Homemade Granola

When I think of granola I think of warm, freshly baked granola like you would get in a breakfast cafe on top of your yogurt parfait. I've tried multiple store bought granola's and none even come close... not to mention the SUGAR and PRESERVATIVES that's all blended into those once healthy oats! YUCK. Plus those bags of granola are PRICEY!!!

Naturally, I grabbed everything in my pantry I could find that might make the perfect granola and was kind of amazed by how much stuff I had! (Ingredients Hoarder?)

I decided to pop my amaranth which gives it a soft popcorn like texture only in itty bitty pieces! This is my favorite ingredient when I make granola bars. 

To Make Popped Amaranth-

• You'll need about 2 tbsp amaranth (1 tbsp raw = 1/3 cup popped)

1. Heat a stainless steel small or medium pot over medium-high heat. A taller sided pot with a lid works best 
2. Test if the pot is hot enough by adding a drop of water. If it instantly ball up and kind of does a little dance around the pot you're good to go!
3. Once fully heated, add in your raw amaranth then cover with a lid and quickly shimmy/slide the pot back and forth just above the burner. If your heat is set correctly it should start popping within 1-3 seconds and finish popping within 10 seconds. WARNING: It burns VERY quick so be careful!!!

I wish I would've gotten pictures of this but I was too focused on making sure it didn't burn... SORRY!

Now on to the good stuff...

Homemade SUGAR FREE Granola 

Ingredients-

• 2/3 cup popped amaranth 
• 1 cup raw almonds
• 1 cup toasted pumpkin seeds 
• 2/3 cup pistachios 
• 1 cup raw cashews
• 2 cups gluten free rolled oats 
• 8 dates, pitted, and chopped into small pieces 
• 2/3 cup GO RAW choco crunch (I used this one )
• 1/4 cup flax seeds 
• 1/2 cup cocoa nibs 
• 1 tbsp. cinnamon (feel free to add more!)
• 1 tsp. ground ginger 
• 1 tsp. nutmeg
• 1 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce 
• 1/4 cup melted coconut oil (I use this one ) 

To make-

1. Preheat oven to 350 F.
2. Combine all ingredients {EXCEPT THE APPLESAUCE & COCONUT OIL) together in a large bowl and mix well.  
3. In a small bowl, mix your coconut oil and apple sauce together and pour over the oat mixture. Once well coated, transfer your granola from the large bowl to a large baking dish. The bigger the better!
4. Place the baking dish in the oven and bake for 45 minutes stirring once in between. If your liquid is not fully evaporated and your nuts aren't quite golden, stir again and bake for another 15 minutes. 
5. Store in a GLASS container with a tight lid (still lovin' my mason jars!)

You can use the granola as cereal, top it on yogurt, or if you want to be like me, add it on top of your already amazing cottage cheese pancakes with protein icing! I promise you'll be drooling over it. Don't believe me? Here's a little preview...

Recipe for my pancakes will be up soon! :)