Simple Honey Granola : gluten, dairy, nut & refined sugar free

This granola is seriously addictive.  I first made it a couple of weeks ago and since then we've been eating it with everything; it's great for a quick snack, with milk or for throwing on top of a yoghurt bowl with some fruit (Oh yum, I want to eat some now!).

The beauty of granola is that you can pretty much throw any nuts or seeds in there and it'll taste great whilst giving you a healthy dose of nutrients.  My recipe is nut free however, as my son is allergic to them.

Sunflower and pumpkin seeds are great for promoting healthy bones and energy production, whilst cacao nibs are fantastic for their antioxidant properties and ability to enhance your mood.  Of course, the oats themselves also promote digestion and release energy slowly.

I use honey to sweeten the mix and olive oil to add some crunch.  The issue of sugar is a complex one but the general consensus is that refined sugar is bad, natural sugar not so much - either way we should be aware of our intake.  I've found that the lesser amount of honey in this recipe is plenty for me as I usually eat it with sweet things like coconut milk, fruit and soya yogurt, whereas my husband doesn't and so likes his batch a bit sweeter.

Recipe:

2 cups gluten-free oats

1/3 cup sunflower seeds

1/3 cup pumpkin seeds

1/3 cup cacao nibs

1/4 cup olive oil

3-6 tbs honey (depending on taste)

pinch of salt

Method:

Pre-heat the oven to gas mark 3 and line a baking tray with baking paper.  Combine all the ingredients in a bowl and mix well, then spread evenly onto the baking tray.  Bake for about 20 minutes then stir the mix again to ensure the oats cook evenly, then bake for a further 5-10 minutes.  When the granola is ready it will be golden brown and crisp.  Allow to cool and store in an air tight container for up to 2 weeks.