Coconut Almond Granola

I absolutely love granola! It’s one of my favorite breakfast-snack hybrids.

It’s crunchy, sweet, and delicious.

However, it’s one of those sneaky little devils that is presumed to be really healthy but it’s typically packed with calories, sugar, and fat.

Most store-bought granola has the same nutritional value as a cookie… I don’t know about you, but for the same nutritional value, I’d much rather eat a cookie than granola.

The best way to remedy that problem is to make your own granola, and fortunately, it’s surprisingly easy.

I am one of those people that loves making things myself, so I know exactly what’s in it. Plus, I hate feeling like I am consuming unnecessary things {added sugar, preservatives,etc.}

People often go crazy with the amount of sugar and/or fat in their granola and turn it from something that could be really healthy {high in fiber with a mixture of healthy carbohydrates and fat} into something that is incredibly not. Do a quick search for granola recipes and you’ll see how much sugar and fat goes in there. It’s kinda ridiculous. And, like I said earlier, I’d just rather eat a cookie.

Which brings me to the main reason I make my granola – to control ingredients while still having a tasty snack and/or breakfast.

I love the combination of almond and coconut. It’s incredibly underrated and I feel like it’s my mission to help spread the word that it rocks. And you need to try it in this granola.

The coconut almond combo is magical with a hint of maple syrup and a touch of saltiness to bring out that sweet & salty flavor.

After many {many!} tries, I feel as though I have perfected my formula for making granola. Sticking to around 1/4 cup added sugar and using coconut water or apple juice really helps keep the sugar down. The addition of almond and vanilla extracts also enhances the sweetness without adding much sugar.

One of my favorite granola making tips is to bake it at a low temperature so it doesn’t burn. I bake it for about one hour, stirring occasionally. Then I turn off the oven and let the granola get nice & crispy as it cools.

You can enjoy this guilt-free granola straight from the jar as a quick snack or breakfast, but my favorite way to enjoy it is paired with plain Greek yogurt for a little added protein – yum!

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