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This Paleo Granola is loaded with healthy nuts and seeds. It's also crazy delicious, and you won't believe how easy it is to throw together!
"Paleo Granola?" "No thank you." That's probably what I would have said, not long ago.
Do you ever have to eat your words? How about your thoughts? Just wondering... cause I never have that problem.
Oops, excuse me, I might have to stop writing this post because, well, I can't see the screen anymore; my nose is growing. Really long...
Okay, to be honest, I do have that problem occasionally quite frequently.
For example, there was "Google". I remember my son, Nick talking excitedly about Google. It seems like it was a hundred years ago (I mean really, who remembers life before Google?), but it was only about fourteen or fifteen. "What in the world is Google?" I asked him, "That is probably the dumbest word I ever heard".
Then here's a really embarrassing one. When my daughter, Cait announced seven or eight years ago, that she was going to start a blog, that was another dumb word. "Blog?" I mean really, who dreams up words like that?
I'm the dumb one here! Not only do I now have my own blog, but I'm infamous in our family as, "The Google Queen". In fact, a few paragraphs ago, I googled "When did Google start?", so I wouldn't sound so dumb when I told you how many years ago it was that I thought Google was dumb. Sheeeesh!
I have to admit, the same thing occurred when I learned about the "paleo" diet, which promotes "Returning to the diet of our early (paleolithic) ancestors.", meaning lots of lean protein, seeds nuts, berries, fruit, etc. There's nothing wrong with this concept, in fact, we should all be eating more of these healthy foods. There are, however, lots of restrictions with the paleo diet. The exclusions include all refined and processed foods, most grains, legumes (beans and peanuts), dairy, fruit juice, tubers (sweet and regular potatoes) and salt.
I would describe our dietary philosophy here at The Café more along the lines of "balance". We eat healthy for the most part, with a few fun indulgences thrown in. But we do enjoy most of the things that are on the "no-no" list for paleos. We love whole-grain breads and oatmeal, eat lots of Greek yogurt and peanut butter, enjoy fresh orange juice, use all kinds of potatoes (both sweet and regular) and absolutely love bean soups, chilies and all kinds of international cuisines that have legumes (beans) as a staple. And then there's sugar (a refined food product). Although we try to limit our intake, my nose would be crashing through my computer screen, yet again, if I said we didn't enjoy sweet treats (quite obvious in my last post - Best Ever Chocolate Pound Cake).
All this to say, I haven't really given recipes labeled as "paleo" a whole lot of attention, thinking they would be a little too extreme for my more middle-of-the-road style of cooking, and probably not super tasty either. Until now, that is.
Last week I found myself eating my words/thoughts (once again!). My sister, Annie sent me a recipe for Paleo Granola. My first thought was, "Hmmm, probably not." But Annie is one of the most wonderful cooks I know, and in her email, she said, "It's really delicious. I like it better than our fabulous granola recipe."
To myself: "Better than our old standby granola we've been making for a zillion years? Really?"
So I tried it. "Oh, my word!" is what flew out of my mouth when I snitched a little handful right off the sheet pan. It's crunchy, sweet and utterly delicious! I've made it a couple more times, and each time, I adjust it just a bit. The original recipe calls for 3 teaspoons of cinnamon which was a lot for our taste. I reduced the cinnamon to 1 teaspoon and added a pinch of cloves and ginger. I added some extra seeds and nuts and also reduced the coconut oil slightly, with great results.
We've been enjoying this paleo granola on yogurt and oatmeal as well as snacking on it right out of the jar. And speaking of snacking, try this: slice a banana in half, lengthwise. Smear it with peanut or almond butter and scatter a handful of this paleo granola over the top. It's fantastic, and also makes a delicious, quick, and very satisfying breakfast-on-the-run. This same little technique is also great on crisp apple slices.
So there you have it, probably the best granola you've ever had the pleasure of meeting. And, dumb me, I would have turned my nose up at it, if it hadn't been for my sister. Thanks, Annie! I'm truly "eating my words" because I have a feeling that this recipe will go into our "All-time favorites" folder. But you know what? I really don't mind eating my words, if it involves something as crazy delicious as this Paleo Granola.
Now, if I could just figure out a way to keep this nose of mine out of trouble! Hmmm..
Café Tips for making this Paleo Granola...
- Feel free to experiment with different types of nuts and seeds. Keep the total proportion about the same, but have fun with your favorites. A favorite combination of ours is 2 cups sliced almonds, 2 cups slivered almonds, 1 cup broken up pecans, 1 cup sunflower seeds and ½ cups sesame seeds.
