Craving a breakfast that's both delicious and nutritious? Look no further! This healthy granola recipe will satisfy your taste buds and energize you throughout the day. Packed with wholesome ingredients like oats, nuts, seeds, and a touch of natural sweetness, it's the perfect way to start your morning or enjoy as a wholesome snack.
Jump to:
🥣🌟What is Healthy Granola?
Healthy granola is a breakfast cereal or snack made from whole grains, nuts, seeds, and natural sweeteners. It's typically low in added sugar and unhealthy fats, featuring ingredients like oats, nuts, and seeds, and minimal processing. Portion control is important due to its calorie density. Homemade or carefully selected store-bought options are recommended for a healthier choice.
Healthy Granola Ingredients
Note: The full ingredients list is provided in the recipe card below.
- Old Fashioned Rolled Oats: A staple in granola, they provide a hearty texture and are a great source of fiber, helping in digestion and giving a feeling of fullness.
- Sesame Seeds: These tiny seeds are not only for texture but also pack a nutritional punch with minerals like calcium and magnesium.
- Slivered Almonds: Almonds add a delightful crunch and are a fantastic source of healthy fats, protein, and vitamin E.
- Sunflower Seeds: They bring in a nutty flavor and are rich in vitamin E and B1 and antioxidants.
- Unsalted Cashews: These nuts contribute to the creamy texture and are a good source of magnesium and heart-healthy monounsaturated fats.
- Sweetened Shredded Coconut: Coconut adds a tropical sweetness and texture to the granola, along with fiber and healthy fats.
- Honey: It acts as a natural sweetener and binder, helping to cluster the granola while adding its own subtle flavor.
- Dried Currants: These bring a burst of sweetness and chewiness, offering a contrast in texture, a hint of tartness, and a dose of antioxidants.
Tools you'll need
How to Make Healthy Granola
Note: The full instructions are provided in the recipe card below.
- Toast the Sesame Seeds: Begin by toasting the sesame seeds in a dry skillet over medium heat. Keep an eye on them and stir frequently until they turn golden brown. Once done, transfer them to a separate dish and set aside.
- Toast the Almonds: In the same skillet, add the almonds. Toast them until pale golden color.
- Add Sunflower Seeds: Add sunflower seeds to the skillet without removing the almonds. Continue toasting the mixture until the sunflower seeds are golden brown.
- Introduce Cashews, Coconut, and Oats: Now, add the cashews, coconut, and oats to the skillet. Toast this mixture until the cashews have lightly browned. Be sure to stir occasionally to prevent burning and ensure even toasting.
- Combine with Sesame Seeds and Honey: Return the toasted sesame seeds to the skillet and drizzle in the honey. Gently heat and stir the mixture, ensuring everything is beautifully coated with the honey. This step will create lovely clusters in your granola.
- Bake the Granola: Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C). Spread the granola mixture onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake in the oven until the granola becomes rich golden brown, approximately 15 minutes. Keep an eye on it to prevent burning.
- Drain and Cool: Once baked, line another sheet pan with parchment paper. Transfer the granola onto the parchment paper and cover it with additional towels. Allow the granola to cool completely.
- Break into Chunks: When the granola is completely cooled, break it into small, bite-sized chunks.
- Serve and Enjoy: Your homemade granola is now ready to be enjoyed!
Substitutions
- Old Fashioned Rolled Oats: Substitute with quick oats for a softer texture, or for a gluten-free option, use quinoa flakes or buckwheat flakes.
- Sesame Seeds: Pumpkin seeds (pepitas) or chia seeds can be used as substitutes, offering similar nutritional benefits and a slight variation in taste.
- Slivered Almonds: Chopped walnuts, pecans, or hazelnuts can replace almonds, each adding unique flavor and crunch.
- Sunflower Seeds: Flaxseeds or hemp seeds are excellent alternatives, both offering healthy fats and a slightly different texture.
- Unsalted Cashews: If you want a different nut, use unsalted peanuts or macadamia nuts. For a nut-free option, roasted soy nuts can work.
- Sweetened Shredded Coconut: Unsweetened shredded coconut is a less sweet alternative, or you can omit coconut entirely and increase the quantity of nuts or seeds.
- Honey: Maple syrup, agave nectar, or brown rice syrup can be vegan-friendly sweeteners with similar binding properties.
- Dried Currants: Substitute with raisins, dried cranberries, chopped dates, or dried cherries for a different kind of sweetness and texture.
Remember, substitutions can slightly alter the flavor profile and nutritional content, but they allow you to tailor the granola to your preferences or dietary needs.
Variations
- Chocolate: Add cocoa powder to the mix before baking and stir in dark chocolate chips after cooling. This adds a rich, chocolaty twist.
- Tropical Twist: Mix in dried pineapple, mango, and banana chips.
- Berry: After baking and cooling, add a variety of dried berries like blueberries, strawberries, and raspberries for a burst of fruity flavor.
- Nutty: Incorporate a mix of different nuts like pecans, walnuts, and pistachios.
- Spice It Up: Add cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger to the oats before baking for a warm, spiced flavor.
