{Recipe} Coconut Almond Granola

With spring comes new life, crocuses poking through the earth, birds chirping, and a fresh reminder that warmer days are coming. Spring also brings Easter, and with Easter come houseguests! Whenever I have guests come to stay I try to have a few little treats in the house, homemade or otherwise. Homemade granola is one of my favorite treats to keep in stock, and today I'm sharing my recipe with you!

This isn't necessarily a health food, but it makes a really yummy breakfast with milk and berries, or sprinkled on a little greek yogurt. Sweet and crunchy, kids and adults alike will love this stuff. Here's what you'll need:

Ingredients:

3 cups old fashioned or quick oats
1 cup sliced almonds
1 cup coconut (sweetened or unsweetened, your choice)
1/3 cup brown sugar
1/2 tsp salt
1/3 cup honey (substitute maple syrup or agave for babies under 1!)
3 T coconut oil
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

Method:

Preheat your oven to 350*.
Optional step: quickly toast your almonds on a cookie sheet. This ads some nice depth of flavor but I skipped this step today.

In a large bowl, combine your oats, almonds, coconut, salt, and sugar into an even mixture. I prefer to use my hands for mixing throughout this recipe but feel free to use a spoon or spatula if you don't want to get dirty.

In a small glass bowl, add your honey and coconut oil and heat until oil is melted. Add vanilla extract and cinnamon to the bowl and mix with a fork.
Pour the honey mixture over the oats and use your hands to work evenly through until the oat mix is uniformly damp.
Spread your mixture out on a nonstick baking sheet (I used my silicone mats, of course!) and bake for 5 minutes at a time, turning and stirring in between, until you reach desired color. I baked my granola for 15 minutes total. Allow granola to cool on the baking sheet
Note that the granola will not be crunchy when it comes out of the oven- it will crisp up as it cools. Store in a sealed bag or bowl for serving throughout the next few weeks, if it lasts that long!

We love this recipe, and it is so customizable to your tastes! Here are some different serving options-

• Add chopped dried fruit, such as cranberries, apricots, or banana chips
• Mix with M&Ms and nuts for a DIY trail mix
• Spread apple slices with peanut butter and dunk in granola. Makes a great afternoon snack!
• Layer with yogurt and berries in mason jars for a pretty parfait
• Sprinkle over ice cream for a yummy sweet crunch

I hope you give this recipe a shot and enjoy it! Let me know if you do, and comment below, how do you impress your houseguests? What special things do you do to treat the people you love? Thanks for reading.

xo Allison