Healthy Hazelnut & Pumpkin Seed Granola Recipe
Granola that you buy at the grocery store is often loaded with sugar and fat. Unfortunately, just a small serving (and it’s hard to eat just one serving) ends up being quite high in calories. But luckily there are ways to make granola healthier! Today I’ll share one of my favorite healthy granola recipes, which is perfect for breakfast or a snack any time of day.
Ingredients
One of the best things about making granola is that it is simple. And what’s even better is that this recipe only uses one bowl, making cleanup a breeze! Many of the ingredients can be interchanged as well based on food preferences or allergies.
Oats
Old-fashioned oats work best here. Be sure to use gluten-free if needed for those with Celiac disease or gluten-intolerance.
Hazelnuts
I prefer to buy hazelnuts that are already chopped so I don’t have to remove the skin, which can be time-consuming. Many stores with bulk bins, like Fred Meyer, Winco, or Bob’s Red Mill, sell chopped and dry roasted hazelnuts; these are perfect for this recipe. If you don’t like hazelnuts, you can try chopped almonds, pecans, or walnuts instead. If you have a tree nut allergy, try adding extra pumpkin seeds or sunflower seeds.
Pumpkin seeds
Look for unsalted pumpkin seeds for this recipe. If you don’t like pumpkin seeds or you don’t have them on hand, try sunflower seeds instead.
Chia seeds
Chia seeds are packed with healthy fats and fiber. They can be left out of this recipe or you can replace them with hemp hearts or ground flaxseed.
Avocado oil
I choose to use avocado oil because of its high monounsaturated fat content, meaning it’s a heart-healthy option, as well as its neutral flavor.
Maple syrup
You can use honey or agave if you don’t have any maple syrup on-hand. Be sure to avoid using honey if you want to keep this recipe vegan.
Unsweetened coconut
Make sure to look for coconut that is unsweetened, as many varieties can contain quite a bit of added sugar. Either shredded or flakes work well.
Nutrition
Like I said above, store-bought granola can be high in sugar and fat. Luckily, this recipe uses only 1/4 cup of maple syrup for the entire batch! 1/4 cup of maple syrup contains 48 grams of sugar. This recipe makes about 6 cups of granola, which means that for every 1/2 cup of granola, you are only getting 4 grams of sugar. For comparison, here are some common brands of granola along with their respective amounts of sugar per serving:
| Brand of granola | Amount of sugar per 1/2 cup serving |
|---|---|
| Nature Valley Oats & Honey Protein Granola | 12 grams |
| Quaker Simply Granola | 13 grams |
| Bear Naked Peanut Butter Granola | 11 grams | Bob's Red Mill Lemon Blueberry Granola | 12 grams | Healthy Hazelnut & Pumpkin Seed Granola | 4 grams |
Though the store-bought varieties above may taste good, I don’t think you’ll even miss the sugar in this recipe because of all the other goodies it contains. This granola is high in fiber and healthy fat, and it also contains some protein, all of which can make it a filling option.
Healthy Hazelnut & Pumpkin Seed Granola Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 cups old-fashioned oats
- 1 cup unsalted chopped hazelnuts
- 1 cup unsalted pumpkin seeds
- 1/4 cup chia seeds
- 2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup avocado oil
- 1/4 cup pure maple syrup
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 2/3 cup unsweetened coconut
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F/175 degrees C.
- In a large mixing bowl, add all ingredients except coconut and mix until combined.
- Spread the granola evenly on a large sheet pan.
- Bake for 20 minutes, stirring at least once halfway through baking.
- Remove the sheet pan from the oven and add the coconut.
- Bake for another 5-10 minutes, watching carefully to make sure the granola doesn't burn. It is done once the granola is a golden brown color.
- Allow to cool, then store in an air-tight container at room temperature.
Storing and eating granola
Granola can be eaten plain, but it’s also a great addition to yogurt or smoothie bowls. I also like to eat a combination of granola and whole grain cereal with milk. The added fiber, healthy fat, and protein from the granola makes the bowl of cereal more filling.
This granola will last for 2-3 weeks when stored at room temperature in an air-tight container.
Now you can see that there are healthy granola recipes out there! Try making this recipe next time you have a craving for something crunchy and slightly sweet. I’ll be sure to share more healthy granola recipes in the future!
