As a nutrition coach, one of the biggest challenges I face with my clients is helping them curb their sugar cravings. Granola, a beloved breakfast and snack option, often tops the list of foods I ask them to cut back on. It’s easy to understand why – that sweet, delicious crunch pairs perfectly with milk or yogurt, making it hard to resist.

The Problem with Store-Bought Granola

When shopping for granola for my clients, I’ve found that most options are:

1. Filled with oats (which some clients need to avoid)
2. Loaded with processed sugar
3. Not aligned with many nutritional goals

To put it in perspective, a single cup of typical store-bought granola can contain:

• Up to 85g of carbohydrates
• As much as 30g of sugar

That’s an alarmingly high amount for such a small part of your daily nutritional intake!

The Search for a Better Alternative

I recently discovered Paleonola, which has one of the lowest sugar and carb contents among commercial granolas. However, its price point makes it impractical for regular use, especially for clients on a budget.

The Solution: Homemade Healthy Granola

This challenge led me to create my own version – a granola that’s both nutritious and delicious, without unnecessary processed sugar. Here’s what makes this homemade granola special:

1. Nutrient-Dense: Packed with a variety of nuts and seeds
2. Low in Sugar: Sweetened with just a bit of maple syrup
3. Healthy Fats: Baked with coconut oil
4. Gluten-Free: Naturally free from gluten, suitable for various dietary needs
5. Customizable: Easy to adapt with different nuts, seeds, and dried fruits based on preferences or availability
6. Cost-Effective: More affordable than premium store-bought options.

This homemade granola features a combination of nuts and seeds, sweetened with just a bit of maple syrup and baked with coconut oil. It’s naturally gluten-free and nutrient dense, packed with variety of nuts and seeds for optimal nutrition. It’s so simple to make, and you can easily customize it with different nuts, seeds, and dried fruit based on your preferences and what you have at hand. It’s crunchy, flavorful, and so easy to whip up! Give it a try!

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup raw walnuts
• 1/2 cup raw pumpkin seeds
• 1/2 cup raw pecans
• 1/2 cup shredded coconut (unsweetened)
• 1/4 cup coconut oil
• 1/4 cup real maple syrup
• 1/4 dried cherries
• 2 tablespoons chia seeds
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 teaspoons cinnamon
• Pinch of sea salt

Directions:

Prepare the Granola:

1. Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a food processor, blend all nuts, seeds, coconut, cinnamon and salt until fine (approx 5 seconds). Nuts should be in very small pieces but not powder.
3. Pour the mixture in a bowl, add in chia seeds, coconut oil, vanilla, and maple syrup. Stir until everything is combined.
4. Spread the granola mixture in an even layer approximately half inch thick on the prepared baking sheet. Tightly pack the mixture to get big clusters of granola.
5. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown. Check in to make sure edges don’t burn.
6. Remove from the oven and let it cool completely (this is the most important part). The granola will crisp up as it cools.
7. Once cooled, break into clusters. Transfer the granola to a mixing bowl and toss in cherries.
8. Transfer to an airtight container for storage.