Homemade Granola

 Homemade Granola Recipe

This recipe was born on a warm Saturday morning, and I really, really wanted to have granola, but my mother went ahead and said that store bought cereals contain heapfuls of sugar, and she wouldn't let me consume any. But I wasn't ready to back down. That day after my classes, I went straight to the supermarket and picked up my ingredients. My mum said no store bought cereals, so what about homemade granola?

Also, I made this recipe while sipping on some marvelous matcha latte that I thought deserved a shout out. 

Before I begin with the recipe, I'd like to add a small note. The measurements for the nuts, seeds and dehydrated fruits are just an estimate. Feel free to explore and shake things up. I myself used more than required because I love a nutty granola.

Ingredients:

Rolled Oats: 1½ Cups 

Mixed Nuts (almonds, walnuts etc.): ⅓ cup

Mixed Seeds (pumpkin, sunflower, flax etc.): ⅓ cup

Unsweetened Shredded Coconut (optional): 2 tbsp

Ground Cinnamon: 1 tsp

Melted Coconut Oil: 2 tbsp

Maple Syrup or Honey: 1½ tbsp

Vanilla Extract: 1 tsp

Dehydrated Fruits (raisins, cranberries, blueberries etc.): ⅓ cup

Feel free to add other types of nuts and dehydrated fruits. 

Instructions:

1. Wash and dry your nuts thoroughly, then roughly chop them. You could use an electric chopper, or a mortar and pestle, but personally I prefer cutting by hand. You can control the size of the pieces and it's just more fun. I was listening to music as I cut them. 

2. In a  large bowl add your coconut oil, maple syrup or honey, vanilla extract, nuts, seeds, cinnamon and oats. Mix well until everything is evenly coated. We will add the berries later. Preheat the air fryer at 160°C for about 2 minutes. Air fryers heat up really fast.

3. Line your air fryer with parchment paper and spread the granola mixture in an even layer. Using a thin spoon or a fork, make small cuts in the middle to allow the middle to cook just as well the edges. Air fry at 160°C for 8-10 minutes. At around 4 minutes give it a quick shake for more even heating. While it air fries, you can cut your dried fruits into the size of your choice. 

4. Transfer to a wide rimmed bowl, plate or tray, and mix in the dried fruits. 

5. Once your granola is ready let it cool, it becomes crispier and crunchier as it cools. 

Enjoy!

Storage:

You can store it in an airtight jar or container for up to 2 weeks at room temperature. But if you're anything like me, it'll be over in just 1 week!

I hope you enjoyed this recipe just as much as I did, this granola has become a staple in my diet and it has so much room for variations. Thank you for reading!