I’m not sure what it is, but I love surprising people with food. Whether it’s mailing a friend cookies for her birthday, bringing dinner to a neighbor who isn’t feeling well or showing up to a party with a jar of homemade granola for the hosts to enjoy the next morning, whipping up something homemade for someone I care about makes me smile. It feels like I’m putting thoughts of someone into action somehow. I cannot really explain it but hopefully this makes sense to at least one of you out there!
Years ago, I read something in a magazine about the “ultimate hostess gifts” and laughed because, um, I’m not that fancy. Hostess gifts? Does a bottle of wine count? (Yes, for the record.)
Though my friends and I absolutely do not expect to receive a hostess gift whenever we throw a casual party, I actually do love the idea of bringing something for the party planners to enjoy together the next morning. It’s not something I do regularly (I go the bottle of wine route at lot!) but if I have the time, I love whipping up a batch of homemade granola because it’s a treat that does not have to be enjoyed immediately and seems like something many people love.
About two weeks ago, I made a batch of granola with a hearty helping of hemp seeds for our family. Hemp seeds are very mild with a slightly nutty flavor and are a great source of protein, healthy fats (omega-3 and omega-6), magnesium, potassium, calcium, iron and vitamin E. I love incorporating them into smoothies and oatmeal, so why not granola!?
The end result was one of the most delicious batches of granola I’ve ever made! (A granola recipe definitely worthy of gifting!) I used a lot of “extras” in this coconut hemp seed granola so the oats, while present and tasty, were not the star of the show. The hemp seeds and toasted coconut took center stage and I quickly found myself eating the granola by the handful and looking for excuses to sprinkle it on top of anything remotely sweet.
The granola keeps well in an air-tight glass jar and can easily be customized to incorporate your favorite add-ins. Once the granola is cooled, feel free to toss in dried fruit or mini chocolate chips or leave it just the way it is… Simple, crunchy and delicious!
PrintCoconut Hemp Seed Granola
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 14- 1/4 cup servings 1x
- Category: breakfast, recipes
Description
Perfectly crunchy and slightly sweet, this coconut hemp seed granola is a great way to add flavor and texture to a creamy bowl of yogurt but tastes fantastic by the handful, too! Made with hemp seeds and unsweetened coconut, it’s an easy recipe you’ll find yourself making again and again.
Ingredients
- 2 1/4 cup old fashioned oats
- 1/2 cup hemp seeds
- 3/4 cup unsweetened coconut
- 1 tablespoon cinnamon
- 1/4 cup sliced almonds
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup melted coconut oil
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Combine oats, hemp seeds, coconut, cinnamon, almonds and salt in a large bowl.
- Combine melted coconut oil, maple syrup and vanilla extract. Pour over oats and toss to coat.
- Pour onto a cookie sheet sprayed with cooking spray (or lined with parchment paper or a Silpat).
- Bake for approximately 20 minutes, flipping halfway through. Cool and store in an airtight container.
Notes
This granola is much lower in sugar and higher in protein and fiber than many store-bought granolas out there but if you are concerned about the higher calorie and fat content, you may experiment by reducing the amount of coconut oil to 1/3 cup.
Nutrition
- Calories: 214 calories
- Sugar: 2g
- Fat: 14g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 6g
- Protein: 4g
Patricia @Sweet And Strong says
Yum this sounds delicious, great idea to add hemp seeds to granola. And when I watch my guilty pleasure the Real Housewives I laugh because they ALWAYS bring hostess gift that’s wrapped all nice whenever someone is having a party or dinner. I’m like you and just like brining wine or a dish 😉
Juliette | Namastay Traveling says
Granola is one of my favorite things to make because it’s so easy to alter it depending on what people like! Gluten-free, vegan, sweet or spicy, it’s all possible. I haven’t used hemp seeds before, excited to try this one out! I’ve been making your pb granola for awhile and LOVE it.
Julie says
Exactly! So easy to customize. And I’m so glad you like my peanut butter granola. That’s definitely one of my favs, too! <3
Christina @ montessoriishmom.com says
I love homemade granola, I never buy it anymore. This looks like a great recipe!
Sarah @ BucketListTummy says
I haven’t made homemade granola in so long but I love how it smells of the whole kitchen – love the idea of adding hemp seeds – those guys are my fave!
Brynn says
Bring on the coconut! I am a huge fan and love to incorporate coconut oil into my granola as well. And in my book, toasted coconut is one of the best tasting snacks – the flavor is out of this world!
Carrie this fit chick says
I never do anything with hemp seed! Granola is a clever way to use it. MY mom would love this recipe- shes a granola fiend!
tinyFarm says
Yum, this granola looks delish!! I’ve never added hemp seed to my granola before, I will have to try it!
