trending; edible gifts! give the gift of (healthier) granola

Economical, thoughtful, delicious. Gift recipe card included!

I would guess there are hundreds of thousands of granola recipes on the internet. We foodies cannot help but give it our spin. Why? Because granola is decidedly delicious and incredibly convenient. And I think this granola makeover is pretty darn tasty.

It’s deliciousness and versatile qualities make it a pantry staple but it’s also a fantastic “from my kitchen” gift — shout out to Donalda for sharing this term with us in the RSC chat!

I’ve been a big fan of oil-free granola even before I stopped using oil in my every-day cooking. It made more sense to me. If I didn’t need ½ cup of coconut oil, why would I use it?

You might feel the same way.

I like to use smaller amounts of nut or seed butters instead of oil to achieve that same mouthful and crunch we expect from a good granola.

This year I thought it would be fun to remind and encourage all of us to make, share, and gift plant-based treats instead of buying more things. Healthy homemade offerings are economical, unique, and thoughtful. And I promise, the healthy homemade gifts are much more appreciated than the unhealthy ones.

This oil-free holiday granola has warming spices, a touch of smokey molasses, and a lot of crunchy delicious bits to add some whimsy and flavor. I’ve made it nut-free to accommodate school and work lunch boxes too!

Warning; it’s addictive!

Some things to know when making granola:

Where’s the crunch?

Granola will not be crunchy when it comes out of the oven. It should feel dry to the touch but will still be a bit soft. The oats will get crunchy as they cool on the pan.

Watch out for burning!

Be sure to watch your granola in the last 5 minutes because it can burn quickly.

Additions

I love adding the fun bits to this granola after it’s out of the oven. You can choose whatever nuts, seeds, dried, fruits, or other additions you love. If you’re adding chocolate chips, be sure to wait until the granola is completely cool.

Storage

Once the granola has cooled completely (this is very important — don’t cover it while it’s still hot), keep it in a sealed jar or baggie in a cool and dry place. It will keep for a month (likely even longer).