Best homemade granola yet!

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I am always trying to improve our diet and breakfast is such a critical meal as it tends to set the trend for the day. We’ve always eaten porridge as our number one “go to” but when it is as hot as it is in St. Lucia now, its really hard to add anything to the furness. I’d love to have a bowl full of fruit some mornings, but the problem with that is the glycemic index of that meal is very high and because the body breaks it down so quickly, you do not stay satisfied for long.

I came up with this recipe as an amalgamation of many prototypes…..hence the name….It just seems to hit the spot in terms of health benefits, glycemic index, mouth feel and satisfaction. I hope you give it a try.

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My friend Nancy put me onto shelled hemp hearts/hemp seeds when we went on our sailing trip earlier this year. You may remember I made her paleo granola. Hemp seeds are the seeds of the cannabis plant and are mooted as the most nutritious seed on the planet. I find superlatives questionable in most circumstances, but the point is they are very good for you and taste great.

I’ve included a picture of my chopped almonds because I also love these nuts. In this simply delicious homemade granola recipe they get all crunchy and you feel like a special treasure has been delivered to your mouth when a spoonful includes them.

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makes lots of homemade granola goodness : 

500g jumbo oats

1 c fresh grated coconut

4 tbsp sesame seeds

2 tbsp flax seeds or flax seed meal

60g (1/2 c) pumpkin seeds

80g (1/2 c) sunflower seeds

90g (1/2 c) roughly chopped almonds

75g (1/2 c) shelled hemp hearts/hemp seeds

125 ml (1/2 c) coconut oil

60ml (1/4 c) honey

1 tsp salt

1 tsp cinnamon

1 tsp vanilla extract

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Heat the oven to 170ºC (340ºF).

Combine all the dry ingredients in a roomy bowl and mix thoroughly. Add the oil, honey and vanilla extract and try your best to make sure every seed, nut and oat flake have at least a little of their blessing.

Spread evenly in a large roasting tray with low sides and cook for approximately 30 mins stirring often as the 4 edges seem to turn brown quite quickly.

Once the granola has completely cooled it can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for ages.

We usually have ours with a chopped up banana and milk. Sometimes, during the day, I have a spoonful all by itself as it tastes that good.

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21 Comments

  • Reply
    Kylee @ Kylee Cooks
    November 12, 2015 at 8:26 pm

    Looks like a WOMDERFUL start to the day. Delicious!

  • Reply
    Kathrina
    November 12, 2015 at 8:59 pm

    Granola is one of my favorite ways to start the day. I like it with milk or with yogurt, berries, and a drizzle of honey. Your recipe sounds fabulous!

  • Reply
    Shiho
    November 12, 2015 at 9:17 pm

    I am big fan of Granola. I can eat them all day. Thank you for sharing.

  • Reply
    Jenn
    November 12, 2015 at 9:21 pm

    Homemade granola is the best!! Love that you added hemp seeds—love those!

  • Reply
    Heidi @ Food Doodles
    November 12, 2015 at 10:04 pm

    Mmm, this looks so yummy! I love homemade granola so much! I love all the seeds you put in this 🙂

  • Reply
    Molly Kumar
    November 13, 2015 at 9:27 am

    I love homemade granola and absolutely loving the addition of seeds. They make such a great snack or breakfast.

  • Reply
    Annie @ Annie's Noms
    November 13, 2015 at 10:15 am

    Homemade granola is just the BEST! Love all the seeds you packed in here, pumpkin seeds are my favourite!

  • Reply
    Mel@avirtualvegan.com
    November 14, 2015 at 4:31 am

    Homemade granola tastes so much better than store bought. I love all of the healthy ingredients in yours although to make it vegan I would swap out maple syrup for the honey. Looks great!

    • Reply
      Germaine
      November 20, 2015 at 8:07 pm

      Honey would be just fine Mel. In fact I use it often for this recipe…

      • Reply
        Foodie
        May 9, 2016 at 7:30 pm

        Where can i get hemp seeds in st lucia? Im searching high and low.

        • Reply
          Germaine
          May 10, 2016 at 1:29 am

          I tend to bring them home with me. However, I saw hemp powder at GL last week which would work in a pinch…Best to ask the suppliers to bring it in…I always find people are very welcome to such ideas…

  • Reply
    Sophia @veggies dont bite
    November 14, 2015 at 5:18 am

    Isn’t home made granola the best?! I love that you put hemp seeds in yours, they are so great for granola.

    • Reply
      Germaine
      November 20, 2015 at 8:05 pm

      They’re supposed to be the most nutritious too…

  • Reply
    Vicky from @Avocado Pesto
    November 14, 2015 at 1:56 pm

    Sounds delicious! I love adding coconut and hemp seeds to granola – so good! I have a similar granola recipe that is also my favorite made with sliced almonds, oats, coconut flakes – so good!

    • Reply
      Germaine
      November 20, 2015 at 8:05 pm

      Kindred spirits we are Vicky…

  • Reply
    Sarah - Live Eat Learn
    November 15, 2015 at 3:49 am

    I love making granola! I always make mine with quinoa (because I always seem to have way too much leftover quinoa), but I’ll have to try your recipe out!

    • Reply
      Germaine
      November 20, 2015 at 8:04 pm

      I know what you mean about the quinoa, but I’d love it if you would make my recipe and tell me what you think…

  • Reply
    Michelle Chavez
    November 17, 2015 at 9:29 pm

    It does look pretty yummy, it never occurred to me to use sesame seeds! I will try this recipe next time I make granola! 🙂

    • Reply
      Germaine
      November 20, 2015 at 8:03 pm

      I’d love it if you would let me know how you lie the sesame seeds….

  • Reply
    Dilip
    February 10, 2016 at 6:21 am

    Just loved it

    • Reply
      Germaine
      February 10, 2016 at 10:20 am

      I’m glad Dilip. Im about to make a fresh batch today too….

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