- The spices are quite flexible. We like this combination, but you could also use nutmeg, allspice, pumpkin pie spice or apple pie spice in amounts to suit your taste.
- Sometimes I make it with no spices, just a little extra vanilla, it's wonderful that way too!
- One last thing, if you like your granola more clumpy, don't stir it right after it comes out of the oven. Just let it cool on the sheet pan and then break it apart.
- If you like it looser, give it a good stir when it comes out of the oven and again after about 10 minutes.
- 2 cups blanched sliced almonds
- 1 cup pecans
- 1 cup chopped walnuts
- 1 cup sunflower seeds
- 1 cup pepitas shelled pumpkin seeds
- ¼ cup sesame seeds
- ¼ cup ground flax seed or flax seed meal you can also use almond meal in place of the flax
- ¾ cup unsweetened coconut flakes
- ½ cup honey
- 6 tablespoons coconut oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon cloves
- ½ teaspoon ground ginger
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¾ to 1 cup dried cranberries raisins or other dried fruit
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Preheat oven to 275˚F. Lightly grease a sheet pan or, for easy clean up, line a sheet pan with parchment paper or foil. If you use foil, lightly grease it.
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Combine all the nuts and seeds as well as the coconut in a large bowl.
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Over low heat, combine honey and coconut oil until heated through. (You can also heat the honey and coconut oil in the microwave on high heat for 90 seconds.) Remove from heat and stir in vanilla, cinnamon and cloves, ginger and salt.
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Pour over nut/seed mixture and mix well. Be sure to scrape all the good honey/oil mixture that's left in the bowl. Spread mixture onto prepared baking sheet.
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Bake for about 45 minutes or until golden brown (may take longer, depending on your oven), stirring every 15 minutes to keep granola at the edges of the pan from burning. Watch carefully after 30 minutes as ovens vary. Once the granola is a nice golden brown, remove it from oven and allow to cool.
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Add dried fruit after granola has cooled.
Susan says
I think I would have been a good forager of nuts and seeds if I had lived in the paleolithic era. I love them and try to include a few nuts and seeds in my diet every day. Frankly, I never new what paleo stood for in the paleo diet - now I know 🙂 This granola sounds wonderful and I love the ground ginger in this recipe.
Sandra says
With all the sugar floating around here I have been very curious about paleo. However, like you I don't want to give up my whole grains and tubers. When I track down some sulfite free dried fruit this granola will be all mine!
Betty says
I love all of the crunchies in this! My nephew is all about the paleo diet, and he's one of the healthiest people I know. I'm with you...moderation is the key! I'd love this on my yogurt or oatmeal for breakfast in the morning. 🙂
Maria says
Chris, the granola has cooled enough that I just spooned some over yogurt and my-oh-my, is it ever fabulous! I have a favorite granola recipe I make, but this trumps it. It's nearly the same as my other recipe except the oats are omitted, but I really like the crunchiness with all those nuts and seeds. Yum!!
Liz says
Uh, oh. I love granola. Especially homemade granola. And if you say this is the best, I know it is terrific!! And all those nuts and seeds??? Swooning.
Shannon says
I hate to mention, but ... I have to. At the beginning of your post you stated the rules for the "Paleo diet", and said that you would not like it. Then you went on to talk about how you are surprised you actually like this "Paleo Granola"... After making it, posting the recipe, and talking about the ironies of names, words &such, I am surprised that you didn't mention that this "Paleo Granola" is "Paleo" in name only. I guess that you must not have noticed, as you did state you were surprised that you actually liked this "Paleo" granola. If the rules for the diet are correct, it should not be surprsing that you like this recipe, as "Paleo" it is not. The irony lies in that this granola is named and considered "Paleo" ..it contains salt. I would be willing to venture that coconut oil, matter how natural, is not technically "Paleo" either. Though I am just guessing on this one. I hate to be a spoil-sport, but.. you thought you wouldn't like it in the first place, right?
Chris Scheuer says
Hi Shannon,
Yup, it's true, I have to eat my words so many times. And you're also correct that I did adapt this just a bit to our preferences. That's one of my favorite parts of cooking!
But I do have to say,like any other diet, paleo has the so called "experts" differing on the rules. Some say no salt and some say just not iodized salt.
