breakfast• Featured• gluten-free• oatmeal/granola• vegan

Apple Cinnamon Granola

Name: Apple Cinnamon Granola
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 40 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 3 cups rolled oats (gluten-free if necessary); 1 1/2 cups pecans, chopped; 1/2 cup Hemp Hearts; 1 1/2 tsp cinnamon; pinch of sea salt; 1/4 cup coconut oil, melted; 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce; 1/3 cup honey or maple syrup; 1 tsp vanilla extract; 1 egg white, whipped (optional)*; 1/2 cup unsweetened dried apple rings, chopped

September 7, 2020

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An easy fall breakfast recipe for Apple Cinnamon Granola. Packed-full of healthy ingredients like whole-grain rolled oats, pecans and hemp hearts this granola will keep you full all morning long!

There are moments when I find myself so immersed in this health-conscious, foodie-obsessed world that I forget that not everyone else lives in the same bubble that I do. I would say that most of my friends are foodies but then I find myself explaining how to pronounce quinoa (hi Dad!) and remember that I’m probably in the minority when it comes to my food knowledge.

Which brings me to seeds. I am pretty much guaranteed to have most types of seed stocked in my pantry at all times. Hemp, chia, flaxseed… you name it. Which is why this granola recipe is a go-to in our household!

Here’s What You Need:

Rolled oats
Pecans
Hemp hearts
Cinnamon
Coconut oil
Unsweetened applesauce
Honey or maple syrup
Vanilla extract
Egg white – optional but it helps make the granola clump up into bigger clusters!
Unsweetened dried apple rings

What are Hemp Hearts?

I love adding hemp hearts into my apple cinnamon granola but sometimes I feel bad for hemp hearts. I feel like they’re often overshadowed by the more commonly known flax or the always trendy chia. All three are amazingly beneficial for your body but let’s not favour one over the other, okay?!

Hemp hearts have some pretty awesome health benefits. They’re super high in protein (2 tablespoons has about 10 grams of protein!), a good source of omega-3s and 6s as well as a low-carb alternative to other seeds (source). It’s a powerhouse seed that everyone could benefit from.

If you’re new to the world of hemp hearts, try out this Apple Cinnamon Granola! It’s the perfect way to introduce hemp to your diet and also up the protein from your usual granola. And it’s amazing. Need I say more?

How to Make Apple Cinnamon Granola

Making homemade granola is super simple and this apple cinnamon granola is no exception. It’s so much better than store-bought granola in my opinion.

STEP 1: Combine rolled oats, pecans, hemp hearts and cinnamon in a large bowl. Add in the coconut oil, applesauce, maple syrup, vanilla extract and egg white. Stir until the dry ingredients are coated with the wet.

STEP 2: Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat. Spread out the granola mixture on the baking sheet and bake for 15 minutes. Remove from the oven and flip the granola as best you can. Bake for another 15-20 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool completely. Don’t remove from the pan until it’s completely cool!

STEP 3: Mix in the dried apple rings and then store in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks.

What to Eat with Apple Cinnamon Granola

Granola is so versatile! Here are some ways I like to enjoy it:

By the handful… Seriously this granola is delicious and filling on it’s own!
Over yogurt
Sprinkled on a smoothie bowl
On top of frozen yogurt or ice cream
In a bowl topped with milk
As a topping for pancakes, waffles or french toast
Over sliced apples with nut butter