Have you ever noticed some people thrive first thing in the morning, while others need a little more time to adjust? Well, I am definitely the latter. One thing that always helps is having something easy, and delicious ready to eat like this Cinnamon Raisin Nut Granola.
I love to make a batch of this granola to keep the hunger at bay all week. It makes the perfect breakfast, snack, or dessert. Try it with some coconut yogurt, ice-cold almond milk, or on its own for a healthy boost of energy.
Another great reason to make your own granola is to control the sugar content. Many store-bought granolas are loaded with so much sugar, you’d be better off eating a bowl of ice cream for breakfast. Nothing against ice cream for breakfast, but let’s be honest, that’s not an everyday thing. I hope.
What to put in your Cinnamon Raisin Nut Granola?
Now, you can get super creative here with what goes inside the granola. What I like to do is think of cereals or desserts I like and use that as a guideline. For example, this recipe was inspired by my love of Sunmaid Cinnamon Raisin Swirl Bread.
The base of any granola is of course quality old-fashioned oats. If you are sensitive to gluten, I recommend buying oats that are specifically gluten-free just to be safe.
For the nuts, I went with cashews and almonds. Both are excellent sources of plant-based protein and heart-healthy fats to keep you satisfied for hours. I chose to keep them whole for this recipe, but feel free to chop or slice them up for a different kind of texture.
Flax seeds, sesame seeds, and chia seeds add some more healthy fats, and omega 3’s to the mix. I will usually add whatever seeds I have on hand to my granola, it’s such an easy way to sneak in extra nutrients.
Coconut oil lends a subtle flavor to this granola and helps with crunch, while maple syrup adds the perfect amount of natural sweetness with the helpful addition of antioxidants and minerals. Feel free to use honey if you are not vegan, however, I find for this recipe the maple works best.
You cant make this particular granola without cinnamon and raisins. They are the stars of this recipe and they make the perfect pair. Warming cinnamon and chewy raisins are what make me think of that cinnamon swirl loaf I mentioned earlier.
Once you get into making your own granola, you will never go back to the store-bought stuff again. The variations are endless and oh so delicious. The only problem you might have is stopping at just one bowl.
Cinnamon Raisin Nut Granola
Ingredients
- 2 cups oats old fashioned
- 1 cup raw cashews whole
- ¼ cup raw almonds whole
- 2 tbsp ground flax seeds
- 2 tbsp white sesame seeds
- 1 tbsp chia seeds
- 2 tsp ground cinnamon
- ⅛ tsp salt
- ¼ cup coconut oil melted
- ⅓ cup maple syrup
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
- ½ cup raisins any variety
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 325° and line a large baking tray with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl mix the oats, cashews, almonds, flax seeds, sesame seeds, chia seeds, cinnamon, and salt until combined.
- Add the coconut oil, maple syrup, and vanilla extract. Mix until dried ingredients are well coated.
- Pour mixture onto the parchment-lined baking tray. Smooth over to ensure an even layer.
- Bake for 20 minutes, remove from oven and give it a good stir.
- Bake for another 15-20 minutes, or until the mixture is golden brown.
- Remove from oven and let cool for 20 minutes.
- Once cooled, break apart with your hands or spoon. Store in an air-tight container or enjoy immediately.
