One of the biggest misconceptions I've had about granola was that it needed to have both a lot of fat and a lot of sugar to taste good.
This recipe has revolutionized the traditionally oat-y cereal for me because it contains such a minute amount of both components, and it still tastes absolutely delicious.
One thing that any reader of this blog can be sure of is that I'm working to create recipes with the lowest amounts of sugar possible. More than anything, I feel too much sugar in my diet hinders me the most with energy, with my immune system, my skin, and even my ability to maintain my weight, so it's of the utmost importance that when I do have treats, they be the healthiest they can be in relation to sugar grams.
I can't tell you how many recipes I've tried and made-over that absolutely DO NOT need the stated amount of sugar or sweetener.
Once I re-trained my taste buds (I literally did not have sugar or sweeteners of any kind for five years because of allergies and illness), I found that I could subsist on much less sugar in the treats I made. Even raisins and certain apples can be too sweet for me!
These days, I do indulge in treats much more often than I did at my worst, but I still find that I get 'overloaded' by sweetness quickly. That's why it's important for me to have recipes like this granola, which make eating much more enjoyable.
I love putting a sprinkle of this on top of a smoothie bowl in the morning or eating it with a splash of vanilla hemp milk. It's also great over yogurt, if you can tolerate it.
If you'd like to lower the sugar/carb count, feel free to leave out the raisins. This reduces the sugar to just 4.7 grams per serving and the carbs to 20.1 grams. It's also easy to use another nut or seed in place of the pumpkin seeds to suit your tastes or allergies.
If you're grain-free, give this delicious alternative a try!
Easy Healthy Breakfast Granola
Ingredients
- 2 cups oats
- 2 Tablespoons coconut oil
- 3 Tablespoons maple syrup
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ⅓ cup pumpkin seeds
- ⅓ cup raisins
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 325 degrees.
- Gently heat the oil and maple syrup in a saucepan.
- Stir in the oats, salt, cinnamon, and pumpkin seeds until everything is well coated.
- Pour the mixture onto a parchment paper-lined baking sheet.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, stirring once during this time.
- Cool and add raisins.
Notes
Nutrition
If you have a chance to try this recipe, please leave a star rating and a comment below letting me know how you liked it!
Dana
This looks amazing! Can't wait to try since I've been buying organic granola for my honey for way too long, and most have organic soy or canola oil in them 🙁
Lauren
Thanks Dana! My hubby loved it, so hopefully yours will too! 🙂
Sharon
Looks so tasty! I totally agree about the amount of sugar you see in the majority of recipes. It's so unnecessary! Not to mention the crazy sugar in store bought versions.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Delicious! I love making my own granola 🙂
Gabby @ the veggie nook
I can't believe you were off sugar for 5 years- good on you! I bet there are so many people out there that wouldn't do that even with health issues!
Looks awesome! I love me some homemade granola!
Mike @TheIronYou
A granola made with coconut oil, maple syrup and raisins???? I'm sold! 🙂
Cara Tegler
I love making granola just so I can sample it warm, straight from the oven. Yumm!
Allison @ Clean Wellness
Lauren! I've been working on a granola recipe for my blog for two weeks now and can't seem to nail it. I think I'll just make yours instead! I keep burning mine or it turns out bitter. I think my oven temp is too hot. I'm definitely going to try this recipe and follow your directions 🙂
I don't like granola that's too sweet either, because I usually add fruit to whatever I'm eating it with. I love to top smoothie bowls with it and crumble it on chia pudding for crunch.
Dana Connor
Thank you! Thank you! Finally a recipe without so much sugar! Been searching for a recipe to make for my kids. Take care.
Dana
Lauren
Awesome Dana, I'm so happy you enjoyed it! 🙂
vanessa
Hello, I've tried twice to make granola but everytime I find that the oats have a bitter aftertaste.
Any idea why?
the oats taste good before I bake them.
I left them in the oven for only 20 minutes.
Lauren
Hi Vanessa,
I can't say for sure, but maybe try it without the cinnamon? Some brands can taste as you describe. Hope that helps!
Shirlene
I'm so, SO very pleased I found this recipe - it's perfect and will be a tasty little addition to Chia pudding...smoothie bowls...nice cream...the possibilities are deliciously endless!!
Lauren
So glad you like it Shirlene! 🙂
Kurt
I love this granola! I use my fat laden cow's milk to make it into a satisfying cereal!
Pongodhall
Great recipe. I don't like sweet food either so find it hard to get granola which tends to make me cringe.
So glad you made it incredibly quick and simple.
A definite star of my recipe book.