This homemade nutty maple granola is tasty, healthy and full of whole food ingredients. It's easy to make, great as a breakfast or snack with milk, kefir or try topping with yogurt and fruit. Sprinkle some over baked fruit and you have a speedy dessert! Make a big batch to keep on hand or send some in the mail as a welcome treat to family or friends.
This nutty granola is sure to become a family favourite!
Why homemade?
There are so many fantastic reasons to make your own granola - firstly you get to choose what ingredients you like best, for example do you prefer walnuts to cashews or cranberries to raisins? Choosing the ingredients puts you in control because there is no hidden sugar or preservatives and you can control the amount of salt or fat. If like me, you get through a LOT of granola, then you can save time by making as much as you like. This recipe makes 2 large baking trays worth of granola.
Ingredients
- 2 mugs almonds
- 1 mug cashews
- 4 mugs oats
- 2 mugs pumpkin seeds
- 2 mugs sunflower seeds
- 1 mug flax seeds
- 4 tablespoons maple syrup
- 4 tablespoons coconut oil
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 mugs raisins
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 190 °C / 375°F.
Add the almonds to a food processor and blitz until they are broken to your preference (I like mine just about cut in half).
Next add the cashews and blitz again. (Cashews are softer than the almonds so need less chopping).
Add all the nuts, seeds, oats, and salt to a very large mixing bowl.
In a saucepan gently heat the maple syrup and coconut oil and warm until the coconut oil has fully melted.
Pour the syrup and coconut oil mix over your bowl of seeds, nuts and oats. Stir well, until fully coated - you should notice a slight sheen on the pumpkin seeds.
Don't add raisins as this point as baking them will make them too dry.
Divide the granola into two large baking trays.
It's best to keep a good eye on the granola - checking often - as it's easy to overcook and burn the granola.
Bake for :
15 minutes - remove and stir the tray of granola, swapping the shelves the trays are on.
10 minutes - remove and stir the tray of granola, swapping the shelves the trays are on.
10 minutes - remove and stir the tray of granola, swapping the shelves the trays are on.
5 minutes - check that the granola has a golden brown / toasted look. If the granola still looks pale, bake a little longer.
Bake again for another 5 minutes ( or more) until the granola looks golden brown.
Cool the trays of granola on cooling racks.
Once cool, mix in the raisins.
Store the granola in an airtight container.
Alternatives
Try cranberries instead of raisins, or add toasted coconut pieces, or small chunks of date or dried apricot. Add any of the fruit or coconut after baking the oat, seed and nut mix. Change up the almonds and cashews for pecans, walnuts or hazelnuts. Love cinnamon? Go ahead and add a teaspoon to each baking tray.
Thoughtful edible gifts
There is nothing nicer than a delicious, handmade gift. This homemade nutty maple granola makes a wonderful gift to send to your college / university loved one, or as a tasty Christmas or birthday present. It would make a wonderful hostess gift too!
