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One of my favorite snacks is my Maple Grain Free Granola. I like oats, but oats don’t always like me! I have tried several different brands of gluten or grain free granola and even though it looked amazing in the colorful packaging, I was very disappointed when I tasted it. It either had an odd, paste-like texture that developed when I chewed it, or a dustiness I cant explain. I only need to take a bite or two and if it’s a big disappointment, I just chuck it in the trash.
I love Maple Grain Free Granola for a snack or even sprinkled on my ice cream!!
This recipe is packed full of flavor and textures. It’s full of Omega 3, healthy fats and protein from the nuts and seeds. Because there is no grain or gluten in this, it is very nutrient dense. I like to sweeten my Maple Grain Free Granola with organic maple syrup. I use coconut oil for the wonderful, light, flavor but also because it provides a healthy way to crisp up the coconut flakes and seeds.
It sounds like very serious stuff when you mention healthy fats, omega 3 and nutrition density, and as important as that is for your health, it is actually pretty easy to obtain when you are choosing to eat nuts, seeds and forgo gluten. However, I will not omit flavor in pursuit of a great granola recipe. As much as being healthy is important, so is enjoying your food and really yummy granola is a pleasure!
Don’t be shy, make up a batch of Maple Grain Free Granola and make it your own!
My favorite way to eat this is by the handful or atop my favorite, vanilla greek yogurt. My husband likes to eat it as a cereal AND by the handful! If we are sitting together, watching a movie with a bowl of granola on the coffee table, we are in real danger of eating the entire container of this Maple Grain Free Granola, it is that good!
Maple Grain Free Granola
Ingredients
- 2 cups whole, almonds
- 2 cups walnuts
- 2 cups pecans
- 1 cup cashews
- 1 cup sliced, almonds
- 1 cup sunflower seeds
- 1 cup pepitas
- 1 cup unsweetened, coconut
- 3/4 cup coconut oil
- 1 cup organic, maple syrup
- 2 tsp ground, cinnamon
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Combine maple syrup, coconut oil, cinnamon and vanilla extract in sauce pan and heat to boil, then turn off.
- In a large bowl combine, all nuts, seeds and coconut
- Pour warm maple syrup mixture over nuts and toss to coat
- Pour coated nuts and seeds onto a foil lined sheet pan, spread out
- Place nuts into a preheated 275 degree oven for 15 minutes. At the 15 minute mark, remove pan and toss nut mixture to make sure they are toasting evenly and coated in sauce. The sauce will still be thin at this point.
- Place nuts back in oven and toast for another 15 minutes. Remove and toss again, the sauce will be thicker and less evident this time.
- Place granola back in oven for final 15 minutes (45 min total)
- Remove from oven, toss again to prevent sticking, flatten out and let cool on counter. When done pull up sides of foil to create a slide for the granola into your storage container or basket to eat now!
- Store in an air tight container on the counter.
- **Note** if you want to add dried fruit, wait until you remove the granola from oven the final time and then add when giving the final toss before cooling.**Note** if you want to add chocolate chips, you will have to wait until the granola is completely cooled first or risk melting.
One of my favorite things about Maple Grain Free Granola, besides the taste, is that it is made for customizing. You can use whatever nuts and seeds you have on hand, or use what is on sale that week. I sometimes add dried fruit like; cranberries, cherries, apricot pieces, blueberries or sugar free chocolate chips. It is rare that I ever make this exactly like I made it the time before. On occasion, I will add cocoa powder, cayenne powder or orange extract to the maple syrup mixture while I am heating it, for wonderful change of flavor.
Think about the wonderful array of choices you have to make the perfect granola. A few favorites are whole and slivered almonds, cashews, pistachios, pecans, macadamias, sunflower seeds, pepita and chia seeds and flaked coconut. If you give Maple Grain Free Granola a try, I would love to hear how you liked it and how you made it your own! Enjoy friends!
I love Maple Grain Free Granola, what is your favorite grain free yogurt topping?
Love some granola and yogurt.
I too prefer my granola as a cereal. Glad I am not the only one.
Lol, I think there are a bunch of you!
One of my daughter-in-laws loves it with cayenne and or chili oil. The spicier the better. Can you say “Flame On!” Enjoyed it immensely.
I love to hear this! Enjoy!