All my life I have had a big problem with eating pudding, jello, and oats, it must be the texture. I know oats are good for you and can lower your cholesterol but after 3 bites I am done. I have tried for years and years to “eat my oats” but just can’t. So when I saw this recipe for granola I thought I would give it a try. What better way to eat my oats, crunchy and with other things that are good for me.
I got this recipe off the “Tropical Traditions” recipe website. I often made a double or quadruple recipe and put it in the freezer
- 3 cups regular rolled oats (I used Organic)
- 3/4 cups chopped nuts (I use whatever I have on hand, usually almonds, pecans or walnuts)
- 3/4 cups shredded dried coconut
- 1/2 cup honey (If you can get local honey it will be the best especially if you have allergies) You can use maple syrup for a vegan granola
- 1/8 cup water
- 1/4 cup coconut oil
- 1/2 tablespoon (I use my homemade) vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Preheat oven to 250 degrees F. Combine oats, nuts and coconut in a large bowl. Set aside. Combine honey, water and salt in a small saucepan. Heat, stirring frequently, to thin the honey. Remove from heat and stir in coconut oil and vanilla. Pour over oat mixture and stir well. Place granola into 1 greased 13x9x2-inch pan or 1 greased cookie sheet. Bake in a preheated oven for about one hour, until golden. Stir/turn over using a wide metal spatula about every 20 minutes. The granola will get crunchier as it cools. Store in an airtight container.
I used a cookie sheet and a Silpat. No greasing and easy clean-up.
I wish you could have smelled my house while this was cooking. The smell of vanilla, honey, and coconut warming in the oven was amazing!! After the granola was cooled I also added craisins but you could add raisins if you want. It is just barely sweet and oh so good.
I make mine with molasses instead…and while it’s cooling I put carob chips on top to begin the melting process. Then stir so the carob makes “chunks” of deliciousness!!!
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