Homemade Granola

Homemade granola is very simple to make and richly satisfying. This cinnamon apple granola makes a yummy and crunchy breakfast or snack. You can also use this recipe as a base to create your own fruit, nut, seed and spice combinations.

Boxed cereal and granola is probably one of the most popular breakfast choices in America. The array of cereal brands and varieties available in supermarkets is overwhelming. It seems the choices are endless.

But the reality is that most boxed cereals are the same. Boxed cereals are typically made with cheap refined grain products and loaded with refined sugars and chemical preservatives. Despite the low quality ingredients used, the finished product is usually very expensive.

Making your own homemade granola will provide much more nourishment for less money. This recipe is packed with wholesome fruit, nuts and seeds. Pumpkin seeds are particularly cleansing as they are anti-inflammatory, anti-parasitic, reduce cholesterol and are very high in minerals. But feel free to mix and match ingredients in this recipe to create you own special cereal blend.

Raw muesli is also a popular cereal blend and can be made by leaving out the flour, oil and sweetener. Simply mix up your favorite grain, nuts, seeds, fruit and spice. Serve raw muesli or cooked granola with rice, nut or seed milk. Click here for recipes to make your own homemade nut and seed milks.

Cinnamon Apple Granola

(use organic whenever possible)

2 ½ cups regular rolled oats

½ cup amaranth flour

½ cup raisins

½ cup chopped almonds

½ cup pumpkin seeds

1 apple diced

2 tablespoons ground flax

2 teaspoons cinnamon

½ cup grade B maple syrup, agave nectar, juice concentrate or brown rice syrup (see natural sweeteners)

½ cup safflower, sunflower oil or coconut oil

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Mix dry ingredients in a large bowl.
3. Add wet ingredients and stir well until entire mixture is moist.
4. Spread evenly over two baking sheets.
5. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown. Stir or flip with a spatula after 15 minutes of baking.
6. Allow to cool before storing in an airtight container. Granola will become crunchy while cooling.

Variations

• Nuts: almonds, walnuts, pecans, cashews, brazil, macadamia
• Fruits: apples, coconut, blueberries, raisins, pears, figs, dates, cherries, cranberries, acai berries, goji berries
• Seeds: pumpkin, sunflower, flax, sesame, chia, hemp
• Spices: cinnamon, ginger, vanilla, cardamom, nutmeg