This is what one paleo proponent says about salt: Salt: Do not use iodized salt, go for sea salt instead if you need it. I say this based on the fact that sea salt requires less processing, not because of the iodine. You can have a little salt, but as salt was not common in the Paleo era, it should not be common in your diet.
Coconut oil is definitely exceptable, in fact it's many paleo's favorite oil. Here's what they say about oil. Yes to Oils: Good oils to use (and use them plenty) include coconut (our favorite for cooking), palm, avocado, sesame, grape seed, and olive oil. Avoid corn, cottonseed, peanut, soybean, rice bran, and wheat germ oils. Avoid any foods made with these oils (yes, that means in foods like chips and mayo…whether it is organic or not).
Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment, I love hearing from different points of view. It keeps me on my toes.
Kind Regards,
Chris
spoon stories says
What can I say?You always give your best of you! Amazing photos^^
Valya @ Valya' s Taste of Home says
This granola looks delicious! Google - very funny. lol.
Vicki Bensinger says
I love making granola but I think I might like your recipe now better. I can't wait to try it, I have all your ingredients on hand.
Laura (Tutti Dolci) says
Granola is my all time favorite breakfast (or midnight snack!). I have a feeling I'd have to keep myself from eating far too many servings of this gorgeous granola in one sitting!
Tricia @ Saving room for dessert says
I'm with Angie - I've never understood why grains and legumes are not allowed on the Paleo diet. They sure are lucky this granola is approved because it looks amazing! Beautiful combination of all the naturally great ingredients that we love!
Julia | JuliasAlbum.com says
Delicious granola - so healthy, gluten free, and even paleo! So funny about Google and Blog - I bet nobody is laughing now that you have your own pretty good looking and successful blog!
Debra says
I can relate to a lot of what you said. Especially the blog part. 🙂 I do have to say that Paleo leaves a bad taste in my mouth because of a crazy relative who is super Paleo......but I will definitely try this. I see this as a delicious snack, Love the banana/peanut butter idea!
Claire @ Claire K Creations says
Well I'm glad you ate your words and gave this one a go. Looks rather delicious to me!
Stacy | Wicked Good Kitchen says
Beautiful photography! Balance with diet is definitely the key, isn't it Chris? Thank goodness for sisters! I'm so glad your sister turned you on to Paleo Granola. It's scrumptious. At our house both paleo granola and paleo porridge are popular, and I cannot wait to try your recipe! It is amazing how you can make granola with less oil...whether traditional or paleo. Sometimes a little apple butter, apple sauce or pumpkin butter is fun to add, too, along with spices. Thank you for mentioning my blog, my friend. You are so sweet! Definitely pinning (and making) this wonderful granola! xo
Angie says
I just love your blog and your recipes, and this granola looks deelish for sure!! I will definitely be making it very soon, probably with my favorite dried fruit -- cherries, yum! Thanks so much for sharing! 🙂
sue|theviewfromgreatisland says
I love all the nuts and seeds you packed into this one, and glorious pics, as usual 🙂
Cathy at Wives with Knives says
I have granola and yogurt every morning for breakfast. Your recipes looks so much more interesting than mine, Chris. I'm going to try it for sure. I'm not sure I understand the whole paleo thing, but if this is an example of it I think I would like it.
Charlotte Moore says
This looks delicious no matter what the name is. HA!!!
Ginny Hartzler says
It looks mouth watering, and that is the first time I have said that about granola! In fact, I used to make granola all the time when I was a young mom. My brother-in-law went on a paleo diet years ago.
Susan says
This looks wonderful. I see the dried cranberries. Did you add those after the baking?
Ginny says
I may be missing something - but how much flax seed/almond meal. Can't wait to make. Due to my daughter's tastbuds, will make it non-paleo and sub oatmeal for coconut. Should still be delish (and healthy, in moderation). Thank you.
Chris Scheuer says
Ginny, it's 1/4 cup of flax seed or almond meal. Enjoy!
Martha says
Oh my! This does look yummy! I may have to swallow a few of my words/thoughts and give it a go! 🙂
Angie@Angie's Recipes says
I never understood why legume ain't allowed in paleo... I prefer a balanced diet. Your granola looks superb!
John@Kitchen Riffs says
Balance describes our diet too. Well, until we splurge on something and become unbalanced. 😉 Anyway, not much of a granola person, but really like this paleo granola. So much flavor! Loads of fun textures. And the photographs are gorgeous! Really nice recipe (and fun post). Thanks.