Almond Joy Granola

We have been LOVING this granola recipe we found over at The Lemon Bowl. It is called Almond Joy Granola, but we used pecans because that's what we had on hand. My 4 year old and I have been gobbling it up all week! I know this one will be a family favourite and I love that the chocolate chips and shredded coconut are added AFTER baking the granola! Genius! 

Ingredients

3 cups oats

1/2 cup sliced almonds (I used pecans)

1/3 cup honey

1/4 cup coconut oil

1/4 cup cocoa powder

1 tsp vanilla

1/4 tsp salt

1/2 cup shredded, unsweetened coconut

1/2 cup chocolate chips (optional)

Directions

Preheat oven to 275 degrees and line a baking sheet with silicone baking mat or parchment paper. In a large bowl, toss together the oats and nuts; set aside. Heat honey, coconut oil, cocoa powder, vanilla and salt in a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir until smooth and melted. Remove and pour chocolate mixture over the oats mixture. Stir until everything is evenly coated. Spread evenly on baking sheet and bake for 50 minutes, stirring halfway through the cooking time. Let cool completely, then add in the chocolate chips (if using), and the shredded coconut. Enjoy! - Alex

*stores up to 3 weeks in an airtight container

 

Honey Almond Granola

I like to eat granola now and then, but THIS granola has taken over my life. I made it a couple of days ago and already my family has gone through 2 batches! Maybe I am crazy, but the combination of honey, coconut oil, and almonds just gets me every time. My husband even ate a bowl of it this morning for breakfast and said it was the best he had ever tried. He even added raisins to his just because (what the?). I am happy that he has FINALLY found something he can enjoy using almond milk because I am always trying to get him to try different cereals with it, but he says it's just not the same. We both gave up drinking cows milk a couple of years ago due to dairy intolerances and I am so happy that he was able to enjoy a good old bowl of cold cereal again! I have a feeling I will be making this one quite often, which I am perfectly okay with.

1 cup slivered almonds, divided

3 cups, old fashioned oats

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/3 cup coconut palm sugar (or brown sugar)

1/3 cup honey

3 tablespoons coconut oil

1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/8 teaspoon almond extract (optional)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a food processor or blender, pulse 1/2 cup of the slivered almonds until they are finely chopped. Pour them into a large bowl along with the oats, salt, sugar and the other 1/2 cup of slivered almonds. Stir to combine. In a small pot melt the honey and coconut oil and stir to dissolve the coconut oil. Once melted, remove from heat and add the vanilla extract and almond extract if using. Pour the honey mixture over the oats and mix well. Pour the oats evenly on a lined baking sheet and bake in the oven for 5 minutes. Remove from oven and stir them around, then return to the oven and bake them for another 3-5 minutes or until golden brown. Watch them carefully, as they brown VERY quickly and you do not want them to burn! Pour the granola on a piece of wax paper and spread it out into a thin layer. After it cools completely, break into little granola clusters and store in an airtight container. Makes about 4 cups.
Enjoy - Alex

Choco Coco Granola

                           

 Slightly adapted from budgetbytes

(Gluten, dairy and egg free and De!)

Ingredients

2 cups rolled oats

1/3 cup slivered almonds

1/3 cup unsweetened coconut

2 tablespoons coconut oil 

1/4 cup light brown sugar

2 tablespoons of honey

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

3 tablespoons cocoa powder 

2 tablespoons water

Directions

Preheat oven to 300 degrees. In a large bowl mix together the rolled oats, almonds and unsweetened coconut. In a small sauce pan, stir together the coconut oil, brown sugar, honey, salt, vanilla extract, cocoa powder and water. Stir until sugar is dissolved. 

Pour the chocolate mixture over the dry ingredients and mix until everything is evenly coated. Cover a baking sheet with foil and spread the chocolate oat mixture into a thin layer. Bake in preheated oven for  15 - 20 mins. It will be soft until it cools a bit. You can either break it up into larger pieces or (if you're like me), extra small.  

Store in an air-tight container at room temperature. 

I enjoy this granola in the morning for breakfast (or anytime really), with a nice tall glass of almond milk to accompany it. My kids LOVE it as an on-the-go snack. Either way, it is sure to be a hit! 

Enjoy - Alex

Photography by Everglow Photography