Nutty Gluten-Free Granola

I am an absolute granola fiend. I find myself with a new bag of granola, and eat half of it in 10 minutes no problem. Except, that is a problem…store-bought granola can be expensive! Something we often forget is how simple granola is to make!! I whipped up this quick and easy Nutty Granola with ingredients I already had in my kitchen. No point in buying store-bought, when you can make your own! I hope you enjoy!

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Ingredients:

• 3 cups gluten-free rolled oats (I buy mine at Trader Joe’s)

• 1/2 cup nut butter (I like almond, cashew, peanut or sunflower)

• 1/2 cup pecan pieces

• 1/4 cup unsweetened coconut flakes

• 1/4 cup melted coconut oil

• 3-4 tablespoons maple syrup or honey

• 2 tablespoons chia seeds

• 2 tablespoons flax seed or hemp seeds

• 1 teaspoon cinnamon

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• 1/2 teaspoon sea salt

Optional to add after baking: dried fruit (raisins, mango, pineapple), chocolate chips/chunks

Preparation:

1. Preheat your oven to 325F.

2. In a bowl, combine your dry ingredients (oats, coconut, chia seeds, cinnamon, pecan pieces, salt).

3. To that bowl, add wet ingredients (almond butter, coconut oil, maple syrup/honey, vanilla). Mix thoroughly.

4. Once oven is preheated, place granola mixture onto a parchment-lined baking sheet. Using a spatula, flatten ingredients into one large mass. Use a small enough baking sheet that there are no spaces between the granola.

5. Bake for 20-25 minutes, until lightly golden

6. Allow granola to rest until fully cooled before breaking apart. This should give you some large chunks!

7. Enjoy!

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