Granola. I know -- it seems cliché to have a recipe for it on a site named TreeHugger. But nevertheless, it is a very healthy snack to have on hand when you have a sweet tooth, and it is a great addition for breakfasts and lunches. This recipe is both gluten free and can be made vegan as well. Plus it is customizable to your preferences for various seeds, nuts and fruits to add in. I've experimented with a few different granola recipes and this is one of the easiest and most flavorful that I've tried.
I love honey -- like looove honey -- so I always choose a local orange blossom or wildflower honey. It is a delicious and healthful option for a sweetener in so many ways. However, if you are not a fan of honey you can also use maple syrup which works quite well. Agave nectar is also an option but I don't prefer its flavor for a granola recipe.
This recipe is adapted from Cannell et Vanille.
© Jaymi Heimbuch
Ingredients:
3 cups rolled oats
1 1/2 cups nuts and seeds of your choice -- for example, almonds, pecans, pumpkin seeds, walnuts, flaxseeds, etc)
1/2 cup apple juice (Be sure to pick an apple juice with no added sugars or other ingredients. If you happen to have a juicer, freshly squeezed apple juice is amazing for this recipe)
1/2 cup honey -- or maple syrup for a vegan version
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
1 teaspoon fine sea salt
Optional: 1 cup mixed dried fruit. This is a great addition if you aren't planning to eat this granola with fresh fruit. You can use such fruits as raisins, dried currants, dried cherries, dried apricots, chopped dried mango, chopped dried apples, and anything else you enjoy. Simply add the mixed dried fruit at the end, after the granola has completely cooled.
Preheat oven to 325 F.
In a large bowl, combine the oats with the nuts and seeds.
In a small sauce pan, combine the apple juice, honey, oil, vanilla, and spices. Heat on a very low heat just until the honey has softened and everything is well combined. Remove from heat. Pour the mixture over the oats and nuts and stir until well combined.
© Jaymi Heimbuch
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and spread the mixture in a single thin layer over the sheet. Make sure that it is just one layer -- if there is too much piled onto the baking sheet, the granola won't be able to get crunchy.
Bake for 30-40 minutes total, stirring every 12-15 minutes to make sure it all browns evenly. When the granola is an even golden brown, remove from the oven and let cool completely.
© Jaymi Heimbuch
The granola will last for several weeks if stored in an airtight container.
Enjoy this sprinkled over yogurt, oatmeal, fresh fruit or even salads.
© Jaymi Heimbuch
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