The Best Chia Seed Granola
This gorgeous granola will make you want to get up in the morning.
Packed with all sorts of goodness like chia seeds for omega, oats for protein and coconut oil for healthy fats, this little morning treat is a fantastic way to start your day!
I have a little confession to make. Years ago I was a granola addict. I had it almost every single morning…until one day I realised my so called “healthy morning treat” was far from being healthy no matter how many super berries the package claimed to contain, so I gave it up reluctantly.
For many years every now and again I would linger on a cereal aisle gazing at the boxes and having a deep masochistic inner battle with myself.
“Put it down, you know this stuff is not good for you. It’s just sugar cocaine in a box”
“It tastes sooo good, little morning sugar fix won’t hurt…I work so hard, I deserve it”
“But you frown upon Damean for eating cereal!”
“I know, I know but it’s only because he is so good. He can eat a bag of carrots for lunch and be content with it! Who does that!?! Seriously who???”
“Put the box down, put it down!”
“OK FINE! I didn’t want it anyway…!”
As you can see the situation was real and it still blows my mind that it took me so many years to come up with the idea to try to make it myself.
Once I got started there was no stopping me. After some varying consistency and couple of batches of burned oats I believe I have cracked the golden ratio of granola making…well at least for me.
Now a days I absolutely prefer home made granola over shop bought and can’t believe how I ever used to love it so much. It’s not just me who thinks this home-made version is far superior, but my wonderful step son who happens to be the fussiest eater anyone can find and also probably my harshest food critic in the world absolutely loves it and that ladies and gentlemen is nothing short of a miracle.
This is how I do it:
Firstly, I pre-heat my fan oven for 175c. I mix oats that are fantastic source of plant protein (gf oats work exactly the same if you want to avoid gluten) cinnamon, chia seeds and salt together. Salt. Why do I use salt? Simply without it something was missing, too much of it and it was ruined. It took many trials and errors to find the perfect equilibrium for me. I find this search for a perfect balance between sweet and salty to be a brilliant metaphor to life as well.
I love chia seeds and as they are so fantastically nutrient dense, they are the most perfect addition and companion to my granola and with a hint of cinnamon just makes it taste dreamy.
I then add maple syrup, melted coconut oil and vanilla extract to the mix. Vanilla is essential for me, it really adds to the wow factor of this granola.
Mix and taste…mmmm I could eat this raw…
Parchment paper! Line your tray with it, so you can easily remove your granola when it’s ready. Spread the mix evenly on to the tray and pop it in the middle of the oven for 11mins.
I use my phone’s timer so I get it exactly right.
After 11mins take it out of the oven, mix it really well and then press it down to the tray very very tightly if you want to achieve chunky granola and put it back in oven for the remaining 11 minutes. For me and my oven 22mins is the perfect sweet spot, you want to keep an eye on your granola. You definitely don’t want it to turn too golden or it will taste a bit burned.
So take if out when it’s slightly golden.
Leave it to cool down for an hour. Do not, I repeat do not touch the granola. Walk away from it. You need to let it cool down or otherwise you might break the granola and it won’t be chunky. If your granola does crumble it’s not the end of the world, it just won’t be chunky. Still delicious though.
After your granola has cooled down, gently break it to chunks and store in an air tight container so that it won’t go all soggy.
Personally, I love sprinkling it on top of smoothie bowls or have it with oat milk and berries.
I purposely kept this recipe plain so you can easily add your own take to it.
Top it with nuts and seeds or berries or whatever the fancy takes you.
Did you make this recipe? I’d love to know how yours turned out.
Tag me at @lustfullyvegetarian or use #lustfullyvegetarian so I can see your version of it
Are you a secret granola addict too? If so what is your go to recipe for it or do you still prefer shop bought ones?
Until next time
Sirle xox
The Recipe:
Delicious Chia Seed Granola
Serves 8
(Prep 5mins, cook 22mins, cool down 1h)
400g Rolled Oats
½ tsp cinnamon
¼ tsp fine sea salt
3 tbsp chia seeds
½ cup maple syrup
½ cup coconut oil, melted
1 tsp vanilla extract
1. Pre heat oven to 175C
2. Mix oats, cinnamon, salt and chia seeds
3. Add maple syrup, melted coconut oil and vanilla extract to the dry mixture and mix well
4. Line baking tray with parchment paper and add granola, spread evenly throughout the tray
5. Pop it in the middle of the oven
6. After 11mins take it out ofthe oven, mix well and press the mixture down very tightly with a spoon and put it back into oven for remaining 11mins
7. Take it out of the oven when very slightly golden and don’t touch the granola. Let it cool down for an hour
8. Break up the granola into desired chunks
Notes/Tips:
· Want to make the granola gluten free? – Use gf oats
· After 11 mins when you take the granola out of the oven mix it really well and make sure you press the granola down to the tray if you want to create chunky granola
· Do not touch the granola until it has cooled down or else you might lose the chunks. It will still taste delicious but it just won’t be chunky
· Make sure to store the granola in an air tight container so that the moisture won’t get to it.
· Goes really well on top of smoothie bowls, yogurt and with oat milk
· MAKE SURE YOU USE ROLLED OATS NOT STEEL CUT