Date-Sweetened Granola

Here’s some breakfast inspiration. Granola. But this isn't just any granola - it's "Husband Granola". Why don’t we just buy one of the bags on the supermarket shelf? Because they are so sugar-filled you may as well be eating cookies for breakfast.

Let's dive into this simple, yummy recipe, sweetened naturally with medjool dates and vanilla. And guess what? The caramel-like blend you'll create isn't just for your granola; keep a jar in the fridge and it's a super yummy topping for any dessert! 🍮

You'll need:
•2 cups Medjool dates, pitted (don’t buy the ready-pitted dates as they will be dry and yukky!
•1/2 organic vanilla pod

•4 cups rolled oats
• 2.5 cups of your favorite nuts and seeds (think almonds, pecans, hazelnuts, sesame, chia, and flax seed (make sure the flax is freshly ground)
• 1 cup unsweetened dried coconut flakes
• 1 cup unsweetened quinoa puffs
• A pinch of fine sea salt, cinnamon, or nutmeg for that spicy kick
• ¾ cup melted coconut oil for that smooth texture
• Zest of 2 organic oranges
• Flaky sea salt

Step 1 Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.
Step 2 Pit the dates and soak them in boiling water with the vanilla pod.
Step 3 Roughly chop your nuts and mix them with the seeds, oats, spices, and salt.
Step 4 Drain the water from the dates and vanilla pod then blend with the coconut oil until smooth (this is also delish on dessert!), add the orange zest, and massage this mix into your oat-nut combo.
Step 5 Stir in the quinoa puffs.
Step 6 Spread this mixture on a baking tray lined with parchment paper, no deeper than an inch, and bake until golden and fragrant. We take it out of the oven for 15 minutes, stir it up, and rotate the tray. Remember, keep an eye, it will burn quickly! Once done, pour the granola onto a fresh sheet of parchment and let it cool.

Step 7 Sprinkle over a pinch of flaky salt. At this point, you could also add in raisins or freeze-dried berries (make sure they are unsweetened).
Step 8 Once it has cooled, store it in airtight containers. It'll stay fresh for weeks, making your mornings effortlessly delicious and nutritious.