How to Make Your Own Homemade Granola
So, you read the back of a granola box and are horrified by the number of processed sugars and other ingredients in your favourite brand of granola. No fear, I am here to save the day. You can just make this tasty breakfast dish at home and tailor it to your needs.
But it’s complicated, you shout! Actually, it is a very simple process and one that most people should not struggle with. The hardest part will be sourcing the ingredients, which I promise you.
In this article, I will be going over everything you need to know about how to make your own granola at home.
So, without further ado, let’s dive right in and get started!
What is Granola?
This word is thrown around a lot, and not everyone quite understands what granola is. Basically, granola is a breakfast food which usually contains rolled oats, honey, seeds, nuts, puffed rice, and dried fruit. There are many variations of this food, so there are sure to be recipes that will suit everyone.
Granola is often eaten with milk or yoghurt and fruit. But it can also be used in other dessert recipes. It is important to note that this food is high in fibre, which is one reason a lot of fitness experts recommend it. You just need to be aware of what ingredients are in your chosen variety of this dish so that you can best serve yourself, especially if you are trying to lose weight.
What Will You Need?
This is the big question, sadly the answer is complicated as it depends on what recipe you are following. In this case, I will be telling you about how to make a delicious seedy granola with goji berries. Below, I have listed all the ingredients you will need:
- Rolled Oats – 2 ½ Cups
- Raw Sunflower Seeds – ⅓ Cup
- Raw Pumpkin Seeds – ⅓ Cup
- Goji Berries – ⅓ Cup
- Chia Seeds – 2 Tablespoons
- Hemp Hearts – 2 Tablespoons
- Cinnamon – 1 Teaspoon
- Salt – To Taste
- Honey – ⅔ Cup
- Sun Butter – ¼ Cup
- Vanilla Extract – 1 Teaspoon
These ingredients might seem a little hard to come by, but I promise you that it is worth it, this recipe is truly delicious. There are also many other great options out there. Below are some of my favourite granola recipes if this one does not suit you:
If these recipes still don’t suit you, do not worry, there are TONS of recipes out there, and there is sure to be something that you like if you are willing to look.
Make Your Granola Step-By-Step
Right, it is time to get down to the nitty-gritty and actually make granola. This particular recipe will take about forty-five minutes to make and will yield approximately four cups. With that out of the way, let’s dive right in and get started with the steps you need to follow to make granola.
Step 1 – Prep
The first step you need to take is to get prep work out of the way. So, put your oven on 250 degrees Celsius. Second, get a baking sheet ready and line it with parchment paper with a light spritz of oil on top. I recommend coconut oil, but anything will work.
Step 2 – Mix the Ingredients
Toss all your ingredients in a bowl and mix well. You want to ensure that all the ingredients are evenly distributed throughout the mixture. So, mix thoroughly.
Step 3 – Pour the Mixture on the Baking Sheet
Pour out your well-mixed granola mixture onto the prepared baking sheet. Take care that it is evenly done, this will help with the baking process in the next step.
Step 4 – Bake Your Granola
Bake your granola for about thirty to thirty-five minutes, every ten minutes or so you should stir the granola mixture so that everything is evenly cooked. When you notice that the mixture has turned a lovely golden shade throughout, you know that it is done baking, and it can be removed from the oven.
Step 5 – Allow to Cool and Use as Required
Once your granola is done, you must allow it to cool and harden. This can take a few minutes, so be patient. When it is cool, you can enjoy this delicious breakfast dish as needed. Best of all, it should last about one month if you store it properly.
Final Thoughts
I hope that you have enjoyed reading this article and learning about making homemade granola, it really is a super simple process and one that just about anyone should be able to do without much trouble.
If you have enjoyed this article, make sure to check out the rest of our site. We cover a range of topics from how to make homemade Cold Cuts to how to store Fresh Ginger and more. You are sure to find something that you will find interesting, or maybe even useful.
Thanks for reading!
FAQ
In this section, I will be answering some of your most frequently asked questions regarding granola and the process of making this kind of food from home. Let’s do this!
1. Is it Worth Making Your Own Granola?
I would say yes. The great thing about making your own granola, or any food, is that you know just how much of everything is in it. For one thing, homemade granola will have less sugar compared to shop-bought brands.
2. Why is Granola High in Calories?
Not all granola is high in calories. A lot will contain about three hundred calories per cup but there are others that will have six hundred calories or more per cup. It all depends on what you are adding to the mix. Things like sugar, syrup, chocolate or oils can add a lot of calories to this meal. So take care of your choice of additives and portion correctly if you want to lose weight.
3. Can You Use Quick Oats instead of Rolled Oats for Granola?
Yes, you can if that is your preference. That is the beauty of granola, the recipe can be whatever you prefer or can afford. For example, I like dried berries in my granola, but my partner does not like the tartness, he can add chocolate chips instead. There is no right or wrong.