Chunky Coconut Almond Gluten Free Granola

Gluten free granola is one of those recipes you’ll be making on repeat so you can always have a jar stocked in your pantry.

Have you ever had one of those encounters where the person you are talking to has a preconceived notion of how the conversation is going to go. And as much as you try to sway it in a different direction, their vision just ends up becoming a self-fulfilling prophecy? Just me? Well, it happened this weekend..

We have our kids in swim lessons and for some reason the times were mixed up. I casually and politely (my version) asked the pool manager about the times. He’s a guy that I’m surrre deals with a lot of er, pushy parents and had this idea of how the conversation would go.

Well, I didn’t start out crazy, but when I walked up he gave me this look of “Oh God..” and then was really defensive and kept saying “No ma’am…. blah blah” without really answering my questions or being at alll helpful. Anyway, I certainly left the conversation feeling like the crazy parent that just went ballistic on the pool manager. Whether it’s true or not, that’s how I felt and that counts for something right?!

So, sometimes I get jealous with people and their granola. They throw it on everything and I never seem to have any on hand. There’s something about that hearty crunch that makes you feel full but in a good kind of way. Right?

It’s just so versatile. Granola in everything! Jaryd was patient enough to ever so kindly let me take pictures of it before his hand started reaching in. Eventually I yelled at him and separated them into “mine” and “his” bags because he wasn’t saving me any.

It’s like when one person is holding a candy bag and you start elbowing each other to get your hand in. Except we’re adults. And it’s granola.

When I first made granola I vowed to make alllll the different varieties of granola. Here’s one. This granola is particularly exceptional because it’s AMAZINGLY DELICIOUS, low carb AND gluten free. It’s made mostly of nuts and gives the perfect little energy boost when you need it most.

So let’s make Coconut Almond Granola:

In large bowl, combine the flax meal, hemp seeds, coconut, chia, and sunflower seeds.
Use a large knife to coarsely chop up your almonds and cashews, leaving a decent amount of large pieces. Add the nuts to the large bowl.

In a small saucepan over medium-low heat, melt the butter, almond butter, and agave together. Stirring constantly until smooth. I’m sure you could use a butter substitute, let me know if you do and it works! I want to try coconut oil.

Pour the almond butter mixture into the large bowl and toss with a rubber spatula.

Add the water and continue to toss. Things will begin to clump together.

Spread mixture evenly on the baking sheet and bake for 20 minutes, stirring after 10 minutes. Things should begin to crisp after 20 minutes. When the 20 minutes are up, turn the oven off but allow the granola sit in the oven for another 20 minutes.

Enjoy! xo