[cs_content][cs_element_section _id=”1″ ][cs_element_layout_row _id=”2″ ][cs_element_layout_column _id=”3″ ][cs_element_headline _id=”4″ ][cs_content_seo]How to cook granola\n\n[/cs_content_seo][cs_element_headline _id=”5″ ][cs_content_seo]with a simple granola recipe\n\n[/cs_content_seo][cs_element_gap _id=”6″ ][cs_element_text _id=”7″ ][cs_content_seo]This granola packs hearty oat base with nutritious poppy seeds, hazelnuts and almonds. All combined with sweet maple syrup, rich dark chocolate and sticky dates. \n\n[/cs_content_seo][cs_element_gap _id=”8″ ][cs_element_image _id=”9″ ][/cs_element_layout_column][/cs_element_layout_row][cs_element_layout_row _id=”10″ ][cs_element_layout_column _id=”11″ ][cs_element_gap _id=”12″ ][/cs_element_layout_column][/cs_element_layout_row][cs_element_layout_row _id=”13″ ][cs_element_layout_column _id=”14″ ][cs_element_text _id=”15″ ][cs_content_seo]Granola is such a versatile food. Most commonly combined with milk or yogurt and fruit for breakfast, but also makes a great snack or dessert option.
In our house I have granola for breakfast with Alpro’s blueberry yogurt and sliced banana. My husband enjoys it sprinkled on a smoothie bowl, while the kids have it as a mid-morning snack with a fruity yogurt.
Granola is something that I have loved for years, it’s just delicious and has so many pros,
Depending what you include in your granola it will keep for up to 6 months and can even be frozen.
It’s so quick and easy to make.
It can be customised with tons of ingredients and can be used as breakfast, a snack or dessert!
Keep reading below for step by step instructions on how to make the perfect granola, some recipe tips, and a printable recipe. \n\n[/cs_content_seo][cs_element_gap _id=”16″ ][/cs_element_layout_column][/cs_element_layout_row][/cs_element_section][cs_element_section _id=”17″ ][cs_element_layout_row _id=”18″ ][cs_element_layout_column _id=”19″ ][cs_element_headline _id=”20″ ][cs_content_seo]what ingredients do you need to make granola?\n\n[/cs_content_seo][cs_element_text _id=”21″ ][cs_content_seo]Oats: The oats are the base of this recipe so they really cant be substituted. Even if you dont like oats you’ll love this granola. I hate porridge and overnight oats (it’s a texture thing) but I love Baked Oats and this crunchy granola. I tend to use rolled oats because this is what I always have available. However, I have also used jumbo oats before so you can really use any kind of oats you have to hand.
Maple Syrup: Traditional recipes sometimes call for honey but as this is a plant-based recipe we try and stick to ingredients that fit in a plant-based diet.
Oil: I haven’t tried making granola without the oil. I know it’s not that healthy and adds a fair few calories but it gives it a really nice crunch that to me is worth it when I’m not having tons of granola a day.
Nuts: This is an integral part of the granola experience. If you love nuts then you can put whole nuts in there, if you hate nuts then use ground nuts. You’ll see that I do a mixture of ground and chopped nuts because I like the flavour but not the texture.\n\n[/cs_content_seo][cs_element_gap _id=”22″ ][cs_element_image _id=”23″ ][cs_element_gap _id=”24″ ][cs_element_text _id=”25″ ][cs_content_seo]Seeds: I love adding seeds to my granola recipes. They add a nice crunch and are so nutritious.I like to use poppy seeds in our basic granola for two reasons. Firstly, poppy seeds are incredibly nutritious containing several essential minerals and vitamins. Secondly, they’re small enough that they can be incorporated into a weaning diet for my 7 month old so I don’t need to spend time picking the seeds out! I also add ground flax seeds to my basic granola recipe as not only are they loaded with nutrients but also high in omega-3s which can be harder to come by when you’re plant-based and don’t eat fish.
Dried Fruit: Dried fruit adds a sweetness to the granola that is ideal if you don’t intend to add sweetness with chocolate. I love adding dates because once they have been baked they become chewy like sweets!\n\n[/cs_content_seo][cs_element_gap _id=”26″ ][cs_element_gap _id=”27″ ][cs_element_headline _id=”28″ ][cs_content_seo]what else can you add to your granola?\n\n[/cs_content_seo][cs_element_text _id=”29″ ][cs_content_seo]There are tons of things you can do here. I add cinnamon and orange peel to my Winter Granola and dark chocolate to my simple granola recipe below. You could also add different spices, coconut flakes, rice puffs, quinoa, cereals or even sweets. \n\n[/cs_content_seo][cs_element_gap _id=”30″ ][cs_element_image _id=”31″ ][cs_element_gap _id=”32″ ][cs_element_gap _id=”33″ ][cs_element_headline _id=”34″ ][cs_content_seo]equipment\n\n[/cs_content_seo][cs_element_text _id=”35″ ][cs_content_seo]All you need to make this granola is a mixing bowl, a spatula and a baking tray.