Julie @ Running in a Skirt says
Yum! Love the hemp seeds in this. I haven’t cooked with them yet– this looks like a great place to start!
Natalie says
This looks and sounds delicious!
I have to be careful with granola. I have no self control around a yummy tasting one. I eat as it is like chips/crisps or trail mix and it soon disappears! Insert I see no evil monkey emoji.
Amanda says
I’m the same the way!!! There’s a chocolate strawberry one at Target that I just go through in a sitting.
Natalie says
It’s the freeze dried strawberries! There’s a red berry one in Alcampo (Spain) here that I can’t buy as I eat it way too quick. The only solution is not to buy any!
Amanda says
haha yes and the chocolate chunks!
Julie says
Totally feel ya on that! This granola is incredibly addicting and we went through the first batch embarrassingly quick! 🙂 The second one we ate half of and I put the rest into a jar immediately to bring to a friend. I do try to remind myself to use it more as a garnish on my meals but sometimes it’s just too darn tasty NOT to eat handful after handful in one sitting!
Natalie says
Ha ha! Yep, handful after handful then you look down and realises just how much you’ve eaten, say no more and continue until it’s all gone! The jar for a friend’s a good idea. A problem shared is a problem solved right?!
Amanda says
This sounds so good! I LOVE anytning coconut!!
Audrey says
This looks absolutely delicious! And I’m with you, I love surprising people with good food.
https://jonandaudadventure.wordpress.com/
Allison says
Yum! This looks delicious. I’m with you – I like to bring some kind of a gift, and sometimes that means putting a little more thought into it than a bottle of wine. Except I think everybody I know really appreciates a bottle of wine!
Kelli @ Hungry Hobby says
Pinned this! I used a TON of hemp seeds – they are a great dose of omega 3! Anti-inflammatory and great for hormones!
Julie says
They are SO good! I love both the flavor and texture they add to everything from overnights oats to smoothie bowls! Yum!
Sarah @ Sweet Miles says
LOVE making granola!!! And it’s so good for you, too! Does Chase love it? Adeline DEVOURS it!
jordan @ dancing for donuts says
this recipe legit combines 2 of my current obsessions – coconut and hemp seeds!! granola is one of those things that’s surprisingly simple to make, but for some reason i never think to do it! going grocery shopping this afternoon and totally picking up the ingredients for this! thanks for sharing and hope you had a wonderful mother’s day 🙂
Emily @ Pizza and Pull-ups says
Wine is usually my go to hostess gift, but it is nice to mix it up and bring homemade goodies when time permits. I love all the coconut things, so this sound great.
Heather @ Polyglot Jot says
Wow this looks so good! I’ve been really in to parfaits lately with the warmer weather–can’t wait to try this granola!
Izzy Bruning says
This looks so delicious – I really need to start getting into granola!
Izzy | Pinch of delight
Ashley @ A Lady Goes West says
I could seriously put hemp seeds in ANYTHING! They are so nutritious. And receiving home-cooked food is SUCH a treat, so yes, I agree that it’s the perfect hostess gift. (But wine is good too!) Have a great day, Julie! 🙂
Alexis deZayas says
Yum! I eat granola in my yogurt every day, and I’ve been dying to make some of my own!
Kim from MN says
Thanks for including the nutritional info., I really appreciate it!
Kaitlyn @ Powered by Sass says
All about dat granola life. *prayer hands* So happy to have another one to add to the mix!
http://www.poweredbysass.com
Lauren Robinson says
Ooo. yum!!! This looks and sounds delicious! I’ve actually never tried hemp seeds, but now I might have to. 🙂 My husband and I both love granola; we used to buy it from Bountiful Baskets but it would be nice if we could make a cheaper, healthier version at home. We’re also on a “nicecream” kick recently and using granola as a topping would be amazing. Thanks for sharing!
Katy says
Planning to make this for houseguests visiting for Memorial Day weekend. Will be such a cool and easy breakfast, so thanks! Question: could chia seeds be substituted for hemp seeds?
Julie says
I personally wouldn’t swap them because chia seeds can be a little too crunchy unless you know you’ll me mixing the granola into yogurt. I’d just add in additional nuts and oats to make up for the hemp seeds! 🙂
Olive Jason says
Thanks for including the nutritional information it very useful keep sharing
anupreetkaur says
This looks like a great recipe!
cori says
I make this all the time and change it up a bit here and there. Right now I have it in the oven with some raw quinoa mixed in (got the idea from Purely Elizabeth granola), pecans and maple extract instead of vanilla. Thanks!
Deanna says
Such a good recipe. Loving it on top of yogurt in the morning.