Chia, Coconut, Pumpkin Seed Granola

I’ve been waiting for the hot summer weather to cool a bit so I can turn on the oven and do some baking. My kitchen gets hot when the oven is on and during the summer it’s too warm.

This recipe is easy to double – and I always do. If I’m going through the effort of turning on the oven, I make it worthwhile – especially during the summer months. You don’t want to get stuck without granola!

It’s good for breakfast – especially with a breakfast poured into the bowl – but it’s also good mixed with nuts and dried fruit – and called trail mix. There’s no shame in sprinkling this on on vanilla ice cream either. Just saying.

When I make this recipe, I use a 4-cup clear glass measuring cup. I pour in the olive oil first and then I add a mixture of the sweeteners – honey, brown rice syrup, agave, molasses, and maple syrup. I use some combination of those – and if I have more honey than brown rice syrup, that’s what I use. If I’m out of agave, I skip it. If your honey is solid – follow these tips for softening honey.

It’s easier to combine the liquid ingredients if you warm them a little in a saucepan. I would imagine you could do it in a microwave oven, too, but I don’t have one so don’t take my word for it. Yes, we make popcorn without a microwave and it’s much tastier!

This recipe is very flexible – and forgiving. Add whatever you have on hand. But, make it when it’s cool out.

Every summer I think about the old homes with stoves in the basement and I understand why. The basement is so cool right now. It would the spot to bake in the summer!

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My Mom gave this recipe her thumbs up, too. She’s gluten-free, so I try and make recipes she can cook as well.

Do you turn on your oven when it’s hot out? Do you have an oven in your basement?

Go Gingham related links:

Homemade chocolate chip cookies – I swear these are almost health food!
Homemade granola – easy – made with molasses
Delicious cake to make with apples – excellent cake
The easiest applesauce ever – seriously
What to do with honey that’s hardened

More related links:

My friend, Amie, has many food issues. She writes the blog, The Healthy Apple, and you can find lots of wonderful recipes that are gluten-free and vegan. Plus, she’s adorable!