Who loves granola? Well, who doesn’t is the better question!

You probably already know this, but shop-bought options, with some exceptions on the pricier side, are not a great idea to consume regularly. Or at all.

They are usually loaded with sugar, have additives and/or inflammatory cheap oils. If you did nothing else for your health, but upgraded from refined sugar and industrial oils, you’ll see big changes for the better.

⠀⠀⠀ ⠀What about cereals? I am usually not a fan of the health army telling us ‘you should eat this and not this’, however, in this case, it’s a big NO. There is nothing even remotely natural in cereals, despite the various TV adverts telling us otherwise (most foods that come with an advert are best avoided in my opinion).

Cereals are a highly processed, food-like category and are loaded with anything and everything artificial that our bodies just don’t recognise. Think of them as chemical concoctions made up in a lab.

  WHY HOME-MADE GRANOLA?

>> Whole food ingredients

>> You control the quality of the ingredients

>> You make it the flavour you desire

>> No added anything – no flavour enhancers, no processed stuff, no preservatives

>> Super easy to make

>> It keeps well for at least 4 weeks in a tightly closed jar

>> Way cheaper than similar products you’d find in your health shop

>> You only need a small amount and you’re full – real, highly nutritious ingredients

One word: YUM! It can be adapted for Paleo – just substitute the millet flakes with more coconut flakes/nuts and omit the dried fruit. You don’t need to be super precise with the ingredients and you can play around with the quantities if you wish (it’s how I cook basically!), but do include the lemon – the taste is devine! Little tummies love it too!

Also, use less nuts if you wish and/or more coconut flakes. This recipe is super calorie dense so you’d only need a small amount. Alternatively, the granola can be sprinkled over a roasted pumpkin, roasted apples & pears, etc. You get the idea.

1. 150g millet flakes (or quinoa flakes/gluten free rolled oats)

2. 300g nuts and seeds – I used almonds, brazil nuts, pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds

3. 50g unsweetened coconut chips

4. 100g unsweetened desiccated coconut

5. 50g cacao nibs

6. 80g honey/maple syrup

7. 50g liquid coconut oil

8. 2-3 tsp ground cinnamon

9. 1/2 tsp fine sea salt

10. Zest of an 1 organic lemon

Optional: a handful of goji berries or any other dried fruit you like

PREPARATION

1. Preheat oven to 150-160C/320F

2. Chop all nuts either by hand or in a food processor – you want pieces of nuts so be careful to not process them too much

3. Mix in the rest of the dry ingredient

4. Add in the honey and coconut oil and mix thoroughly

5. Bake in a greased/lined baking tray for about 30 mins or so depending on your oven. Stir every 10 mins

6. Let the granola to cool completely and then add the dried fruit (if using)

7. Best to store it in a jar. It will keep for 3-4 weeks at room temperature and longer in the fridge