This nutty, crunchy organic flax-hemp granola with rice crisps is light yet filling, mildly sweet and full of good protein and plant omega-3's. Spiced with cinnamon and ginger, it's a good mixture of nuts, seeds and grains to keep you going in the morning. Delicious with non-dairy kefir and fruit of your choice.
A copycat recipe
This copy-cat granola is very much like one with a similar name that I’ve been buying at a health food store - Down to Earth in Honolulu - for years. I like the flavor and texture of hemp seed, and though it’s not a huge component of this granola, it adds some omega-3 fatty acids and a slight creamy texture.
I also like the rice crisps, which make the granola feel like a crunchy treat even though it’s not that sweet. They keep the granola from getting soggy if you add milk or kefir. The closest I've found is Barbara's brand, which I found at Natural Grocer's in Denver and, though I've included an Amazon link below, you'd most likely find at a nearby health food store.
Walnuts or pecans?
Do you find walnuts bitter? Well, they are wonderful in this granola, even though I enjoy pecans in other dishes. Walnuts are great sources of omega-3 fatty acids, while pecans are not so packed with them, so there's the health choice.
And the seasonings, as well as the baking, keep the walnuts’ natural bitterness from being noticeable. Did you know that bitter tastes enhance digestion?
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The best thing about making your own granola is that once you’ve gotten started, you can play around and customize the ingredients to your taste. Plus it’s much less expensive to buy the individual ingredients and make your own combo.
More seeds? Check?
No grains? Use more nuts - check.
Plus, it’s so easy and makes a couple weeks’ worth - at least the way I eat.
To assemble the granola, the first step is to mix the oil, honey, cinnamon, ginger and vanilla together as I show above. This is easier if your honey has not crystallized too much, so the fresher the better for this step - or warm it slightly to melt the crystals. This way, the spices will be mixed thoroughly into the granola and not be in a clump somewhere.
Then just stir in the nuts and seeds - I usually add the rice crisps last - and spread evenly onto a parchment-paper-lined baking sheet. Bake at 320 degrees F for about 30 minutes (up to 35 minutes at high altitude), stirring every 10 minutes.
The granola is done when it has browned slightly around the edges. At that point it will be browned on the bottom, too, and will be somewhat chunky.
The only ingredient that was a little tricky to find was the brown flax seed. Whole Foods carries it in packages and in their bulk bins. A little goes a long way! Be sure to take the time to chew your flax seed so that you get the benefit of the omega-3 fatty acids inside. Or slightly crush the seeds in a mortar and pestle.
Why no fruit in this recipe?
Do you like dried fruit in your granola? I don't, because I find it sticks in my teeth, yuk. If you do, stir it in after baking, so that the fruit doesn't become unpleasantly chewy from the heat. Goji berries or dried cherries would be great additions!
Of course, I'm a fan of adding fresh fruit or using this granola to top a smoothie.
If you made this recipe, please let me know in the comments, pin and share!
Beth
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Flax-Hemp Granola with Rice Crisps
Ingredients
- ⅓ cup organic honey
- ⅓ cup organic MCT oil see note
- 2 teaspoons vanilla
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ginger
- 1 cup organic rolled oats
- ½ cup pecans or walnuts chopped
- ½ cup sunflower seeds
- ½ cup pumpkin seeds
- ¼ cup organic brown flax seeds
- ¼ cup organic hemp seeds
- 2 cups Barbara’s brown puffed rice crisps
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 320°F/160°C. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
- Add the oats, sunflower seeds, chopped walnuts, flaxseed, hemp and rice crisps to the bowl and stir until everything is coated in the honey-spice-oil mixture.
- Pour the mixture onto the parchment paper-lined baking sheet and spread into an even layer. Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes, or until the granola begins to just brown at the edges. Be careful not to leave it in the oven once it has browned, as the granola can get too brown, or burn, very quickly after this. If you are at or near sea level, check the granola at 30 minutes.
- Let it cool completely before serving. Serve with fresh fruit and non-dairy milk or kefir.
- Store in covered containers or jars at room temperature.
Notes
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Jacqueline Debono
Although I love granola and muesli, I have never made my own. But I want to try out your recipe. It looks quite easy and really delicious and I love the idea that I can customize it. Unlike you Beth, I like dried fruit in mine!
Beth
Jacqui, isn't it great when we can use a recipe as a starting point and make it just the way we like? This one is great and I know you'll enjoy it with your dried fruit!
