Granola is a great breakfast or snack option. It is crunchy, filling, and very satisfying. You might be addicted to the premade granola bars available at the grocery store, but making it at home is far simpler than you could have imagined. Moreover, it is nutritious and gives you so many different choices to customize according to your liking.
How To Make Granola Clumpy
If you love granola or want to add it to your diet, we have a simple, quick, and easy recipe for you to try. But before moving to the recipe, let’s discuss the ingredients in detail. We will also share a few variation and substitution ideas. Lastly, we will talk a bit about storing the granola properly to enjoy it for a long time. Read ahead to get to know everything about making granola at home!
What is granola?
Granola is a widely used breakfast and snack choice. It is made mainly from oats, seeds, nuts, etc., making it a healthy choice for many. The thing about granola is its versatility and convenience. You can either use premade granola or make it at home and store it for later. Because of the ingredients used in granola, it offers several health benefits. It is rich in fiber, healthy fats, and protein making it a great choice when you are looking for a nutritious snack.
Ingredient Breakdown
Making granola at home is super easy and requires a few simple ingredients. Here is a list of everything you need to make granola at home:
- Rolled oats: Rolled oats is the base ingredient in making granola. It is responsible for granola’s chewy texture. Oats are an excellent source of fiber and protein. As a result, it makes granola a healthy addition to your diet. Rolled oats are also readily available at every home pantry or grocery store.
- Mixed seeds: You can use your choice of Mixed seeds to make granola. Seeds like pumpkin seeds or sunflower seeds not just add crunch but also a texture to granola. These seeds are also loaded with healthy fats and nutrients, offering several health benefits.
- Raw nuts: Raw nuts like almonds, walnuts, and pecans add richness and depth of flavor to homemade granola. These nuts also offer healthy fats, making granola a healthy, filling, and satisfying snack.
- Honey: Honey is a natural sweetener that adds a touch of sweetness to granola. Moreover, It also helps in binding the ingredients together, creating clusters of crunchy granola.
- Coconut oil: Coconut oil adds a rich buttery flavor to granola. It also helps in creating a crispy texture when baked.
- Peanut butter: Peanut butter adds a nutty flavor and creaminess to granola. It also helps bind the ingredients together, creating crunchy granola clusters.
- Dried cranberries: Dried cranberries add a sweet and slightly tart flavor to the granola. They also add a chewy texture. Moreover, dried cranberries are also a good source of antioxidants.
- Nutmeg: Nutmeg adds a warmth and aromatic feel to the granola. It adds complexity to the dish.
- Salt: Salt not just balances out the sweetness of honey but also acts as a flavor enhancer.
How To Make Granola?
Making granola is super easy. The whole process is effortless and quick. All you have to do is follow these simple steps:
Step 1: Start by preheating the oven to 170 degrees C or 350 degrees F.
Step 2: In a large mixing bowl, add rolled oats, mixed seeds, raw nuts, honey, coconut oil, peanut butter, nutmeg, and salt. Using a wooden spoon toss the ingredients so that everything is well incorporated.
Step 3: Prepare a baking tray by lining it with parchment paper. Pour the granola mixture over the baking tray. Use the wooden spoon to spread and press the granola against the baking tray’s surface.
Step 4: Place the baking tray in a preheated oven and bake for about 15 minutes. Now take out the baking tray, and mix the granola gently to shake things up a bit in different areas. Press the granola again to create an even layer.
Step 5: Place the baking tray back in the oven and bake for 15 minutes or until it gets a golden color.
Step 6: Take the baking tray out of the oven and place it over a cooling wire rack. Let it cool down completely.
Step 7: Once the granola is completely cool, add dried cranberries. Mix well.
Step 8: Place the cooled granola in an air-tight container and store it. Enjoy!
Variation and Substitution Ideas
There are so many ways you can change this simple granola recipe and customize it to your liking. Here are a few ideas to help you create a unique granola recipe:
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- Seeds: You can either use pumpkin or sunflower seeds. Moreover, you can also combine the two for a more wholesome experience.
- Spices: Although I have used nutmeg for this recipe, you can use cinnamon powder as well. Cinnamon adds a slightly sweet, woodsy, and warm flavor to the granola, making it perfect for fall and winter.
- Sweetener: Honey is a natural sweetener best for this recipe, but if you are looking for a vegan option, you can replace it with maple syrup or agave syrup as well. The sweet and toffee-like deep flavor of maple syrup makes the granola more flavorsome. If you don’t want to use honey or maple syrup, you can use dates as well. Process them until you get a smooth paste and mix the paste with the ingredients.
- Nuts: There are so many different nuts you can use in granola. Nuts are known for their high nutritional value. Adding pecans, almonds, or walnuts adds a crunch to the granola. You can either use a single or use mixed nuts for this recipe.
- Nut butter: Peanut butter offer creaminess and a rich texture, but you can use any other nut butter for this recipe as well.
- Dried fruits: Dried cranberries add a tart flavor to this recipe, but you can use other dried fruits like dried dates, dried appricots and dried mulberries as well.
- Coconut flakes: try adding coconut flakes to the granola once it has cooled down. It adds flavor and texture to the granola.
How To Serve Granola?
