Naturally Sweet Cinnamon Crunch Granola
Put it this way. When Honey Bunches of Oats released their spin-off product, "Just Bunches", I properly lost my mind.
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That is to say, granola clusters really have a special place in my heart.
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Which is why I've spent the last few years searching far and wide for the unicorn of a recipe that might allow me to combine my love for bunches of deliciously toasted oats with my fondness of disease-fighting nutrition.
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And alas fam, the glittery stallion is here.
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Free from refined oils, sugars, caking agents, or hard-to- pronounce preservatives, this Cinnamon Crunch Granola is the PERFECT pile of satisfaction for your body & soul alike.
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Ideal for parfaits, smoothie bowls, as cereal, or just on its own for snacking, these bunches are sure to satisfy.
Prep time: 10 miN
Bake time: 35 min
Total time: 45 min
Ingredients:
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15 medjool dates (pits removed), soaked in hot water for about 10 minutes
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1/2 cup water
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2 Tbsp almond butter
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2 tsp vanilla extract
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2 cups rolled oats
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1.5 cups raw walnut pieces
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2 Tbsp hemp hearts
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1 Tbsp flax-meal or ground flax
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1 Tbsp chia seeds
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1/2 cup unsweetened coconut chips
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1/4 cup raisins
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1 tsp cinnamon
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pinch of sea salt
Directions:
Preheat oven to 325 degrees F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.​
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In a small bowl, add the pitted medjool dates, cover with hot water and let soak for 10 minutes or so to soften.
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In a large bowl, add the oats, walnuts, hemp, ground flax, chia seeds, coconut chips, raisins, cinnamon and sea salt. Stir to combine.
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Drain the dates and add them into a blender or food processor with 1/2 cup water, almond butter and vanilla extract. Blend until smooth.
Makes about 4 cups
Slowly pour/scoop the date mixture into the dry ingredients. Stir until the date mixture is evenly incorporated into the granola. Pour the granola onto the baking sheet and spread into an even layer.
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Bake for 30-35 minutes, depending on how crunchy/firm you prefer your granola (longer bake time = crunchier). Remove from the oven and let cool in the pan for 5-10 minutes before breaking apart - this helps you achieve those big delicious clusters.
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Crumble your granola into clusters & bits, and serve with your favorite plant-based yogurt as a parfait (recipe linked here),
on top of my Green Machine Smoothie Bowl, as a delicious homemade cereal with non-dairy milk, or simply on its own for snacking.
Store in a glass jar or airtight container and ENJOY!
For more disease-fighting & drool-worthy
meal ideas, check out my other plant-powered recipes here: