Coco-Nutty Granola

This is seriously good stuff!

Granola is a wonderful choice for breakfast as it can be eaten in so many ways! It can be enjoyed on its own as a little snack or with nut milk and frozen berries (my personal favourite). It can also be used as a topping for porridge, yogurt and smoothies.

Store bought granola is usually packed with refined sugar and preservatives which leads to a spike in insulin levels and can leave you reaching for an unnecessary mid morning snack. This is why homemade granola triumphs!  It is so easy to make and a little goes a long way.

My granola is completely grain-free, refined sugar free and 100% full of natural goodness. The recipe is nut and seed based which contain protein, essential fats and magnesium. Increasing your intake of omega 3s and protein in the morning will leave you feeling full and satisfied and you will find that you no longer crave that 11 am snack.

The coconut, cinnamon and maple coating act as a binder and provide a natural sweetness without upsetting your blood sugar levels.  Cacao powder is an amazing antioxidant and is completely unprocessed, if that is not enough to convince you, it also smells and tastes exactly like chocolate! And finally if you're after glowing skin and healthy hair then you're in luck, as coconut oil is not only full of nutrients it has amazing beauty effects!

Have a go and let me know what you think using the hashtag #revieatsgranola

Ingredients

1 cup of Almonds
2 cups of Walnuts
2 cups of Coconut Flakes
1 cup of Sunflower Seeds
1/4 cup of Flaxseeds
2 tsp of Cacao Powder
3 tbsp of Maple Syrup
3 tsp of Cinnamon
3 tbsp Coconut Oil

1 big bowl
Food processor
Small sized saucepan

Instructions

Pre-heat the oven to 175C

Place the almonds, walnuts into a food processor and blitz for 30 secs. You want the mixture to be crumbly but still contain the odd whole nut.  Place the contents into a big bowl.

Add the coconut flakes to the processor and blitz for 30 secs. Place into the bowl along with the flaxseeds and sunflower seeds. Stir well with a large wooden spoon or your hands so that all the ingredients are combined.

In a sauce pan over low heat the coconut oil, maple syrup, cinnamon & cacao powder so that it becomes a runny liquid. This usually takes about 20/30 secs. Take off the heat and pour over the dry ingredients.  Stir well so that everything gets covered evenly.

Cover a baking tray with parchment paper and place the mixture onto the tray and bake for 20 to 30 minutes, taking it out occasionally to give it a good stir so that everything gets baked evenly.

Make sure when it comes out of the oven it is nice and crispy.

Once cool, place in an airtight container.

*Note: Adjust the baking time to the strength of your oven. My oven is very powerful and a batch of granola can sometimes be ready to come out after ten minutes! So keep a close eye.