Maple, Pecan, Coconut Granola

Servings: 30 (1/2 cup each)
Preparation Time: 20 minutes

Ingredients:

Dry:

• 8 cups rolled oats
• 2 cups puffed brown rice cereal
• 2 cups chopped pecans (almonds or walnuts)
• 2 cups unsweetened shredded coconut
• 1/2 to 1 cup brown sugar, depending on desired sweetness

Wet:

• 1 cup maple syrup or raw honey
• 1 cup coconut oil, melted
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon almond extract
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Optional:

• 2 cups dried fruit such as raisins, chopped dates, dried cranberries, dried tart cherries, etc.

Directions:

Preheat oven to 275 degrees F.

In a large bowl, combine dry ingredients.

In a separate bowl, combine wet ingredients and whisk until smooth. Pour over dry ingredients and mix well.

Spread onto two large greased baking sheets. Bake for 45 minutes, stirring 3 times, once every 15 minutes. Turn oven off and let granola cool in oven for 8+ hours or overnight until completely cooled.

Stir in optional dried fruit now, if desired. Break granola up and store in an airtight container.

Enjoy your granola with one of these homemade non-dairy milk recipes:

• Coconut Milk recipe here.
• Cashew Milk recipe here.

Brooke from Springfield, MO, won $50 for this recipe and photo! Submit your recipes here!

• 1 cup water
• 10 pitted dates
• 2 tablespoons peanut butter
• 1 tablespoon coconut oil
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
• 2 1/2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
• 1 cup assorted raw nuts, roughly chopped
• 2 tablespoons chia seeds
• 1 cup unsweetened coconut flakes
• 1/2 cup dried fruit (berries, cranberries, and cherries are my favorites)

Directions:

Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.

Bring a small saucepan with water and dates to a rapid boil over high heat. Lower heat to medium and cook, stirring occasionally until the mixture is the consistency of chunky applesauce. Allow to cool and puree in a blender or food processor. Pour into a small bowl with the peanut butter, coconut oil, cinnamon, and salt.

In a large bowl, combine the oats, nuts, and chia seeds. Next, pour the date mixture over the oats and stir until evenly combined.

Spread in a thin layer on a cookie sheet and bake for 30–35 minutes, stirring halfway through and checking closely near the end to make sure it doesn’t burn.

While the granola is baking, pour the coconut flakes into a large dry saucepan and place over medium heat. Toss and stir frequently until the coconut turns a light brown color and becomes fragrant. Remove from heat and quickly transfer to a container to stop the browning.

Pour the coconut flakes and dried fruit over the warm granola and allow to cool before transferring to an airtight container.

Loretta from Waukesha, WI, just won $50 for this recipe and photo!
Submit yours here.

Tropical, Coconut Oil Granola

Servings: 6 cups
Preparation Time: 10 minutes

Ingredients:

• 3 cups oats, old-fashioned/large flake
• 3/4 cup chopped almonds
• 1/2 cup shredded, unsweetened coconut
• 1/4 cup chia seeds
• 1/4 cup sesame seeds
• 1/8 cup quinoa
• zest of 1/2 an orange
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 cup coconut oil
• 1/4 cup honey
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1 cup candied pineapple, chopped (optional)

Directions:

Preheat oven to 300 degrees F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.

Combine all dry ingredients in a large bowl. In a small saucepan, melt coconut oil, honey, sugar, and vanilla extract over medium heat. Pour over the oat mixture and stir until evenly coated.

Spread mixture onto prepared baking sheet and bake for 15 minutes. Stir and bake for another 15 minutes or until golden brown (an extra 5–10 minutes may be required). Sprinkle chopped pineapple over the granola and let cool. Once cool, break granola into chunks and store in an airtight container or large Ziploc bag.

Enjoy with milk, over Greek yogurt or as snack.

Recipe and photo submitted by Regina, Calgary.

Submit your recipe here!