Sometimes, when stressed and trying not to eat a whole pizza worth of feelings, I turn to something crunchy. It’s just so dang satisfying and if I’m going to eat my feelings, my jaw should have to work a little for it.
Enter granola. I tend to make it pretty healthful–reaching for honey or maple in place of plain sugar, and filling it with plenty of seeds and nuts for texture and interest. Granola can be as plain-jane as you want it or as crazy as you’d like–it’s versatile that way. This batch is flavored with lots of maple for sweetness and fragrance, olive oil encourages maximum crunchiness, pumpkin makes a subtle earthy appearance, warm spices and toasty nuts + seeds add depth, thick-rolled oats add great chewy-crunchy texture. This granola makes a great pair sprinkled over yogurt or swimming in a bowl of milk. It’s also great, out of hand, for crunching through some stress.
- 3 cups rolled oats
- ½ cup raw walnuts
- ½ cup raw almonds
- ½ cup unsweetened coconut flakes
- ⅓ cup sunflower seeds
- 3 Tablespoons flax seeds
- 3 Tablespoons sesame seeds
- pinch of salt
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground ginger
- ¼ teaspoon allspice
- ¼ teaspoon grated nutmeg
- ½ cup maple syrup
- ⅓ cup olive oil
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 3 Tablespoons plain pumpkin puree
- Preheat oven to 325*F. Line a baking sheet with parchment.
- In a large bowl combine oats, nuts, coconut, seeds, salt, and spices. In a large measuring cup whisk together maple, oil, vanilla, and pumpkin. Pour the maple-pumpkin mixture over the oats mixture and stir to coat well. Spread the mixture onto the baking sheet in an even layer and bake 15 minutes, stir, and continue to bake in 10-15 minutes intervals, stirring well between each, until the granola is uniformly golden and no longer moist. The granola will crisp a bit more as it cools. Store completely cooled granola in airtight containers for 1-2 weeks.
This looks awesome. I want that granola and milk situation for breakfast.
And guuuuuuurl, way to take the high road when eating your feelings. It’s not easy!
Not at all!
I agree on the crunchy granola front, if you’re going to eat feelings, you might as well work for it! I also love love Bob’s Red Mill oats!
yes!
I looove all the spices you put in this. I don’t know if I’ve ever heard of a granola that sounded so flavorful!
Thanks Katie!
I love pumpkin granola! The brand I like is almost $5! This recipe looks healthy and I have most of the ingredients in my pantry, cannot wait to make this! 🙂 Happy Friday!
Nice! I hope you like it, let me know 🙂
Great idea! It looks wonderful. I love Bob’s Red Mill ptoducts but never tried their oats. I’ll have to buy some.
yes! definitely try them out. Thanks Laura!
Um, that image at the top with that type is out of control. Also I need to make this ASAP.
Thanks! Beer for breakfast all day, e’ry day!
Love your granola!! And I agree so much with the eat-your-feelings philosophy, 😉
Last granola I made was chai, with loads of cardamom, oooh… it is soo good 😀
That chai granola sounds AMAZING!