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Healthy Homemade Granola

Her skin bristles when someone calls her granola head. It feels derisive, even though she probably fits the description—she’s a vegetarian with leftist leanings, her hair is un-dyed grey, she doesn’t wear a lot of makeup, and yes, she inhaled. She makes apple juice and maple syrup sweetened healthy homemade granola –does that make her a granola head?

granola on a board with wooden spoon

Apple juice and maple syrup sweeten this nutty granola–a recipe I got from my friend Abhilasha. Abhilasha and her husband Pujari offer retreats in the mountains of southern Utah–she cooks incredible vegetarian meals and he teaches yoga and meditation to their guests. Naturally sweetened, and with a strong ratio of nuts to oats, –you will be keeping a jar of Abhilasha’s homemade granola on hand at all times–it’s the best!

Click here to PIN Healthy Homemade Granola recipe!

granola in bowl with bowl of blueberries and pitcher of milk in background

I recommend baking until the oats are decently golden brown—beyond the anemic color of the granola in grocery store bulk bins.

Healthy Homemade Granola variations:

  • Feel free to skip the coconut/raisins and switch the nuts around, like swap pecans or sunflower nuts for walnuts and pumpkin seeds.
  • Instead of raisins sub in another dried fruit, like apple juice sweetened cranberries or chopped apricots–make this granola yours!
  • Abhilasha’s recipe called for canola oil, I use coconut oil.

BTW– I’m the one he called granola-head, and it did always feel derisive. This cook knew how to push my buttons. :-/

nutty healthy homemade granola from Abhilasha

You might also like my gluten free and vegan Apple Cinnamon Quinoa Muffins!

Make it a fabulous week–get in the kitchen and cook something healthy–because homemade is best!

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8 comments

  • I’m not a foodie and you’ll rarely find me in the kitchen doing anything but happily cleaning up my sweeties mess but this might just get me cooking. I feel all of you in all of this and it is beautiful and I want some! Reply · 18 January, 2014

    • Letty

      Christine–thanks for the comment and favorite. Pray tell–clue me in and translate “<3" Reply · 18 January, 2014

      • Translate this <3 ?? It's a sideways heart with a less than and 3, emoticon for love. Reply · 26 January, 2014

        • Letty

          <3 back to you! Reply · 26 January, 2014

  • Rich

    <3 is a sideways heart = Love! Reply · 19 January, 2014

  • This is a new recipe for me. Please let me know how much healthy benefits has this Granola Recipe ? Reply · 24 December, 2017

    • Thanks for the note Robert. Rolled oats are whole grain and loaded with fiber that reduces blood sugar and LDL. Apple juice and maple syrup are natural sweeteners, admittedly sugar. I am not a nutritionist, but it is my understanding that natural sugars are better absorbed by our bodies than processed sugars. The high ratio of nuts means this granola is rich in healthy fats and protein. Reply · 25 December, 2017

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