Make This!!

Coconut Oil Granola!

I have been looking for homemade granola recipes these last few weeks. All the so-called healthy granola in the stores are full of processed ingredients & extra sugar. I found this recipe via the Hungry Girl Por Vida blog. I changed the nuts & dried fruit around to suit my own tastes. This granola is very good!

Coconut Oil Granola - adapted slightly from Hungry Girl Por Vida

3 cups old fashioned oats
pinch salt
2 cups toasted pecans *see note!
zest of 1 lemon
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1/2 tsp ginger
3/4 cup honey
1/2 cup coconut oil
1 tsp vanilla
1 egg white
1/2 cup dried apricots, sliced
1/2 cup dried cranberries
1/2 cup dried cherries, halved

Mix oats, toasted pecans & spices together in a large bowl. Combine honey & coconut oil over low heat until coconut oil is melted. Add vanilla. Pour honey/coconut/vanilla mix over oatmeal. Mix well. Add egg white & mix again. Place granola on lightly greased cookie sheet. Bake at 350* for 15 minutes. Stir & check the granola after another 15 minutes. If it's still hasn't browned enough, continue to bake & check the mix at ten minute intervals. Mine took about 45 minutes.*Note: if you toast your pecans before you make this granola, they will be extra crunchy & taste oh so delicious!☺

When the granola is finished, remove from the oven. Now is the time to add your dried fruit. If you add it in the beginning & bake it along with the granola, it will turn rock hard. How do I know this? That's what happened the first time I made it.☺ Add the dried fruit on top of the warm granola & let it sit until the granola is cool.

Place granola in airtight container. It should keep for about two weeks (IF it lasts that long!). My favorite ways to enjoy this are over Fage Greek yogurt with a tablespoon of honey drizzled on top AND also in a bowl with almond milk. This is good stuff!!