Family Recipe: Dad’s Healthy Granola

When visiting my dad in Southern Cal, I know there will always be two things: homemade granola and basketball on TV.  And I am so ok with these two things. Who doesn’t like something healthy while watching the best tv sport around? So I’d like to honor my fantastic dad by sharing his recipe smack dab between fathers day and his birthday (July 15). Check it out below with his fun notes on how to do it right!  

• 1 cup coconut oil liquid- coconut oil is the best (www.tropicaltraditions.com), super healthy, but does not liquefy above 70 degrees, so in this case I melt it in the oven first. Sunflower or canola oil can also be used.
• 1 ¼ cup honey
• ¼ cup molasses
• 1 tbsp vanilla
• 1 cup ground flax seed- I suggest grinding your own in a coffe grinder. It’s much fresher and inexpensive.
• 1  cup raw ground almonds -This can also be ground in coffee grinder but leave it chunky to add a crunch.
• ¾ cup raw sunflower seeds – can add whole or grind partially like almonds
• ¾ cup wheat bran (or oat bran)
•  6 cups whole oats
• 2 1/2 cups dried cranberries (or blueberries) 
• 1/2 cup hulled raw sesame seeds

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. In large stockpot combine coconut oil, honey, molasses, and vanilla. Heat on low/medium until liquefied.  Remove from heat and add flax seed, almonds, sunflower seeds, oat or wheat bran, whole oats, dried cranberries or blueberries and sesame seeds. Stir well. 

Spread mixture thinly on cooking sheet and bake for 18-20 minutes. When granola begins to turn brown around the edges, remove and let cool before putting in storage container. Repeat 2 more times.