How to make the most amazing granola
One of the most important things I learned from using the healthy habits app, Noom, to regain my pre-baby shape last year was to make sure that I resisted those pesky snack-attacks in-between meals. You know, that left-over toast from the kids’ breakfast or that last biscuit calling from the packet! I make sure that I’m full of good, wholesome food early on in the day with porridge for breakfast every morning.
Now porridge is great with honey or my favourite; Agave syrup which has a lower GI level, but sometimes I just want a bit of crunch too you know?
So Inspired by a recipe over at Baking Mad, one of my favourite recipe sites (have you tried out their baking mode?) I started making the most amazing granola. It’s everything granola should be; crunchy, fruity, nutty – all or none of the above actually because you can adapt however you like – fab eh? I pop it onto porridge for breakfast or mix it with fat-free yoghurt for lunch. Add some fruit and you’re good to go! And because it’s made with oats it’s super filling.
Go on, make a batch. It lasts for 30 days in a sealed contained but I doubt it’ll last that long – it doesn’t in our house!
Amazing home-made granola
Ingredients
- 200g porridge oats (gluten free works too!)
- 200g toasted, flaked almonds
- 200g raisins or a mixture of dried fruit of your choice
- 100g Dessicated coconut
- 80g dark muscovado sugar (I used Billington’s)
- 100ml Agave nectar or honey
- 30ml sunflower oil (or you could use coconut oil)
Option: add a handful each of sunflower and pumpkin seeds for an extra healthy crunch
Method
1. Preheat the oven to 170 degrees C (gas mark 3).
2. Combine the oats, almonds (plus seeds if using) and dessicated coconut in a large bowl.
3. In a small saucepan combine the sugar, Agave nectar or honey and oil and heat gently, stirring until the sugar has dissolved – be careful not to let the mixture burn.
4. Pour the sugar mixture over oats and stir well to combine – this can take a few minutes.
5. Spread the mixture out on a baking tray and cook for 8-10 mins. Take it out and turn the mixture over so that it cooks evenly before cooking for a further 4-5 mins. You want the granola to be golden brown but not too dark.
6. Pour the toasted granola into a large bowl and stir through the dried fruit. Leave it to cool for an hour or so before popping in a sealed jar or box. It will keep for about a month – but ours never lasts that long!
Linking up with Tasty Tuesdays at Honest Mum, Share with Me at Let’s Talk Mommy, Brilliant Blog Posts at Honest Mum, Image of the Week at Truly Madly Kids
This certainly is gorgeous food photography – it looks so appealing. Thanks for the recipe too – will be definitely trying. Thank you for linking up to Image of the Week
Megan – Truly Madly Kids recently posted…A Superhero Cowboy by Sarah Mason Photography
Love the sound of your granola recipe, delicious and healthy too.
Julie’s Family Kitchen recently posted…Giveaway: Win The Caravan Trail Teapot and Mug Giftset
I love granola and always looking for healthy filling snack, I’ll definetely be making this! Thanks for sharing xx
Something Crunchy Mummy recently posted…
I make granola regularly for my husband (and my son has developed a thing for it too!) I normally use Nigella’s ‘Andy’s Fairfield Granola’ recipe, but yours has much less sugar. I may give this a go next time. Also like the idea of using coconut oil in place of sunflower. Delish!
Lisa Savage recently posted…
Oh my lord this looks amazing! Can see what I’ll be making later in the week.
I’ve never made my own granola before but always avoid the supermarket stuff as it is full of sugar. My Mum will appreciate this one too!
– Gillian x
Gillian recently posted…Silent Sunday
I can’t believe how easy this is to make!! And to think I’ve been buying it for years. Thank you Michelle, this is very inspiring to me – a healthy delicious breakfast which can be made quickly and easily. What’s not to love?!
x
#brilliantblogposts
Katie / Pouting In Heels recently posted…Pouting In Heels turns 3! (and what the future holds – eek!)
I love this Michelle granola is my favorite. Pinning for later for sure. Thank you ever so much for linking up to Share With Me. #sharewithme
Jenny recently posted…Pancake Day and making memories
That looks delicious and love that it’s so quick and I adore cooking up big batches be it healthy biscuits or oaty granola here too-, I make mine with coconut and raisins and adding cinnamon, maple syrup or honey is yummy too- but know Peter would love a nutty one! Thanks for linking up to #tastytuesdays x
HonestMum recently posted…A Wintry Walk in Vertbaudet
You’ve made this look so good! I really need to stop eating Crunchy Nut Cornflakes in the morning – I’m generally really healthy for the rest of the day but it’s like I’m addicted to a morning sugar fix! I’m going to give this a go!
Xx
#brilliantblogposts
JoyandPops recently posted…Deliciously Ella Experiment #1 – Grain Free Apple Crumble
Fab idea and perfect change to a soggy weetabix or porridge!
Thnx for posting
#blogLovin
I am just about to have some breakfast and this would have been perfect. thanks for sharing this recipe. We love granola, need to get all the ingredients and will give it a go too!
Mirka Moore recently posted…Women in fencing
It’s SO yummy for breakfast! I just add the ingredients to a weekly shop and keep them in the store cupboard – it’s supposed to last a month but never lasts that long here!:)
Thank you for this!! I’ve tried making my own granola before and it’s never worked. Plus I’ve always cooked the fruit too and it burns!!!
X
Ghostwritermummy recently posted…Two years
Hope you love it honey and yes, leave the fruit out until after it’s cooked
You are my new favourite person for posting this, I’m making this tomorrow! I love granola but know how full of sugar the shop bought stuff is
Toni @ Gym Bunny Mummy recently posted…Wicked Wednesdays | The One With The Dust
Yay! Thanks Toni, it’s so yummy