Chunky Crunchy Granola

The markets are flooded with varieties of granola, muesli, and energy bars. Most of us are so confused of what the ingredients are, which is a better product, and a healthier one for our families!! All of these are definitely healthier alternatives than binge eating fried namkeens and snacks but that doesn’t make it 100% natural. There is one thing I strongly believe in – anything that is on store shelves for a long period and sold to consumers with a long shelf life, will always have preservatives and additives to extend the shelf life. It cannot be 100% natural. Even though all products have the required licensing and use only food grade, industry approved preservatives and additives it cannot be better than freshly bake homemade granola, using pure ingredients, can it??
So here I present to you an extremely flexible, versatile base recipe to make the yummiest crispy, crunchy granola that you will ever have! Use the ingredients you have available, use the ingredients you enjoy and create customised jar of granola for your family in flat 20 minutes! Try this recipe out and I promise you won’t buy another box of granola from the market again.

1 ½ cups Old Fashioned Rolled OatsQuality of oats used in recipes decide the nutritional value of the recipe. For break apart chunky granola always opt for old fashioned rolled oats. Make sure to sift them and remove the dust.

1 ½ cups Nuts, seeds and dry fruitsAll dry fruits such as almonds, pistachio, walnuts, pecans, macadamia, hazelnuts, peanuts and seeds such as chia, flax, watermelon, pumpkin, sunflower, sesame etc. Toasted or raw either could be used. However, in case you already have toasted nuts, make sure not to add them while toasting the oats. Simply add the nuts later with other ingredients. In case using raw, feel free to add along with oats to toast. All dry fruits such as cranberries, blueberries, mango etc have to be added immediately after baking.

¼ cup Liquid SweetenerGood quality of maple syrup or honey works well.

¼ cup Neutral OilsOats tend to soak up a lot of the moisture present in the recipes. Oil helps to keep the bars moist. Olive oil, canola oil or any neutral flavoured vegetable oil can be used. Oil also helps make the granola crunchier.

½ tsp SpicesSpices like clove powder, cinnamon powder, cardamom powder, nutmeg powder, salt or even cayenne pepper add an extra punch to your granola. Choose the right combinations and you have a winner!

½ tsp Flavour EssenceThe essence not only enhances the flavours in the granola bar. For example using a mango essence with Mango and Coconut granola. For neutral flavours simply use Vanilla Essence.

½ tsp SaltSalt is essential to bring the flavours together.

Prepare all your ingredients. Choosing the right combinations. Toasted or untoasted nuts, chopped dry berries and fruits etc.
Preheat the oven to 170 degrees. Mix the oats and any untoasted nuts or seeds together in a large bowl. Mix well to combine.
Add in the spices such as salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, clove or cardamom and stir thoroughly to combine.
Now stir in wet ingredients, the oil, sweetener, and essence.
Line a sheet pan with parchment paper. Spread out the granola mix and bake for about 15-20 minutes, or until the mixture is light brown and toasty.
During the baking time do stir after 10 minutes or so for an even brown color and to make sure the granola does not burn due to the hot spots in the oven.
Any dried fruits/ berries and roasted nuts are to be added after the baking is over. Remove from the oven and add the chopped dried fruits and any roasted nuts. Stir to combine.
The granola continues to cook for a few minutes after removing from the oven as well. So if it feels slightly soft or wet, wait till it cools. If you still feel so, you may bake for 5-10 minutes more. In most cases it should become crunchy.
Break apart in chunks or crumble into smaller pieces and store in an airtight container. Store inside a cupboard in winters or a refrigerator in summers for longer shelf life.

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Chunky Crunchy Granola

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