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This Simple Homemade Granola is incredibly quick and easy to make! Made with just six real-food ingredients and no honey, it's naturally vegan and nut-free.

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There really is nothing better than a plain and simple granola. It offers so much versatility and can be enjoyed in so many different ways.

This Simple Homemade Granola is perfectly crunchy with a dash of cinnamon and just the right amount of sweetness. Because of its mild sweetness and subtle flavour, it's excellent for topping on yogurt, making granola bars, adding to homemade trail mix, and is delicious eaten as a cereal. Full disclosure; sometimes, it's even a straight-out-of-the-jar kind of snack!

Is Homemade Granola Healthy?

This Simple Homemade Granola is made without refined sugars and just a handful of minimal whole-food ingredients, making it a much healthier option than the sugar and preservative-laden cereals found in stores.

Plus, oats are a highly nutritious grain. They are full of cholesterol-lowering fibre, heart-healthy nutrients and plenty of restorative properties. Plus, they are an excellent food for aiding in weight loss and blood sugar balance!

Great Source of Fibre

Oats are an excellent source of both soluble and dietary fibre. Unlike many grains, the hulling process leaves both their germ and bran intact. This means the bulk of their fibre and nutrients also remain intact.

Rich in Minerals

Oats are a great source of many minerals. Particularly magnesium. Just one cup of dried oats provides 117 milligrams. That's 36% of the recommended daily value for women!

That's not all! Oats are also a good source of selenium, phosphorous, manganese and iron.

Restorative Properties of Oats

Oats have long been used not just as a staple food but also as medicine! They provide many restorative properties and have been used in numerous ancient traditions and healing practices.

Anti-inflammatory

You might be surprised to learn that oats are a rich source of antioxidants! They even contain a rare group of antioxidants called Avenanthramides. These powerful fighters have been found to reduce inflammation, improve blood flow and lower blood pressure.

Heart Healthy

Between minerals, cholesterol-lowering fibre, and blood pressure-lowering antioxidants, oats (and this Homemade Granola) make a delicious heart-healthy choice!

Supports Digestion

Oats are excellent for digestive support. Thanks to all their intact fibre (particularly beta-glucan), they can help balance blood sugar levels and slow digestion, keeping us feeling full and satiated throughout the day. This makes them a great food to aid in weight loss and for those prone to hunger and cravings in between meals.

Renews Reproductive System

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), they are commonly used to build qi (energy) and blood. This makes them especially beneficial to the reproductive system and menstruating women.

Restores Connective Tissue & Bone Health

As previously stated, they are also an excellent source of minerals (not to mention many other nutrients like folate, silicon and vitamin K) that make them restorative to connective tissues and bone health.

Supports Nervous System

Among being a rich source of minerals and antioxidants, oats are also a great source of many B vitamins such as folate, B6, B5 and niacin. All of which are essential for a healthy nervous system function.

Nutritional Tips

Oats are often a heavily sprayed crop. So, make sure to use organic to make this Homemade Granola even healthier! You can learn more about the benefits of choosing organic here.

If you are celiac or sensitive to wheat, also make sure to choose gluten-free oats! Oats are often grown and hulled alongside wheat and are found to have cross-contaminated particles. Certified gluten-free oats are grown and processed in plants free of wheat and glutenous grains. I like using One Degree's sprouted rolled oats. They are organic, certified gluten-free and glyphosate free! (Affiliate link)

Seasonal Benefits

Oats are one of those foods that can offer benefits and balancing properties in all seasons.

Autumn & Winter

Warming. Oats circulate warmth throughout the body, making them an excellent food to enjoy during the autumn and winter months.

Late Summer (Harvest)

Sweet taste. Oats (and most grains) are considered to have a sweet taste and nourishing quality. Therefore, the harvest season (late summer - early autumn) is the perfect time to enjoy foods like oats to replenish and restore after the heat of summer.

Spring & Summer

Yang. Oats are known as a yang food. Which is that upward and outward, get up and go energy, and is associated with the spring and summer months. 

I should note, eating a balance of both yin and yang foods is essential in every season. However, we can utilize yang foods during the spring and summer months when the days are longer, and we tend to expend more energy. Just as such, we can use yin foods to bring calm and balance to that summery fire.

How to Make Simple Homemade Granola Without Honey

As mentioned above, this Homemade Granola is incredibly simple to make. All you need is five ingredients and about 20 minutes. Watch how it's done here.

Baking Equipment You Will Need

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• Baking Sheet
• Unbleached Parchment Paper
• Airtight Jar / Container
• Mixing Bowl
• Wooden Spoon
• Measuring Cups & Spoons
• Oven

Step 1 - Combine Dry Ingredients

First, preheat your oven to 300°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Then combine two cups of oats, a quarter cup of unsweetened shredded coconut, a quarter teaspoon of cinnamon and a pinch of salt in a large bowl.

Step 2 - Stir in Wet Ingredients

Next, stir in three tablespoons of coconut oil and two tablespoons of pure maple syrup. Mix well, making sure the oats are evenly coated.

Step 3 - Bake

Once all the ingredients are combined, spread evenly onto your parchment-lined baking sheet. Place in the oven and bake for fifteen minutes, stirring halfway through (at about the seven minute mark) for an even bake. Once your granola has slightly browned to a golden colour, it is ready to be removed from the oven.

The coconut will begin to brown first, and the oats will take on a slight golden hue. Don't worry if they don't look toasty enough, they will continue to cook and crisp up as they cool. I used to always make the mistake of over-toasting my granola, and it would always come out with a slightly burnt flavour. So, be sure not to let it brown too much to prevent that from happening!

After you remove your granola from the oven, allow it to cool for a few minutes before handling.

How to Store Homemade Granola

Once your Homemade Granola is cool enough to handle, pour it into an airtight jar to store. I prefer to store mine in glass to prevent any leaching from plastic. I also find glass helps to keep it crunchy and the flavour fresh.

Another great thing about this Simple Homemade Granola is that it won't take up any room in your fridge! You can store it at room temperature. Simply pop it on your pantry shelf for easy access and use.

How Long Does Homemade Granola Last

This Homemade Granola can last up to two months if properly sealed and stored. However, it is best consumed within four weeks and may start to lose its freshness after about three weeks.

You can also freeze this granola for up to three months! However, freezing may slightly reduce the crunchiness.

More Oat Recipes You Might Enjoy

• Peaches and Cream with Crunchy Oat Topping
• Homemade Oat Flour Graham Crackers
• Easy Homemade Blender Oat Flour

If you try this Simple Homemade Granola recipe, let me know how it turns out by leaving a comment and/or a rating below! And make sure you're following along on Pinterest, Instagram and Facebook for more wildly nutritious recipes!

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