My Favorite Granola (Bonus - It's Gluten Free!)

I first started making this granola two weeks ago when Dude and I started our Gluten Free Month.  I created a kind of frankengranola by adding elements from other granola recipes I've seen floating around; but my main inspiration came from this one.  Since then I've made it at least 4 times.  We go through it so quick!! Dude likes to eat it with almond milk, I like it on my homemade organic yogurt or with an apple dipped in almond butter.  

The best thing about this granola, and I'll probably say it three or four more times before this post is done, is that you can customize it to what you like.  The problem I've always had with granola is that more often than not, there is something I don't really like in it.  Something like slivered almonds or banana chips or purple raisins or the spices are too heavy or too light, there's always something.

But with this granola, I'll give you the ingredients I use, but if you don't like nuts or don't want flaxseed, don't add it!  If you would rather use dried raspberries and nothing else, go for it!  If you want big clumps of granola, add more maple syrup or honey.  If you hate pumpkin pie spice, but love something else, add it!  Do what you like, and preferably what only you like that way no one else will eat it!

Seriously, make this granola tonight, you won't regret it.

You'll need:

• 1-ish tbs honey
• 1-ish tbs real maple syrup (sampler not required, but it was all I had)
• 2 tbs coconut oil
• 2 cups quick or old fashioned oats

Everything else on this list is completely optional, if you don't like something, leave it out or switch it out with something you do like.  But from here on out we're going with what I used.

• 1 tbs pumpkin pie spice
• 2 tbs chia seed
• 1 tbs flaxseed
• 3/4 cup total of your favorite dried fruit (I used golden raisins, dried blueberries and dried cranberries, 1/4 c of each)
• 1/4 cup chopped chocolate (I used chocolate chips because that was all I had)
• 1/4 cup chopped nuts
• 1/2 cup coconut flakes (sweetened or unsweetened, whatever you like)

First things first, preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

Then, put the coconut oil in a small saucepan.  Add in the honey and maple syrup.  I usually add a little less than 1 1/2tbs because I like some clumps.  Here's what my "little less than a half" looks like.  Notice its a tablespoon - 

I've added more and I've added less honey and maple syrup and it still tastes just fine.  This recipe is very forgiving!

Whisk everything together over low heat.  While your liquids are heating up, pour your oats into a small bowl.

Why did I take a picture of this?  Oats in a bowl.

When your liquids look like this,

take them off the heat and pour them over your oats and mix to coat them with the sugary mixture. 

Pour the oats in a single layer onto a parchment lined pan (not essential, but it helps down the road) and bake them for 7 minutes.  This is what they'll look like after 7 minutes.  You can see some pieces are kind of brown, others are still white-ish.

Give the oats a good stir put them back in the oven for 5 minutes, or until they are all slightly browned.

Sprinkle your coconut, chia seeds, flaxseed and pumpkin pie spice over your browned oats, stir, and bake for 5 more minutes.  This is just to toast the coconut, so if you like your coconut flakes raw, no need to bake again.  Keep an eye on your oats to make sure they don't burn!

While your oats are baking this last time, start chopping up your dried fruit, nuts and chocolate.

 
Take the granola out of the oven once the coconut is toasted to your liking.  Mine looked like this -

Allow the granola to cool completely.  At this point, to speed to the cooling process, I normally make a giant cup out of the parchment paper and remove it from the baking sheet.  Bonus - minimal clean up!

When your granola has cooled, add the fruit, nuts and chocolate and mix well.  Here is where having the parchment cup helps.  Dump everything in and just shake!  No need to dirty another spoon!

Try some now and make sure you're happy with the spices.  If not, add more.  If you wish it didn't have spice at all, send me your leftovers!

Enjoy over milk, homemade Greek yogurt, or by itself.

Oh hai me in the spoon!