How to Make Granola

Healthy granola, yes please!

However this wasn’t always the case. I used to be terrified to keep granola in my home. I tied so much fear towards food and my weight that my cabinets were usually empty.

I knew this was a problem. I was exhausted from only eating foods that I labelled safe and healthy. I no longer got any enjoyment out of food. Not to mention it was exhausting thinking about my food. But I figured that if I could just fix my issue with my food my life would go back to normal.

That food was the problem. That if I started to enjoy food I would just eat it all. And that was scary.

As I share on A Kind Spoon, food wasn’t the answer to my problems. I had deep emotions that I kept pushing down. I feared that if I wasn’t skinny I would not be seen as attractive and loveable. So I found it easier to restrict and punish myself.

Yet when I started to do simple daily practices where I thought about my emotions, I found that I was slowly becoming more gentle and kind towards myself. This in turn would later help me become comfortable with more food.

Now when I share recipes, I want you to know that I spend hours looking for recipes online. I think about each ingredient and find healthier alternatives. That’s why I love sharing how to make this granola recipe. It’s gluten free, butter free, and naturally sweetened with a nice crunch.

Check out my video where I show you how easy it is to make granola.

You’ll want to first preheat the oven to 300F / 150 C.

Soak your dates for 5-10 minutes in a bowl of water. This will help soften up the dates and allow our ingredients to all stick together.

In a food processor, combine the medjool dates, peanut butter, water, cinnamon, vanilla, and salt.

Blend until smooth and thick. If it’s a little chunky that’s okay. Set aside.

In a large mixing bowl, combine the oats and seeds. The oats and seeds in this granola recipe will give it that nice crunch.

Add the date mixture to the dry ingredients, and mix until evenly coated.

Line a baking pan with parchment paper. Spread out the granola evenly. Bake for 15 – 20 minutes at 300F. Make sure you set a timer so you don’t forget about this granola goodness baking in the oven.

After 15 minutes, check on the granola and stir with a spatula so the edges don’t burn. Note that if you like granola clusters you don’t want to stir too much as it breaks up the chunks. When done, the granola should be golden.

Let the granola cool before transferring to an airtight jar.

When ready to eat, add it as a topping to a breakfast smoothie or plant based yogurt. This has become a favorite granola recipe in my home. I just love the date, peanut butter, and seed combo in this granola recipe. The flavors and textures compliment each other brilliantly.

Hope you enjoy trying out how to make homemade granola too! And when you do, let me know in the comments below.

Don’t forget to check out our homemade granola bars! They only take 15 minutes to make with just a handful of ingredients.