Easy & Healthy: Homemade Almond Butter Granola!
Once you try homemade granola you’ll never want to go back to store bought again, it’s just that good. There is also something so satisfying about crunching food in your mouth, or snacking while you work, and of course that midnight snack we’ve all been guilty of at some point. Snacks are truly a vibe, and granola can be eaten at any and all times!
About a year ago I switched my eating lifestyle to 85% homemade (I cook it, I eat it) and only 15% from the outside world. And let me tell you, I had to learn to get creative fast. I was mostly lacking in the area of snacks, and needing quick bites to munch on during a busy work day. And once I understood how to read my food labels and saw all the extra unnecessary ingredients in even your most basic of trail mixes, I knew it was time.
Besides fruit or vegetables, most of our snack options come in a packaged form, meaning is it some level processed food, and some level of ingredients that I have no clue what they are or why they are in there.
This granola is super simple, healthy, and addicting. It’s great on its own or, on top of yogurt, smoothie bowls, cereal, and inside energy bars. The possibilities are endless, and I’m sure you’ll be finding yourself trying to figure out all the way to implement granola into your life after trying this granola!
The recipe gives me a good 2 weeks worth of granola. Depending on how much or how little you eat. It also stores wonderfully and can last up to 3 months! (if you can resist).
Ingredients:
5 cups old-fashioned oats (use certified gluten-free oats for gluten-free granola)
1/2 cup sliced/slivered almonds
1/2 cup chopped cashews
1/2 cup pumpkin seeds
1/4 cup sunflower seeds
1/4 cup walnuts
1 tbsp sea salt
1/4 cup melted unrefined coconut oil, or olive oil
1/4 cup almond butter
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 cup maple syrup or honey/agave
***Optional additions: 1/2 cup of chocolate nibs, coconut flakes, or dried fruit
Instructions:
Pre-heat your oven to 350º F
In one large bowl combine your oats, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, sliced/slivered almonds, cashews, and walnuts, sea salt, and cinnamon.
Stir this mixture around until it is evenly incorporated.
In a smaller bowl combine the almond butter, coconut oil, vanilla extract, and honey (or agave). Use a large spoon to stir together.
Pour your wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and toss around until everything is coated in a nice even layer.
On a parchment lined baking sheet, spread out your granola. ***Note: If you’re looking for a chunkier granola don’t spread out the granola so thin across the pan. Leave space for the oats to cook but also for them to form little delicious granola clusters!
Place the uncooked granola into the oven for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown, stir halfway through. ***If you are adding shredded coconut to your granola stir in at the halfway point.
Take the granola out of the oven and let it cool completely, about 35-45 minutes. The granola will harden up more as it cools.
After it is cooled, top the granola with your choice of dried fruit or chocolate nibs. Break the granola apart with your hands for a more clustery granola, or stir it with a spoon for less clusters.
Store your granola in an air-tight container for up to 2 weeks. Or place in a freezer safe bag and store in your freezer for up to 3 months. *If you are freezing your granola just allow it to come back down to room temperature before consuming!
Did you try this recipe? Please let me know how it turned out for you in the comments below!
And be sure to follow me on instagram @jennamorgan.s to tag me in your recipes and for more lifestyle inspiration!