Simple Healthy Nutty Granola – No Refined Sugar

I LOVE granola, it is one of my breakfast and snack staples.  My kids love granola as a snack or with their yogurt too. What I do not love is how much added sugar/sweetener is in most packaged brands.  Many packaged brands can have more sugar than packaged desserts!  You can read here on why it is important to make your own and/or what to look for when shopping for granola.  This article helps rank popular granola brands based on their nutritional/sugar content.  

Granola is something I like to make because I like to be able to control the sugar in it.  Based on 1/4 cup serving, this recipe only has 2 grams of sugar!  My simple healthy nutty granola is flexible, low in sugar, and based on your own favorites.  Comment if you try it and tell me what your favorite combination is!  If you have a nut allergy I have a nut free easy granola recipe as well!

Simple Nutty Granola

• 3 cups oats (I love the Trader Joes ones)
• ¼ cup flax seed
• 2 tbsp oil (canola or avocado – you can also use coconut or olive oil but they will change the taste of the granola)
• 2 tsp vanilla
• 1/2 tsp almond extract (optional)
• 2-4 tbsp maple syrup or honey
• 1 cup chopped mixed nuts and seeds (we like cashews, walnuts, sliced almonds and pumpkin seeds)
• 1/2 cup dried fruit (optional)

1. Pre-heat oven to 325
2. Whisk oil, maple syrup and vanilla
3. Mix together oats, flax and nuts and seeds in a medium bowl
4. Add wet ingredients and mix through
5. Spread mixture on a lined 11×17 pan
6. Bake for 20 mins – stir and rotate pan half way through baking time
7. Let cool 5-10 minutes