Chai Granola

It's back to school, and the fall weather is just starting to creep in a little. This means all things chai! I love the warming sweet spices. This recipe has a hint of chai that is just right over some vanilla soy yogurt. Feel free to up the spices a bit more if you want a stronger chai flavor.

Chai Granola

Ingredients:

4 cups rolled oats

1/2 cup shredded coconut
1/2 cup raw sunflower seeds or slivered almonds
1/4 cup flax seeds
2 tbsp chia seeds
scant 1/2 tsp salt
1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
1 1/2 tsp allspice
1/2 tsp cardamom
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1/4 tsp ground ginger

1/2 cup maple syrup
1/4 cup coconut oil
2 tsp vanilla

Directions:

Pre-heat your oven to 400 degrees.

Put the oats, coconut, sunflower seeds or almonds, flax seeds, chia seeds, salt, cinnamon, allspice, cardamom, nutmeg, and ground ginger in a large mixing bowl. 

Measure the maple syrup in a measuring cup, and then float the coconut oil in the syrup to measure out the fourth cup of coconut oil. Microwave the maple syrup and coconut oil just long enough for the coconut oil to melt. Add the vanilla to the maple syrup and coconut oil and then pour over the oats and mix well to completely combine.

Coat a large baking dish with cooking spray (I use a large rectangular casserole dish), and then bake for 25 minutes. Stir the granola every 10 minutes while it is cooking, so you get it evenly toasted. Let the granola cool and store in an airtight container.

Makes 12 1/2 cup servings. Nutritional information from caloriecount.about.com.

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size 54 g

Amount Per Serving

Calories 216 Calories from Fat 83

% Daily Value*

Total Fat 9.2g 14%

Saturated Fat 5.4g 27%

Trans Fat 0.0g

Cholesterol 0mg 0%

Sodium 102mg 4%

Potassium 175mg 5%

Total Carbohydrates 29.4g 10%

Dietary Fiber 4.1g 16%

Sugars 8.5g

Protein 4.6g

Vitamin A 0% • Vitamin C 1% Calcium 3% • Iron 15%

Nutrition Grade C-

* Based on a 2000 calorie diet