- Protein Power: Boost the protein content by adding protein powder, chia seeds, or hemp seeds.
- Pumpkin Spice: Ideal for autumn, mix in pumpkin seeds and a dash of pumpkin spice blend. Use maple syrup instead of honey for a seasonal touch.
- Apple Cinnamon: Add dried apple pieces and a generous sprinkle of cinnamon. This combination gives a classic, comforting taste.
These variations let you play with flavors and textures. 🍓🌰🍫🍏🥥🍌🍯🌿
Serving Suggestions
How to Store & Freeze
Store granola in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 weeks. To freeze, cool completely, place in an airtight container or freezer bag, label with the date, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature and re-crisp in the oven if needed.
Tips for Making The Best Granola
- Quality Ingredients: Start with good-quality, fresh ingredients. This makes a significant difference in the flavor of your granola.
- Balance Sweetness: Be mindful of the sweetness level. You might want to reduce the added sugar or honey if you're using sweetened dried fruits or sweetened coconut.
- Oven Temperature: Bake your granola at a low temperature. This allows it to dry out and crisp up without burning, typically around 300-350°F (150-175°C).
- Stirring Is Key: Stir the granola occasionally while baking for even browning and to prevent burning.
- Watch the Nuts: If you're using nuts, be aware that they can burn quickly. Adding them partway through the baking process can help prevent this.
- Add Fruits After Baking: If you're using dried fruits, add them after the granola has been baked and cooled. This keeps them from hardening or burning.
- Cooling Down: Let the granola cool completely on the baking sheet. It will crisp up as it cools.
- Clusters: For clusters, press the granola down with a spatula before baking and avoid stirring it while it’s in the oven and as it cools.
- Storage: Store granola in an airtight container to keep it crunchy. If it does soften, you can re-crisp it in the oven.
- Experiment with Flavors: Don't be afraid to experiment with different combinations of nuts, seeds, and dried fruits, as well as spices like cinnamon or vanilla.
FAQ
Why isn't my granola crispy?
Granola often crisps as it cools. Ensure it's spread thinly and evenly on the baking sheet and fully cooled after baking.
How do I prevent my granola from burning?
Bake at a lower temperature and stir it occasionally. Also, keep an eye on it, especially towards the end of the baking time.
Can I add dried fruit before baking?
Adding dried fruit after baking is best to prevent it from hardening or burning.
Why is my granola not clumping?
For clumps, press the mixture with a spatula before baking and avoid stirring during and immediately after baking. Adding a bit more honey or syrup can also help.
How long does homemade granola last?
Stored in an airtight container at room temperature, it can last up to 3 weeks. You can also freeze it for up to 3 months.
Can I make granola with no added sugar?
You can omit sweeteners, but the texture may be less clumpy. Consider adding more spices or extracts for flavor.
Is it necessary to use oil in granola?
Oil helps in browning and crisping but can be reduced or replaced with apple sauce for a lower-fat version.
Can granola be made nut-free?
Absolutely! Substitute nuts with more seeds, oats, or puffed grains for a nut-free version.
How can I make my granola more flavorful?
Experiment with spices, extracts (like vanilla or almond), or zest from citrus fruits for added flavor.
Related Recipes:
Recipe
Healthy Granola
Ingredients
- 300 g (3 cups) old fashioned rolled oats
- 70 g ( about ½ cup) sesame seeds
- 70 g ( about ½ cup) silvered almonds
- 57 g ( about ⅓ cup) sunflower seeds
- 113 g unsalted cashew
- 85 g sweetened shredded coconut
- 113 g honey
- 85 g dried currants
Instructions
- Toast the Sesame Seeds: Begin by toasting the sesame seeds in a dry skillet over medium heat. Keep an eye on them and stir frequently until they turn golden brown. Once done, transfer them to a separate dish and set aside.
- Toast the Almonds: In the same skillet, add the almonds. Toast them until pale golden color.
- Add Sunflower Seeds: Without removing the almonds, add the sunflower seeds to the skillet. Continue toasting the mixture until the sunflower seeds are golden brown.
- Introduce Cashews, Coconut, and Oats: Now, add the cashews, coconut, and oats to the skillet. Toast this mixture until the cashews have lightly browned. Be sure to stir occasionally to prevent burning and ensure even toasting.
- Combine with Sesame Seeds and Honey: Return the toasted sesame seeds to the skillet and drizzle in the honey. Gently heat and stir the mixture, ensuring everything is beautifully coated with the honey. This step will create lovely clusters in your granola.
- Bake the Granola: Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C). Spread the granola mixture onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake in the oven until the granola achieves a rich golden brown color, approximately 15 minutes. Keep an eye on it to prevent burning.
- Drain and Cool: Once baked, line another sheet pan with parchment paper. Transfer the granola onto the parchment paper. Allow the granola to cool completely.
- Break into Chunks: When the granola is completely cooled, break it into small, bite-sized chunks.
- Serve and Enjoy: Your homemade granola is now ready to be enjoyed!
Notes
All nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe and nutritional value will vary depending on the brands you use, measuring methods, and portion sizes per household.