Healthy Honey Chia Granola Recipe

I am fed up with commercial breakfast cereals.   The standard "healthy" ones I grew up on like Shreddies and Cheerios contain preservatives and/or HFCS (High Fructose Corn Syrup).  The organic ones are still high in sugar, and many are wheat-free which means they are usually made of corn or rice.  Corn is a health nut's junk food, and rice cereals don't make me feel full.  The only other cold cereal option out there for me is granola.  I love granola.  The good stuff, made with natural, organic ingredients cost an arm and a leg to buy.  My local natural goods store offers locally-made granola for $9.99 or more for about 4 cups!

The last year or so I have been playing around with making my own granola.  It usually ends up a bit different each time since I don't usually follow a recipe, but it is always good.  Using wholesome ingredients like organic large oat flakes or other whole grain flakes, flaked coconut, coconut oil, honey, hemp hearts, almonds and chia seeds, you really can't go wrong.  Chia seeds are packed with calcium and omegas, and hemp hearts are loaded with protein and omegas.  This oatmeal is really and truly a meal in itself.   I finally took the step of writing down my recipe at the request of some readers.  So here it is!  A satisfying, lightly-sweetened, all natural, organic, whole grain granola recipe that is beyond easy to make!  I usually double the batch to last my family the week. 

Ingredients

6 c.      Large oat flakes (or other whole grain flakes)
1/2 c.   Coconut flakes
1/4 c.   Hemp hearts
1/4 c.   Slivered almonds (or whole)
1/8 c.   Sesame seeds
1/8 c.   Chia seeds
1/4 c.   Melted coconut oil
1/4 c.   Melted honey

1 c.      Raisins (optional)
1/2 c.   Dried Cranberries or other dried fruit (optional)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 325F. 
2. Add first 6 ingredients to an ungreased 8x12 baking dish.  Stir to combine.
3. Drizzle oil and honey over the dry ingredients.  Use finger tips to combine.  Spread out evenly in baking dish.
4. Toast in oven for about 45 minutes or until evenly, lightly browned, stirring frequently to prevent burning.  
5. Remove from oven and cool on wire rack. 
6. Mix in raisins and dried fruit. 
7. Store in an air-tight container for several weeks and enjoy!

Options: 

• Use maple syrup instead of honey for a flavour alternative.
• Add 1 tsp. vanilla to honey and stir well to give a flavour alternative.
• Leave out the raisins, nuts and dried fruit to be added when serving.
• Add more honey if you want it sweeter!

This post has been linked to Natural Parenting Group Monday Blog Hop #8, Whole New Mom's Traditional Tuesdays, I Thought I Knew Mama's Green and Natural Link Up, Our Simple Farm: Simple Living Linkup, Frugally Sustainable's Frugal Days, Sustainable Ways Common Sense Homesteading's Living Well Blog Hop #29 and Real Food Forager's Fat Tuesday.