Do you struggle with a healthy breakfast in Altoona? When we were visiting my sister’s house last year she served yogurt, fruit and homemade granola for breakfast one morning. Everyone, including my kids, were going up for seconds and then thirds-the granola was that good!

After asking for the recipe I learned it was actually really quick and easy too. If you’re like me, those are two key components to any recipe with little ones running around.

Here’s what you’ll need:

Ingredients:

1/2 C Brown sugar

1 3/4 C Ground walnuts or pecans

1 C Sunflower seeds

2 1/2 C Shredded coconut (look for unsweetened but if that’s not available just cut back on the sugar).

1 TB Salt

2 tsp Vanilla

2 tsp Almond Extract

1 C Water

1 C Coconut oil

5 1/2 C Rolled oats

Directions:

-Preheat oven to 300 degrees.

-Heat coconut oil until it becomes a clear liquid.

-Combine all ingredients with the oil except the oats.

-Once all ingredients are well blended, add 1 cup of oats at a time, stirring to coat until you’ve deposited all 5 1/2 cups and all are well coated. If the coconut oil hardens during this time just reheat.

-Spread evenly on 2 cookie sheets.

-Bake for 30 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes to evenly bake.

Use this granola on yogurt, in pancakes for an added crunch or on top of baked sweet potatoes! It’s also sweet enough to eat a spoonful straight.

Let me know what you think! Happy eating.

-Dr. Dawson.