Valentine's Day Granola

Granola is delicious. Granola given as a gift is super special and granola given or received on Valentine's Day is amazing! This granola is the perfect way to show someone how much you care! Its delicious, easy to make and give as a gift, and it also happens to be healthy! What more is there to love?!

Homemade gifts are so much better than store bought ones! They are always from the heart, because you put your time and effort into them, and you put thought into what to make. Giving a homemade gift on Valentine's Day is the best way to show your love!

A lot of granola recipes have a few standard ingredients in them. Butter, Honey, and Oats. Some use coconut oil or other types of oils, and some might use a differnt form of sweetener, but usually they are all about the same. I took out the butter and added in banana and I used maple syrup instead of honey. Becasue of those changes, this recipe is vegan, low in fat, refined sugar free, and packed full of fiber and protien!

The Recipe

1 ripe Banana- mashed
4-5 TBS Maple Syrup
3 tsp Nutmeg
4 tsp Cinnamon( Good for the heart!)
1/2 tsp Salt
2 tsp Vanilla
1/4 cup Chia Seeds
5 cups Rolled Oats ( to make this recipe gluten-free, use gluten-free oats!)
1/2 cup Quinoa
Raisins
Dried Apples( or mix-ins of your choice. Sliced or Crushed nuts like almons, pecans, walnuts or cashews. Ground Flax seed, Flaked Dried Coconut, Dried cranberries or blueberries, seeds like pumpkin, sesame, or sunflower, or freeze-dried fruits like raspberries or strawberries!)

-- Nuts, Seeds and coconut flakes can be added before baking. Anything else needs to be added after baking.

First, mash the banana and add  the maple syrup, nutmeg, cinnamon, salt and vanilla to it. Mix well with a whisk.  Then add in the oats, quinoa and chia seeds. Make sure to stir well and get everything evenly coated.  If you are adding nuts, seeds or flax seeds, you can add them in now.

Preheat your oven to 400 F. Lay the raw granola out on a baking sheet and spread it as evenly as possible. Bake for 30 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes. Make sure to flatten out the granola after each stir.

 

Once it is all toasty and golden brown, its done! Your home will smell amazing! You could leave it how it is, but to add to the amazing-ness, lets add a few more things! I added a few handfuls of raisins and dried apple chips, but feel free to add what ever you want.

Stir the ingredients together and then let the mixture cool completely! I usually have a few bites while it is cooling! I just can't help myself!

 

Once it has cooled, you can store it in air-tight containers. I like to use mason jars, but plastic would work just as well! Also, using pretty containers makes gift-giving even easier!

 

 

I know I would be thrilled to receive a jar of homemade granola for Valentine's Day! I can't imagine anyone complaining about getting a home--made, from-the-heart gift anytime of the year! They just are so special!

 

Whether you give this as a gift to your specail someone on Valentine's Day or you keep it for yourself, this granola is amazing! You will want to keep this recipe some where safe! :)

 

 

I love to eat granola on smoothie bowls and oatmeal, over dairy-free ice-cream or banana-ice-cream, or just with a splash of almond milk as a cereal! Its the perfect way to start your day becasue it is full of protein, fiber, healthy sugars, and even cinnamon( which is good for your heart!). It also makes a great snack or even dessert!

If you liked this recipe, please let me know, and share it with your friends and family! Spread the love and give this as a gift for Valentine's Day or anyday!

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I post every Friday!

Happy Valentine's Day!

H.Banana