Melissa's Homemade Granola Recipe

I love granola on my yogurt....it gives it a crunchy and nutty flavor that just goes great with yogurt.  Since I have been making my own homemade yogurt I have really been wanting some granola to put on top.   But...as you know most of the store bought granola is not only expensive, but loaded with fat and sugars.   So after researching and checking out about a million recipes....(well not really a million...closer to like 20)  LOL
I came up with this recipe just winged it today and made some up and it is so good!!   *if I do say so myself*

Here is what you need.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees
line a cookie sheet w/ and edge on it w/ silpat or parchment.  (don't spray the pan cause we are trying to avoid adding extra fat calories)
In a bowl mix together
1/3 cup raw sunflower seeds (no shell)
1/3 cup raw Pumpkin seeds (no shell)  *these are also known as Pepitas*
1/3 cup sliced raw almonds
2 cups old fashioned rolled oats

Place this all evenly on the cookie sheet and bake on 350.  **the goal here is to toast the nut/oat mixture so check it and toss it around every few minutes.  They won't come out really dark, but you should be able to smell it giving off a toasty smell**


In a small saucepan combine
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 cup Agave nectar  (you could also use honey here as well)
1 tbsp coconut oil
2 tbsp Demerara Sugar
1 tsp vanilla
**heat on very low just until coconut oil is melted and and the sugar crystals are dissolved**

Remove oat mix from oven and carefully put back in bowl while still warm.   Pour the coconut oil/agave mixture on top and stir in well...it might not look like enough but it is plenty.  Coat the oat/nut mixture well.
Put the mix back onto the silpat lined baking sheet and bake at 350 degrees for about 15-20 minutes.  Checking it a time or two.   Toss it around once and spread it back out to cover the pan.
Remove from oven and let cool in the pan.   When cooled you can lift one corner of the silpat and use it to crumble the granola into small clusters.

Place in an airtight container and use for cereal or toppings for yogurt or ice cream.
If you want to add fruit to your granola...you should just add it when you are ready to eat or else it will make your granola soggy and lose it's crunch.

Makes 8  (1/4 cup) servings at approx 180 calories per serving

ENJOY!!!



4 Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant 5or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; 6it does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth. 7It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. I Corinthians 13:4-7