Maria
Such a delicious recipe and the perfect complement to a Greek yogurt breakfast! The ginger adds the perfect flavor.
Beth
Thanks, Maria, it's the perfect balance of the sweet, tart and gingery for me, as well as being filling.
Stine Mari
I love how nutritious this is while still looking like my fave granola ever. I need to make this asap - and it sounds so yummy with kefir!
Beth
Thanks, Stine Mari, it's such a great recipe, and not too sweet, yet it holds its own with the tart flavor of kefir.
Taleen | Just As Tasty
I love homemade granola, and this looks absolutely delicious! I can just taste that honey/vanilla/cinnamon flavor now!
Beth
Taleen, thanks - me too, and the aroma matches the taste perfectly - so good.
Sondra Barker
I've never thought about making my own granola but you made it look so easy! Love the idea of using rice crisps
Beth
Hi Sondra, it was so great to find making granola such an easy process after finding all the ingredients. We love it.
Emily
I love making homemade granola and this recipe was so delicious! The rice crisps add great texture!
Beth
Hi Emily, I love making granola too, and this was really the perfect balance of flavor and crunch for me. Thanks!
Colleen
This granola is so perfect! The ginger makes me happy, and this is perfect for a take along snack or a delicious breakfast added to my smoothie bow..
Beth
Colleen, the ginger adds something magical and the granola is a light and flavorful blend - such a great recipe. Thanks!
Sarah James
i love your combination of seeds and nuts in your granola recipe. Walnuts are a particular favourite of mine and I like how you use rice too, delicious.
Beth
Hi Sarah, I've fiddled with the proportions over a long time and am pretty happy with this blend, glad it sounds good to you.
Lesli Schwartz
I just love a good homemade granola recipe! It's great when you can control the ingredients, especially the sugars. I will be giving your recipe a go!
Beth
Lesli, you are so right about the sugars - I'm amazed at how much I used to add to a recipe like this, and am really happy with it now!
Amy Liu Dong
This is what I've been looking for, a recipe that is crisps and tasteful. Loved the color it brings out and the ingredients is definitely what I want in a dish. This is an easy winner to become one of our favorite nut recipe.
Beth
Thanks, Amy. I like it so much and love how I can change it up if I find a new ingredient or run out of something.
Marta
I'm always on the hunt for new ways to make my morning bowl of yogurt more exciting. I loved the addition of flax and hemp in this granola. Definitely a good change of pace.
Beth
Thanks so much, Marta. This makes a great breakfast and of course you can customize it to your taste - I hope you enjoy it as much as I do!
Gail Montero
My family could use a wholesome granola like this for breakfast! I don't like the sugar-laden storebought ones so this is great for us!
Beth
Hi Gail, we think this is just about the perfect amount of sweetness so I hope it works well for you.
Kushigalu
What a healthy treat. Love the idea of rice crisps. Trying this soon.
Beth
Thanks Kushigalu - the rice crisps were the trickest ingredient to find, but they really added a great texture to the granola.
Sapna
Flax hemp granola with rice crispies sounds super delicious. I would love to make it for my breakfast.
Beth
Thanks, Sapana, it's my favorite granola now and I hope you enjoy it!
Jen | Jen's Food Lab
This sounds so healthy! I've been looking for a healthy snack to snack on at work, and this seems like a great fit. Would be awesome with some dried mangoes!
Beth
Thanks, Jen, the granola feels healthy to me, filling without being too sweet - and dried mango would be so good with this!
April
This sounds absolutely amazing! It looks so golden and crispy. I love granola and this one has all my favorite ingredients!
Beth
Thanks, April, this has all my favorites too, and they are a great combo.
Ramona
Granola is one of my favourite things to have for breakfast. Its the best with greek yogurt! This recipe looks perfect for making your own granola at home and it is healthier. Thank you for sharing!
Beth
Hi Ramona, I love it with Greek yogurt too, or kefir depending on what I have. I love making my own granola!
Kari Alana
YES! I am loving this recipe! How perfect to make ahead for the kids in the summer holidays and that allows me some more time in the mornings.
Beth
Kari, this works really well as a make-ahead granola if you have a good airtight container to store it in.
Lathiya
Wow, this granola looks so delicious. I love that you added rice krispies too in the granola.
Beth
Hi Lathi, the rice crisps keep all the seeds and other ingredients from seeming too heavy - it's really a perfect part of the granola.