Coconut Almond Granola
Crunchy, hearty and delicious coconut almond granola to start off the year on the right foot!
Happy New Year friends!! 2014 is here 🙂 I wish you all a wonderful healthy year filled with all your heart desires.
At the risk of being cliché, I really can’t believe we are done with 2013. Swooosh, just like that. It came, conquered and now it’s gone. Looking back, it was a pretty awesome year! But it is time to look forward. Rightfully so, many people are setting goals, declaring resolutions, intentions and attempting to make changes in their lives. It is that time of the year indeed!
I tend not to make resolutions, simply because I don’t believe in the idea. Some years, I do however have one goal I work towards. Last year was to start a blog (yay!!), the year before was to plan two wedding ceremonies without killing anyone (succeeded!!) and this year it’s to graduate with my PhD (God willing). Well, that’s not really a goal as it is not entirely up to me but more to the Gods of science. But that’s what I am setting my eyes on in 2014.
As you can see, I am not really one to make resolutions to lose weight, drink green juices daily and/or go on any crazy diets. However, I do believe in moderation and balancing one’s diet. I try to balance all the sweets I bake with daily consumption of greens, fruits, grains and fibers. Key word being try as it is work in progress. And one of the ways that I have successfully transformed my breakfasts these past few years has been with this coconut almond granola recipe.
I make my own granola frequently, at least once every month because I eat it A LOT. It’s on my rotation of breakfasts and I snack on it all day long in lab. And I love it because you can easily change the flavors and nuts to match the season or your feelings. But today I am sharing my absolute favorite go-to granola, a coconut almond granola recipe. It’s a blend of a few of my favorite nuts; almond, walnuts, pecans but the almond is more prominent. And of course coconut!! There is toasted coconut flakes and also coconut butter incorporated in the mix.
Have you tried making your own granola? I’m sure most of you have but if you have not it is the easiest thing to make and once you do you will never buy it again. All you do is combine old-fashioned rolled oats, nuts of your choice, seeds (I like flax seeds and sunflower seeds) mix with a sweetener of your choice. I always use honey or maple syrup. Combine wet and dry, clump if you like bigger clumps and bake for 30 minutes. Viola!! A whole three cups of granola to enjoy for breakfast and snacks.
What’s your favorite healthy breakfast? Mine is pictured above. A cup of Greek yogurt, a few slices of fruits (whatever is in season, currently I am crushing on pomegranates) and a handful of homemade granola.
Coconut Almond Granola
Crunchy, hearty and delicious coconut almond granola recipe to start off the year on the right foot! Easy to customize with your favorite nuts, flavors and sweetener.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients:
- 3 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
- 1 cup whole almonds (or sliced)
- ½ cup walnuts, chopped
- ½ cup pecans, chopped
- ¼ cup sunflower seeds (or flax seeds)
- 1 cup unsweetened coconut flakes
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt
Wet ingredients:
- ½ cup pure maple syrup (or honey, agave, barley malt syrup)
- 2 tablespoons coconut oil (measured solid)
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients. Combine the wet ingredients in a small saucepan and set over low-medium heat. Whisk until maple syrup warm. Pour over dry ingredients and toss until evenly coated.
- Spread evenly on baking sheet. Bake for 30-35 minutes, tossing every 10 minutes, until golden brown.
What a great healthy recipe for the new year! Thank you for sharing 🙂
I already came by last week to drool over your delicious granola, Zanaib, but I wanted to let you know that it’s going to be featured this Wednesday at Moonlight & Mason Jars! Thanks so much for joining us each week and bringing over your yummy recipes. Happy Monday! 🙂
Thank you so much Samantha! I’ll definitely be there this week for the party. Happy Monday!
Thanks for posting this at the Saturday Night Fever link party. Hope to see you back on Saturday!
This looks delicious! Can’t wait to try it… pinned! Thank you for sharing. I saw this recipe at the Moonlight & Mason Jars Link Party.
This looks amazing! I’m going to have to try this soon. My granola is almost gone!
Thanks for sharing 😀
Love, Keia
I love making my own granola! Coconut is a great ingredient. I’m sure it really adds a great flavor to Greek Yogurt. I really need to try this recipe. Pinned!
Thanks Meghan for sharing. The coconut did make the granola more flavor…especially the oil. Hope you get to try it!
this looks delicious – I was planning on making granola tomorrow – now I think I;kl add some coconut
Yes do it!! Coconut always is a good idea. Thanks Heather!
It has coconut in it, I’m sold. I always add coconut to my granola but never thought of coconut oil. Sounds like a great recipe. Have a great New Year!!!!
Happy New Year!! Coconut oil is just so versatile. You should also try it in baking!!
Moderation in the form of this granola sounds good to me!! I would probably inhale a batch pretty quickly.
Ahh! You made granola! I love this stuff. I eat this almost everyday for breakfast. Good luck on your way to a PhD. I tip my hat off to you!
Thanks for sharing this tonight at our MM party! I’ve haven’t tried granola but will be now – pinned!
This looks fabulous! I’m a big fan of coconut and almonds together.
I pinned it to my breakfast board 🙂
Thank you so much Ang!!!