Maple-Flax Granola
One of the hardest parts of writing this blog is deciding which recipes to feature. I have a spiral notebook that I keep by my bedside, and it is brimming with recipes, ideas and sketches. This notebook shows the signs of my affection with its’ tattered edges and faded cover. Eventually I hope to post most of the recipes in it. Time is my only obstacle.
Some of the recipes in my notebook are decadent, some are comforting, and some are gluten-free translations of old favorites. Another group falls into the daily basics category. These are the things that we eat a few days a week. Things that make our life a bit easier and definitely more economical while managing multiple food allergies and celiac disease. My Maple-Flax Granola falls into this category. It is satisfying, delicious and packed with protein and fiber. I can easily make it once or twice a month and store it in an air-tight container for hectic mornings. We usually store it as-is, allowing each family member to add their favorite stir-ins. My current favorites are pecans, toasted coconut and dried cherries. My son looks forward to eating his for school snack with a handful of chocolate chips and dried blueberries thrown in (trail mix style). Whatever your favorite combo is, this granola is the perfect canvas.
Recipe Notes: Processing a portion of the oats into a coarse oat flour is key to producing the “cluster style” granola that I prefer.
Maple-Flax Cluster Granola
- 5 cups gluten-free certified oats of choice*
- 1/3 cup ground flax (I prefer golden flax)
- 1/2 cup maple syrup
- 1/3 cup oil of your choice ( I love using melted coconut oil)
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 3/4 teaspoon sea salt
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract (I use Frontier brand or homemade for corn-free)
In the bowl of a food processor fitted with the metal blade, place 1 ½ cups of the oats. Process until a coarse oat flour is produced.
In a large mixing bowl combine this oat flour, with the remaining 3 ½ cups of oats, the ground flax, maple syrup, oil, cinnamon, salt and vanilla.
Stir until all ingredients are thoroughly combined and moistened.
Spread onto a sheet pan coated with parchment paper, silpat mat, or lightly oiled foil.
Bake at 300 degrees for 35-50 minutes. Bake until crisp and golden brown.
Cool completely on sheet pan. Store in air-tight container.
Add in ideas:
- dried cherries
- dried blueberries
- raisins
- banana chips
- chocolate chips
- nuts
- seeds
- toasted coconut
* If you have celiac disease, talk with your doctor before eating oats. Even gluten-free certified oats can cause problems for some. Personally, it took me two years of eating gluten-free before I was able to tolerate them.
Love this! I’ve just started making homemade granola, and this one looks like it’ll be the next one I try.
I hope you do give it a try! I would love to see your version. Future post on The Baking Beauties?
What are your dishes? I love them! (flowers)
Hi Sharon,
The flowered bowl is by Royal Stafford. It is called “Hedgerow.” I only have a few pieces of the set (sadly), but I adore it and if I see it again I will definitely buy more! I found mine at a Homegoods store. Just in case you have those in your area!
Thanks so much! I’ll definitely be on the look out here in New Brunswick, Canada.
I love this one Terris! My Grandmother Johnson was called “Grandma birdseed” by my older cousins college friends who came to visit because of her homemade granola. I haven’t made granola for years and was just thinking yesterday that I should make some! Maple syrup as the sweetener works great for me. I am SOOO inspired! I encourage you to keep that precious binder of recipies going to pass on to your children & Grands someday. My cousin on my Mothers side & I just went through my Grandma Lucy’s old leather covered cookbook with sketchings from college days on the leather (including a sketch of the engagement ring setting I now wear only WITH the diamond in it!). It was fun to see recipies that we had eaten and helped her make for years and see the dates of when & how she aquired them including notes of revisions! Your book will be precious someday! I’m hungry now…
Thanks Gneen! I hope you are inspired to make a batch. It makes lovely trail mix for all those hikes you do.
Oh, also my Son In Law calls me a “granola”, so I respond by saying “crrrunchy!” Ha! Put some crystalized ginger in for crrunchy & spicy!
I have a ton of flax at home and have been looking for interesting ways to use it up! This sounds like a fabulous way to use some of it… I love homemade granola! Thanks for this recipe
I’m sort of obsessed with flax and use it to fortify many of my muffins and quick breads too. Thanks for stopping by!
I love granola and I love flax. I have made loose granolas before but love the clustered kind but wasn’t sure how to make that happen. Great post the granola sounds and looks wonderful.
This looks amazing! I’m so glad you shared – and your photos are stunning! I also have a notebook that I write in daily….aren’t they great?
Homemade granola is the best! I love the added ground flax seeds.
Oh, how delicious!!! I LOVE granola (especially chunky versions like yours), but I shy away from making it because it is so irresistible. I may have to break down and make a mini batch
Looking forward to tasting this version! Looks beautiful and healthy…..Way to go!
I love the idea of grinding up some of the oats to get nice clusters! I’m going to have to try that the next time I make granola. We eat granola all the time here as well, and right now I’m loving dried raspberries and shredded coconut in mine!
i’m with you on the notebook. I wish my day had at least 48 hours, then I’d find the time to blog all the wonderful recipes I have written.
your granola sounds delicious!
Hi Roxana, Thanks for stopping by! Yes, 48 hours in a day would be just about right!
I used to carried around notebook for ideas and then iPhone came along which I carry all the time. Somehow I stopped writing!!! And I got busier with the kids and I lost the habit of writing down. Do continue… it is the best way to jot down ideas! Love your granola! Looks healthy and delicious at the same time!