Luxury Granola

Why not try making your own granola for a super tasty, healthy breakfast with all your favourite ingredients?!

This has to be my all time favourite breakfast - homemade granola, vegan yoghurt and fruits on top. So yum! I didn't start making my own granola until quite recently when I realised just how much added sugar is in the shop bought products, plus I always craved more of the good stuff like nuts and seeds.

Decent granola can be pretty expensive so it's a great idea to make your own and it's super quick and easy. Now I've started I'll never be buying it again!

How do we make it?

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First of all make sure you have jumbo/rolled oats, they are definitely the best to use for granola. You will also need coconut oil, then the rest is up to you!

Think about what you might like to add. Some of my favourites are:

• Nuts (personal faves are cashews, pecans, almonds, walnuts)

• Raisins

• Cinnamon (or any spices you prefer)

• Seeds

• Coconut (flakes or dessicated work)

• Fresh Ginger (stem ginger also works)

• Sweetener eg: Agave or Maple Syrup, Honey also works but isn't vegan (or go sugar free!)

• Orange Zest

• Peanut Butter

Other additions to try:

• Goji Berries

• Dark Choc Chips (vegan of course!)

• Mixed Spice (or any spice of your choice)

• Anything you fancy!

Now I've made this a few times I generally don't measure anything out for this recipe - I pop my oats in a bowl (amount depending on the container I want to fill) add melted coconut oil, cinnamon and maple syrup, enough until the oats are coated but not soaking wet then stir in any seeds or extra toppings as listed above (aside from dried fruits). Line a baking tray with parchment and transfer your oats, pop this in the oven on 160°C until the oats start to brown - stir halfway to ensure equal browning and then press the granola into the pan to aim to create clumps.

Don't over bake, cook until the oats are golden brown. If you like nuts a little more baked I suggest cooking them separately and either adding them in halfway or once you decant your granola after baking.

Remove the granola from the oven and let it fully cool, if it has clumped (well done!) break it up and add in any dried fruits you wish. Put it in an air tight container and enjoy!

My granola generally doesn't clump and I've heard this alot with vegan granola particularly if you aren't adding alot of sugar. But there are some tips below if you want to try!

If you like to follow an actual recipe check it below!

Basic Recipe (I always like to double up)

• 4 cups Rolled Oats

• 1/2 cup Melted Coconut Oil (Olive oil also works)

• 1/2 cup Maple Syrup (Can also use Agave)

• 1 tsp of Sea Salt

Optional:

• 1/2 Teaspoon Ground Cinnamon (or to taste)

• 1 tsp Vanilla Essence

• ½ cup Dried Fruits

• 1 ½ cups Nuts

• Any options mentioned above

I didn't start making my own granola until quite recently when I really looked into how much sugar is in the shop bought products. Now I've started I'll never be buying it again!

1. Preheat the oven to 160°C and line a baking tray with parchement paper.

2. In a bowl combine the oats, nuts, salt, cinnamon (spice of choice) and stir.

3. Pour in wet ingredients - Oil, maple syrup and vanilla essence stir well to cover.

4. Pop the granola onto the prepared baking tray and cook for around 20-25minutes until the oats are golden brown.

5. Ensure to stir the mix half way through then press it back down into the tin.

6. Once cooked, remove from oven and let it cool before adding the fruits and storing in an airtight container.

Top Tips

• Some nuts can burn super easily so I like to often roast them separately from the oats and add them later once the oats are done.

• Don't cook the raisins or any dried fruits with the oats - add those in cold later as they will burn.

• Store your granola in an airtight container and it will last a good while.

• If adding coconut flakes - add in half way so they do not burn.

• If you go sugar free ie no maple syrup you may need to add more coconut oil to coat the oats.

• Use a baking tray with a lip so you don't lose any granola!

• Make a big batch because trust me you're going to want to eat this alllll day!

• This is also suitable for freezing.

• To aim to clump the granola ensure the oats are fairly packed together on the baking tray, press down into the tray after the half way stir, don't over bake and let it fully cool before breaking it up!

I get loads of my ingredients from Buy Wholefoods Online check them out as they have such a range of products at great prices.

Let me know if you give this recipe a try, hopefully it has been helpful!