Granola is usually a delicious breakfast option; however, you don't have to serve it at breakfast only. Because of its nutritional value and crunchy texture, you can serve it with so many different dishes to make them more enjoyable here are a few ideas on what to serve with granola:
- As a snack: You can enjoy Granola as a snack on its own, straight out of the jar. It is not just nutritional but also a great choice for satisfying untimely hunger. Moreover, if you are craving something sweet, granola can satisfy your sugar craving.
- With fresh fruits: You can pair granola with fresh seasoning fruits like bananas, apples, berries, etc. its crunch adds a crunch to the fruit giving you a unique combination. You can also serve it on top of a fruit salad bowl.
- With ice cream: Granola on ice cream is a unique yet delicious combination. The crunch of the granola with the creaminess of the ice cream is a match made in heaven. No matter what ice cream flavor you choose, the granola will elevate your eating experience.
- With milk: Granola and milk is a traditional pair that is perfect for breakfast or as a post/pre-workout snack. You can enjoy it with both dairy and non-dairy milk.
- With yogurt cups: Serving granola over flavored/Greek yogurt cups is also a great way to enjoy a healthy snack. Plus, you can also serve it as a dessert option. You can layer it with custard, fresh berries, or cream, making it a unique and healthy dessert.
How To Store Granola?
Once you've made granola at home, the next crucial step is to store it properly. Proper storage is essential as it guarantees crunchy granola. Here are a few tips you should keep in mind when storing granola:
- Allow the granola to cool completely before storing it. If the granola isn’t cooled properly and you store it, the granola will become soggy.
- Use an air-tight container to store granola. You can use a plastic or glass container to do so. A mason jar will work as well. In short, you can use any type of container as long as it has an airtight lid. Airtight containers prevent air from getting into the container, ensuring the granola stays fresh and crunchy for a long time.
- Place the air-tight container in a cool, dry place like a spice cabinet. Also, ensure there is no direct sunlight where you are keeping the container. This way, the granola will stay fresh and crunchy for up to two weeks.
- If you want to store granola for a longer time, freezing it is a great option. All you have to do is transfer the granola to a freezer-safe container. Label the container and freeze it for up to three months. Thaw it and serve.
Making clumpy homemade granola is fun if anything because you get to essentially play around with a canvas of ingredients. Oats, nuts, fruit, seeds, chocolate, honey, oils and the list is endless with options.
Recipe Notes
Firstly make it your own because ultimately you will be eating it. So if I used pumpkin seeds and you don't like them simply substitute them with another nut or seed.
- Coconut Oil - this is my go to oil for most of my recipes
- Salt - fine sea salt
- Nuts - mixed almonds, cashews and macadamia raw nuts
- Oats - if I use oats in a recipe then its rolled oats.
- Spices - you can add others but in this recipe there was already a lot happening in terms of ingredients so I just went with cinnamon
- Honey - whichever I have on hand, raw or regular. Maple if you're going with the vegan option.
- My favorite secret ingredient - peanut butter! the only reason I love adding peanut butter is because I always need that texture! I simply don't get the clumpy bits of granola without the peanut butter sorry. It still tastes delicious don't get me wrong but I prefer the clumpy textured granola.
- baking paper makes life easier. Going to just leave that one there
- bake the granola on low heat or it will burn and not toast. Trust me I know I have burnt it before just check out this post about a year or two ago. You know what is more funny? I called it crusty corners and burnt edges! I mean I was really trying to embrace my burnt granola. Why did I make a post about burnt granola? Because it still tasted absolutely divine and life is not perfect, we burn things sometimes. Oh well you can be sure that I really watched this one while it was baking.
- Granola does burn quickly for 2 reasons: if you have the heat on high or if you leave it too long obviously.
Let's Take Homemade Granola To The Next Level
If you don't like or eat peanut butter then you can skip this paragraph (and then message me and tell me why 🙂 For everyone else, peanut butter is what I use so that I can get those clumpy pieces of granola. I also don't add it in the beginning, instead I add it halfway through. If you watch the video you will see that I add the peanut butter when I check it the 2nd time. I love how the peanut butter and a squeeze or drizzle of honey on the very last 'back to bake' session creates gorgeous clumpy pieces!
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Clumpy Granola Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 cups oats
- ½ cup mixed seeds pumpkin and sunflower
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 ½ cups mixed nuts almonds, cashews & macadamia
- ¼ cup honey
- ½ cup melted coconut oil
- ¼ cup sliced dried cranberries
- peanut butter
- fruit for serving
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 150C
- Mix the oats and all the other ingredients except the cranberries and fruit.
- Spread it out onto an oven tray lined with baking paper.
- Bake for the first 15 minutes, remove and using a wooden spoon gently push everything together into sort of tight fit. It will probably end up in the center of the pan that's fine as long its all together.
- Bake for another 15 minutes and then take it out again and this time (it will be slightly stuck more together) if not push it together for clumpy cluster granola.
- Pour the melted peanut butter over. DON'T MIX or you will have spread out granola not clumpy granola. Drizzle honey over.
- Return to the oven for about 5 or 10 minutes (depending on how brown you like it) Turn off the heat and leave it to cool on a cold surface. If you want it a darker brown like in my video then leave it in the oven after you've turned the oven off with the oven door slightly ajar and let it sit there till cool or browner.
- Take it out, don't fiddle with it. Leave to cool for at least 40 minutes. Welcome to cluster granola!Enjoy.
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