Maple Protein Granola with Extra Heart Healthy goodness
This is a super simple recipe for homemade granola is made with natural heart healthy ingredients. This granola is great for breakfast or a snack and will satisfy any sweet craving you may have!
INGREDIENTS
- 2 1/2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats (use certified gluten-free oats for gluten-free granola)
- ½ cups raw slivered almonds (I often add raw pistachios, raw sunflower seeds, raw walnuts or raw cashews as well crushed)
- 1 teaspoon fine-grain sea salt
- 1 tablespoon of hemp seeds
- ½ tablespoon bee pollen
- 1 tablespoon sunflower seed butter
- ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
- ¼ teaspoon of ground mahlab spice (OPTIONAL)
- 2 tablespoons of melted coconut oil or 1-2 tablespoon of olive oil/avocado oil
- ½ cup maple syrup
- ¼ teaspoon vanilla
- 3-4 jumbo dates chopped (if you like dried fruit add any additional i.e. cranberries, mango, etc.)
- 1 scoop of protein powder (Truvani Chocolate Peanut Butter or Vanilla Chia are my favorites)
- 1 tablespoon cacao or cacao nibs (OPTIONAL)
INSTRUCTIONS
- Preheat the oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit and line a half-sheet pan with parchment paper.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the oats, nuts, salt, cinnamon, ground ginger, bee pollen, protein powder, hemp seeds and any other dry ingredients. Add in the chopped dates/dried fruit. Stir thoroughly to combine.
- Stir in the melted oil, and add in the maple syrup, vanilla, and sunflower butter. Mix thoroughly.
- Spoon the granola out onto your prepared pan and use a large spoon to spread it in an even layer.
- Bake for 15 to 18 minutes, mixing halfway. The granola should be turning lightly golden, especially on the edges of the sheet pan.
- The granola will crisp up as it cools.
- Let the granola cool.
- Store the granola in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 1 to 2 weeks.
ENJOY- I guarantee you will LOVE this granola.