By: @mariehealthyhill Marie Hemphill
January is the perfect time to take a step forward in your health journey, starting with the ingredients you bring into your kitchen. Eating cleaner, fresher, and more nutritious foods is a choice that benefits both you and your family. Making your own granola means no preservatives, no mystery ingredients, and full control over what you’re eating. Plus, the smell of cinnamon and vanilla wafting through your kitchen is pure bliss. This recipe is all about simplifying your goals for better health while enjoying something that’s easy to prepare and endlessly rewarding. Meet your new favorite recipe: Vanilla Maple Granola.
Tips for Perfect Granola Clusters
- Use Parchment Paper: This prevents sticking and allows the granola to crisp and cluster without burning.
- Don’t Flip Mid-Bake: Stirring or flipping the granola too often breaks apart clusters. Bake undisturbed for the best results.
- Press for Clumps: After baking, press the granola down gently with a spatula while it’s still warm, then let it cool completely without touching.
- Egg White Hack: For extra binding, whisk one egg white until frothy and mix it into the wet ingredients before combining with the dry mix.
Nutritious and Nourishing
This granola is loaded with heart-healthy nuts, rich in antioxidants and healthy fats, omega-rich seeds for brain and heart health, and gluten-free oats that provide fiber to keep you full and energized. It’s naturally sweetened with maple syrup, giving you just the right amount of sweetness without refined sugars. Making it at home ensures every bite is packed with quality ingredients you can trust.
Pro Tip: Make a double batch—it disappears fast!
Ingredients:
- 2 cups gluten-free organic rolled oats
- 1 1/4 cup organic unsalted mixed nuts (e.g., almonds, pecans, walnuts), roughly chopped
- 1/4 cup organic maple syrup
- 3 tbsp organic coconut oil (or extra virgin organic olive oil)
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon *optional*
- Pinch of sea salt
Add-Ins (Optional):
- At the 5-minute mark:
- 1/4 cup unsweetened coconut flakes
- 2 tbsp sesame seeds
- After baking:
- 2 tbsp flax seeds
- 2 tbsp chia seeds
Directions:
1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, mix oats, nuts, cinnamon, and a pinch of sea salt.
3. Prepare Wet Ingredients: In a small bowl, whisk together melted coconut oil, maple syrup, and vanilla extract.
4. Mix Everything Together: Pour the wet mixture over the dry ingredients and stir until everything is evenly coated.
5. Spread & Bake: Spread the mixture into a compact layer on the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 20–25 minutes.
6. Layer Add-Ins: At the 5-minute mark, sprinkle coconut flakes and sesame seeds over the granola without stirring.
7. Cool Completely: Let the granola cool completely on the baking sheet without stirring. For extra clumps, press the granola down gently with a spatula after baking and before cooling.
8. Add Final Touches: Once cooled, fold in flax seeds, chia seeds, and dried fruit if desired.
Quality Control is King: Tips for Ensuring Your Nuts Are Fresh
- Smell Test: Fresh nuts should have a mild, nutty aroma. If they smell sour, musty, or like paint, they may be rancid.
- Taste Test: A quick nibble will tell you everything. Fresh nuts taste creamy or subtly sweet, while rancid nuts taste bitter or sharp.
- Check for Discoloration: Fresh nuts look vibrant. Dark spots or a faded color can indicate age or spoilage.
- Store Properly: To extend freshness, store nuts in an airtight container in the fridge or freezer. Heat and humidity can accelerate spoilage.
- Buy Small Batches: Avoid purchasing in bulk unless you use them quickly. Smaller quantities reduce the risk of having old nuts on hand.
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