ins.

The Process:

While your oven preheats to 350F, melt the coconut oil and honey combined. I find that mixing the two helps evenly coat the oats. Once mixed pour over oats, cinnamon, and salt. Stir to combine then transfer to a parchment paper lined baking sheet. Spread evenly to ensure even baking then place into oven for 15-20 minutes. Turn pan and mix granola again about half way through ensuring a golden brown color. Once cooled add mix- ins and store to an airtight container or glass jar.

6 Cups Old Fashion Oats

1/4-1/2 Cup Honey

1/3 Cup Unrefined Coconut Oil

1 Tsp Salt

1 Tbsp Cinnamon

3/4 Cup Cashews

1/2 Cup Dried Cranberries

1/2 Cup Apricots

Enjoy!