How to make homemade granola - Elle à Table
What is granola?
In 1863, Dr. James Caleb Jackson created "granula", a filling bar made from oats and milk, presented as a alternative to breakfast. Since then, granola has changed a lot. Classic of Anglo-Saxon culture, this mixture of cereals, nuts and honey or sugar is related to muesli. The difference ? The first is a cooked mixture, while the second is raw. Some granolas also contain dried fruit: goji berries, raisins, diced apples...
Why is granola a hit?
For the past few years, granola has dominated trendy canteens and Instagram accounts. The advantage of this product? It ticks all the right boxes! Rich in fiber and good fats, it is greedy, crunchy, instantly boosts any yogurt, can be nibbled at snack time, suitable for gluten-free fans, can be customized to infinity and is quite simple to prepare.
Is granola good for your health?
Yes, provided you don't abuse it. Indeed, some granolas can contain up to 30% sugar, as well as fat. Eating it in handfuls on a daily basis is therefore not recommended.
How to make granola?
Basic granola recipe
In a salad bowl, mix 250 g of rolled oats or spelled, 150 g of fruit coarsely chopped shells (macadamia nuts, almonds, hazelnuts, pecans, pistachios...), 2 tbsp. tablespoons coconut oil or fat, 5 tbsp. sweetener (honey, maple syrup, agave syrup, rice syrup), 1 tbsp. of fleur de sel. Place everything on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes in a preheated oven at 150°C/th. 5 and stir the mixture every 7 to 8 min. Let cool. Store everything in an airtight container.
Variants of granola
There are countless granola recipes, each as good as the next. For example, you can replace the oats with other cereal flakes such as barley or buckwheat, and add chestnut flakes or wheat germ. Regarding the choice of oil, first cold-pressed oils (sesame oil, safflower, flax, evening primrose, or even borage) are more interesting from a nutritional point of view. Before cooking, it is also possible to incorporate seeds such as flax, alfalfa, pumpkin, poppy, nigella into the classic recipe. For the addition of dried fruits such as apricots, raisins, dates, bananas, it is preferable to add them to the already cooked granola so that they retain their softness. Are you a big spice fan? Don't hesitate to flavor everything with vanilla, cinnamon, star anise, anise, ginger or liquorice... In short, anything goes!
Chocolate. After cooking, add 50 g of crushed dark chocolate to the basic recipe.
With dried fruits. After cooking, add 100 g of chopped dried fruit (raisins, diced apple, blueberries, dates, figs, apricots, etc.) to the basic recipe.
Little sweet. Replace the sweetener in the basic recipe with 20 cl of apple juice. And add 50 g of raisins. Ideal as a dessert for a “trifle” alternating layers of granola, whipped vanilla cream cheese and fresh fruit.
Thai savory. Mix 250 g of puffed rice (obtained by cooking for a few minutes in a frying pan over high heat), 125 g of plain peanuts, 50 g of coconut flakes, 2 tbsp. coffee powdered ginger, zest and juice of 2 limes, 3 tbsp. coconut fat. Cook everything for 15 min at 150°C.th. 5. Ideal on a salad of green papaya, prawns, curry...
Salted with rosemary. Mix 150 g of rolled oats, 50 g of pumpkin seeds, 25 g of pine nuts, 50 g of sunflower seeds, salt, 1 tsp. tablespoons chopped rosemary sprigs, 3 tbsp. tablespoons honey, 100 g tahini, 3 tbsp. tablespoon olive oil, 1/2 tsp. cumin and 1/2 tsp. sweet paprika. Cook everything for 15 min at 150°C/th. 5. Ideal on soups, salads, vegetables...
If you are in a little more of a hurry, you can always use ready-made mixes, bought in supermarkets. Just add oil, honey and water, and toast them in the oven. Otherwise, here are 11 super simple and delicious homemade granola recipes!
