Easy Healthy Homemade Granola Recipe

I have discovered recently that home made granola can be a healthy and satisfying alternative to the porridge. 

Store bought granola is a big no no as its high in sugar, may contain unhealthy fats and oils plus can be ‘boosted’ by any unnecessary ingredients and taste enhancers…

Truth to be told if you want to control your daily sugar intake your best bet is to do so when preparing all of your meals at home and watching out what food you go for.

Luckily preparing a homemade granola is easy and quick. Not only you control the amount of sugar in it but also experiment with the flavours and variety 🙂 ah and the smell of the homemade granola…do I need to say more?

Why should you love oats? 

Whole oats are:

1. packed with fiber
2. high in protein
3. contain vitamins and minerals like folate, iron, and magnesium

What is the difference between whole oats and rolled oats?

Rolled oats and whole oats are same 🙂 

Steel-cut oats are just simple groats of oats, non -processed, cut into pieces. Rolled or Whole oats are steamed lightly to soften them and then rolled. Instant oats are the most processed one, same as the rolled oats but the groats are much more thinner.

Are oats naturally gluten – free?

Oats are naturally gluten-free, however, they get contaminated very often as the majority of oats are processed in the same facilities with grains containing gluten and wheat.

Where to buy quality gluten -free oats in the UK?

I buy my gluten-free rolled oats here: https://www.realfoodsource.com/product/gluten-free-whole-porridge-oats-1kg-copy/ . Whatever oats you get ensure there are not processed aka instant/quick cooking – as explained above 🙂

Which oil is the best for preparing a healthy granola?

I rely on coconut oil as I love its taste and its rather nutritious but any healthy resistant to high temperatures oil will do (e.g flaxseed or linseed oil or any other high omega 3 oil  wont be suitable as they are menat to be consumed raw in order to preserve their qualities).

How to limit sugar in homemade granola?

I try to limit the amount of dried fruit as they are usually high in sugar and sugar is something I have been avoiding for a while now. I don’t add sweetener though but you may rely on stevia or organic honey* should you limit the dry fruits and need some sweetness :-). If you go for other sugar sources ensure its as healthy as possible.

How to make granola more satisfying?

I am nuts about nuts hence I always top my granola with some nuts selection for extra proteins, nutrients and flavour 🙂 I also add almond butter for an extra taste sensation and crispiness 🙂

Can granola be ani-ageing?

Whoa, that’s a bit crazy question. We can’t say granola is anti-aging but we know that certain spices are actually helping to protect our longevity. I suppose adding ‘wolfberries’ aka goji berries do that. They are packed with healthy nutrients. Their antioxidant content is similar to what you would get from eating blueberries and a good amount of vitamin C. What stands out about goji berries is their vitamin A content. Five tablespoons of the dried berries equals of 134% of the recommended daily value of vit A ( source: https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/173032/nutrients). So they are perfect for protecting the eye sight 🙂

Ah, I also love cinnamon, so occasionally (at winter) it gets there too 🙂

• I sometimes go for a local unpasteurized organic honey hoping it contains some local pollen which may help to control my pre-spring allergy.

Get creative when checking my recipe but also modifying it to suit your taste or cupboard content 😉

EASY HEALTHY HOMEMADE GRANOLA RECIPE

• AUTHOR: Martyna Sroka-Lalewicz  PREP TIME: 10 mins  COOK TIME: 20-25 mins  TOTAL TIME: 30-35 mins  YIELD: 10 servings 

INGREDIENTS

• 500g  raw, (gluten-free) rolled oats, ideally organic
• 60 g  raw pecans or walnuts, chopped
• 60 g raw sunflower seeds
• 60 g  unsweetened dried fruit (berries, cherries, apricots, sgoji berries  etc.)—>optiona
• 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon
• 40g almond butter
• 1 tablespoons of stevia  (optional) or honey
• 2 tablespoons organic coconut oil or other healthy oil
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract 
• sea salt

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Preheat the oven to 150º C/300º F.
2. Mix oats, nuts, seeds, dry fruits, cinnamon, and salt in a bowl. Stir until combined and set aside.  
3. Mix almond butter, plant oil with the sweetness of your choice(if using at all), add vanilla extract. Heat in the pan for a few minutes stirring until all is smooth and combined well.
4. Pour the liquid over dry mixture and mix well.
5. Transfer it all evenly onto a baking tray lined with a baking paper.
6. Bake for 20-25 minutes until toasted. If you overcook your granola it will taste like burnt popcorn… do not bake your homemade granola for too long. If you want to make it more ‘golden’ leave in the oven at a low temperature just for 8-10 minutes. Cool before putting it in the storing containers (I use an airtight glass jar as it lasts there for up to a month). Don’t stir while the granola is cooling down.