HEALTHIEST GRANOLA >> free of oil & added sugar

This is the healthiest and most delicious granola you'll ever make. Yes, I know. That's a bold statement. No other granola recipe will compare, neither in taste nor in nutritional value!

I've always loved making granola but most recipes are loaded with oils and sugars. I've been experimenting with granola combinations that would be just as good but prepared with whole food ingredients. This recipe is a winner! It is slightly sweet from the dates and bursting with healthy fats from the nuts, nut butters, or any other "extras" you decide to add. I love that the recipe doesn't compromise flavour yet is packed with whole food ingredients that offer fibre, antioxidants, energizing carbs, healthy fats, and an array of vitamins and minerals.

This granola recipe makes a smaller batch to get you through the week but if you plan on sharing with family, friends, or roommates I recommended doubling the recipe!

Note: the Nutrition Facts below are estimates and will differ slightly depending on the fun extras you choose.

WHOLE FOOD GRANOLA

INGREDIENTS

• 1/2 cup (80g) pitted dates*
• 1 tablespoon boiling water
• 1/4 cup (60g) nut butter
• 1 1/2 cups (120g) old fashioned rolled oats
• 1/2 cup (60g) nuts or seeds
• 1/4 cup (30g) "fun extras"**
• pinch of salt

DIRECTIONS

1. Add the dates to a large mixing bowl with the boiling water. Use a fork to mash the dates into a paste!
2. Add your nut butter of choice to the date paste and stir to combine.
3. Then add all of the ingredients to the mixing bowl including the rolled oats, nuts or seeds of choice, "fun extras" of choice, and pinch of salt.
4. Use your hands or a spatula to combine the whole food ingredients. The more you mix the less "clumps"  that will form. Personally, I love the larger "chunks" of crispy granola so I mix just until everything is combined.
5. Bake at 300F for 30 minutes or until golden brown. Stop at the 15 minute mark to stir. This prevents burning and ensures the granola bakes evenly!
6. Let cool & enjoy! This recipe makes 10 servings of 1/3 cup (~30g) and makes the perfect accompaniment to parfaits (as pictured below) and smoothie bowls.

NOTES

* If your dates are dry, soak them in warm water to rehydrate them.

** Extras might include unsweetened shredded coconut, unsweetened coconut chips, cacao nibs, chopped dark chocolate, dried apples, raisins, dried cranberries, dried mango, dried pineapple, gogji berries, etc. If you choose cacao nibs or dark chocolate, add them after the granola has baked and cooled so they don't melt away!

VARIATIONS

The best part? You can customize this recipe to make it your own! The version in the photo is a "tropical" granola but you can swap out the ingredients to suit your preferences or what you have available in your pantry. Just keep the ratios the same! Some ideas include:

• Peanut Butter Chocolate: choose peanut butter as the nut butter, peanuts for the nuts, and cacao nibs or chopped dark chocolate (added after baking!) as the "extra".
• Apple Cinnamon: choose almond butter as the nut butter and use a mixture of slivered almonds and sunflower seeds for the nuts and seeds. Choose chopped dried apples as the "extras" and add a dash of cinnamon
• Nutella Granola: choose hazelnut butter for the nut butter, chopped hazlenuts for the nuts, and use cacao nibs or dark chopped chocolate (added after baking) as the "extra".
• Tropical Granola: choose mixed nut butter (eg. Nuts for Nature from Costco) as the nut butter, opt for a mixture of cashews and almonds for the nuts, and use a mixture of unsweetened coconut flakes and dried mango as the "extras". Click here for a specific recipe.

Really, you can use any nut butter, dried fruit, nuts and seeds, or "fun extras" you have on hand. You can't go wrong!

SERVING SUGGESTION

My favorite way to enjoy granola is to make a balanced breakfast parfait. I include my Fundamental Four elements with:

• Protein: plain Skyr or Greek yogurt
• Fats: from the nuts and nut butter in the granola
• Fibre-Filled Carb: the rolled oats in the granola
• Volume: fresh or frozen berries.

If I am not enjoying my homemade granola in a breakfast bowl then I am likely using it as a topping for a smoothie bowl, or let's be honest, having a little snack straight from the jar! Homemade Whole Food Granola makes for a thoughtful edible gift idea, as well!

I hope you enjoy!

I WANNA KNOW!

Did you try this recipe? Comment below! Snap a photo and tag me on Instagram so I can see your creation!