If you’re making enough to store for future use you will also need an air tight container to store your granola [clicking this link will take you to some containers similar to ones I use from Amazon]. \n\n[/cs_content_seo][cs_element_gap _id=”36″ ][cs_element_gap _id=”37″ ][cs_element_headline _id=”38″ ][cs_content_seo]how else can you use oats\n\n[/cs_content_seo][cs_element_text _id=”39″ ][cs_content_seo]Apple Crumble Baked Oats
Dark Chocolate and Oaty Cookies
Blueberry and Chocolate Baked Oats
\n\n[/cs_content_seo][cs_element_gap _id=”40″ ][cs_element_image _id=”41″ ][cs_element_gap _id=”42″ ][cs_element_gap _id=”43″ ][cs_element_headline _id=”44″ ][cs_content_seo]how to cook granola\n\n[/cs_content_seo][cs_element_gap _id=”45″ ][cs_element_text _id=”46″ ][cs_content_seo]4 cups of oats
½ cup of maple syrup
½ cup olive oil
½ cup chopped hazelnuts
½ cup ground almonds
1tbsp ground flaxseeds
½ cup poppy seeds
1 cup dark chocolate
½ cup chopped dates
Line a baking tray and pre-heat the oven to 180c or 350f
Add the oats, maple syrup, olive oil, chopped hazelnuts, ground almonds, poppy seeds and chopped dates to a large mixing bowl and combined until all of the ingredients are covered in the maple syrup and oil.
Pour your granola mixture into the baking tray, lay it out flat and use a spatula or the back of a large spoon to push the mixture down. The idea is to pack it down tightly so it sticks together more and you can then break it into bigger and better clumps once it’s cooled.
Once your mixture is packed in tightly bake it in the oven for 10-12 minutes. At this point you need to pull it out, stir it to mix it all up, repeat the process of packing it back down together and bake for another 10-12 minutes.
When your granola is done it should be starting to turn a golden brown on top but it wont be set so dont touch it!
You need to leave it to cool for at least a couple of hours, but definitely until the granola mix and pan are completely cool.
Once its all cool you can use your hands to break the granola apart. I like to break it into some smaller and larger chunks but you can follow your own preference on this.
Now it’s time for you to add the chocolate! Adding it any earlier would mean the chocolate would melt and you wouldn’t get those delicious dark chocolate chunks.
Store your granola in an air tight container for up to six months (but it never lasts that long in our house!). You can also freeze it if you want to make your granola in bulk.
If you try this recipe please leave me a comment and let me know if you enjoyed it. I would love to hear from you!
For a printable and pinnable recipe check out the recipe card below. \n\n[/cs_content_seo][cs_element_text _id=”47″ ][cs_content_seo]
Simple Granola
Ingredients
- 4 cups Oats
- 100 g dark chocolate
- 80 g chopped hazelnuts
- ½ cup maple syrup
- ½ cup oil
- ¼ cup poppy seeds
- 1 tbsp flax seed meal
Instructions
- Line a baking tray and pre-heat the oven to 180c or 350f.
- Add the oats, maple syrup, olive oil, chopped hazelnuts, ground almonds, poppy seeds and chopped dates to a large mixing bowl and combined until all of the ingredients are covered in the maple syrup and oil.
- Pour your granola mixture into the baking tray, lay it out flat and use a spatula or the back of a large spoon to push the mixture down. The idea is to pack it down tightly so it sticks together more and you can then break it into bigger and better clumps once it’s cooled.
- Once your mixture is packed in tightly bake it in the oven for 10-12 minutes. At this point you need to pull it out, stir it to mix it all up, repeat the process of packing it back down together and bake for another 10-12 minutes.
- When your granola is done it should be starting to turn a golden brown on top but it wont be set so dont touch it!
- You need to leave it to cool for at least a couple of hours, but definitely until the granola mix and pan are completely cool.
- Once its all cool you can use your hands to break the granola apart. I like to break it into some smaller and larger chunks but you can follow your own preference on this.
- Now it's time for you to add the chocolate! Adding it any earlier would mean the chocolate would melt and you wouldn't get those delicious dark chocolate chunks.
