Healthy Vegan Granola

I had actually stopped eating cereals and granola when I went plant-based to avoid processed foods and added sugars. With homemade granola, I can combine all the things I already eat and can control the sweetness. All ingredients are from Costco so super cost-efficient over time!

Ingredients

• 2 c old-fashioned rolled oats
• 1/2 c slivered almonds
• 2 Tbsp chia seeds
• 2 Tbsp pumpkin seeds
• 1/4 c chopped pecans
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp sea salt (adjust to taste)
• 1/4 c coconut oil
• 1 Tbsp maple syrup or honey if you eat honey (not necessarily needed)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/4 c chopped dates or other dried fruit

Steps

1. To a mixing bowl, add the first seven ingredients:
   • 2 c old-fashioned rolled oats (I use Bob’s Red Mill 5-Grain Cereal)
   • 1/2 c slivered almonds
   • 2 Tbsp chia seeds
   • 2 Tbsp pumpkin seeds
   • 1/4 c chopped pecans
   • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
   • 1/4 tsp sea salt (adjust to taste) – my pumpkin seeds are salted so I only use 1/4 tsp
2. Mix these dry ingredients together so well-combined
3. In a medium bowl, mix together wet ingredients:
   • 1/4 c coconut oil
   • 1 Tbsp maple syrup or honey if you eat honey (not necessarily needed especially if you add sweetened milk, sugar, or chocolate chips to your serving of granola)
   • 1 tsp vanilla extract
4. Stir together the wet ingredients so all are well incorporated
5. Drizzle the wet mix over the mixing bowl dry mix
6. Spread over a baking pan lined with parchment paper (this prevents the granola from sticking to the pan)
7. Bake at 325ºF for 10 minutes.
8. Mix again and bake another 3-5 minutes. Check on it every 2 minutes to avoid burning!
9. Allow to cool for few hours or even overnight.
10. Add the chopped dried fruit
11. I eat this in some oat milk and topped with fresh fruit (bananas and berries are best) and drizzle of blackstrap molasses