We are in front of one of the trendy products, which has become very popular among people looking for a healthier and more nutritious way to have breakfast. But did you know that preparing homemade and natural granola is very easy?
It is a mixture of cereals and nuts, quick to cook, and keeps for a long time. In addition, it accepts all kinds of individual variations, so you can have fun thinking of new combinations or always make your favorite recipe.
This article details how to prepare a perfect basic granola; we tell you what ingredients you can customize and the strengths of including it in your eating plan.
Contents
What is granola?
Granola combines toasted oat flakes with nuts and a bit of honey (or any other sweetener). These can be combined with grains of another type (for example, wheat) and with raisins or other dried fruits. As they explain in the Larousse gastronomic dictionary, its origin is found in some elaborations typical of the United States that already existed in the 19th century. This became popular quickly and has resulted in the product that is so well known today. The most common way to consume granola is at breakfast time. This can be accompanied by fresh fruit, yogurt, milk, or vegetable drinks. However, many people use it for cooking and decorating other dishes (cakes, biscuits, toast, salads, and vegetable creams, among others). In addition, it is an energetic snack to eat mid-morning, on days of excursions, or more intense physical activity. Although they are very similar foods, they should not be confused with muesli, which comes from Switzerland. This is prepared with cereals (such as oats and rye), nuts, and raisins, but they are not toasted. The final result has a finer texture but is not crunchy on the palate.Basic ingredients to prepare natural homemade granola
If you have walked through the supermarket or browsed the internet, perhaps you have realized that there are many varied products within the range of granolas. But at the base are only a few ingredients. These are the ones we will use in our recipe, and we detail them below:- Oat flakes. They are the star component and the main protagonist of the granola. For the characteristic crunchy “globs” to remain, it is preferable to use thick flakes. For people with celiac disease or those very sensitive to gluten, those who certify that there has been no cross-contamination can be chosen.
- Nuts. Almonds or hazelnuts are usually the most common, although the margin to use other options is wider (pistachios, peanuts, walnuts, pecans, etc.). You have to choose those that are raw and unsalted.
- Sweetener. In some preparations, sugar is used, although nowadays, it is more common to add honey or syrups (for vegan versions). The sweetening ingredient is added to get the crunchy touch, and all the members of the granola are caked.
- Olive oil. Fat sources are added to aid in the roasting process and help all the ingredients stick together. So that it does not stand out too much, it is preferable to choose an olive oil with a mild flavor.
Recipe to prepare a delicious homemade granola
Granola is sold in most supermarkets. However, it is possible to make it at home simply. In this way, you can choose the ingredients to taste and regulate the amount of sugar and the type of fat added. Making a good amount of granola is advisable since it is consumed quickly and can be preserved without a problem. In this way you save time, energy and it is unnecessary to cook it as often.Ingredients
- Five cups of thick oat flakes (500 grams).
- Two cups of raw walnuts, almonds, and hazelnuts (250 grams).
- One cup of raisins (150 grams).
- Half a cup of honey (175 grams).
- Four tablespoons of olive oil (60 milliliters).
- A pinch of cinnamon.
Preparation
- Before starting, put the oven heat to 180 degrees.
- First, chop the nuts with the help of a sharp knife. Place them in a large bowl with the oat flakes, honey, oil, and cinnamon.
- Mix all the ingredients well until they form a lumpy and slightly sticky dough.
- Next, cover a baking tray with parchment paper and pour out the contents of the bowl. Spread well with a spatula and press a little for a smooth surface.
- Lower the temperature and bake at 150 degrees for about 20 or 25 minutes. Halfway through the process, add the raisins. It is necessary to stir from time to time to prevent it from burning or cooking more, on the one hand, than on the other.
- When well browned, remove it from the oven and let it cool. After her, you can already break it with her hands and put it in a glass jar.
How to customize homemade granola
To this basic recipe, you can add ingredients to taste, to obtain more variety, or to get one that fits personal preferences. If you want to know how you can do it, take note of these ideas:- Add seeds next to the nuts. Therefore, these have a similar nutritional composition and are very nutritious food. In addition, once toasted, they provide a crunchy touch and extra flavor.
- Peanut butter gives the granola a very special aroma and taste. To facilitate the mixture, you can melt it first with the oil. Add four tablespoons to make the dough.
- Give it the flavor you want with other spices beyond cinnamon: ginger, cardamom, star anise, vanilla… Other valid ingredients are grated coconut or orange and lemon peel.
- Add dehydrated fruits: dates, apricots, blueberries, or plums. If they are added at the end of cooking, they are softer and contrast with the texture of the granola. In addition, its use may reduce the amount of added sweetener.
- Try a touch of salt, which enhances the flavor of the rest of the ingredients.
- Do you like chocolate? You have two different ways to incorporate it. When the cooking is finished, add drops of dark chocolate (or grated chocolate if you can’t find them). On the other hand, if you want it to be integrated, add three tablespoons of cocoa powder and/or 100 grams of melted dark chocolate (more than 75% cocoa) when making the dough.