Granola is prepared by baking and it is crisp, toasted and golden brown in color. Granola is not just tasty but also quite healthy because it comprises oats and nuts that fiber, iron, heart-healthy unsaturated fats, and proteins respectively.
So, here is a list of the top 5 healthy homemade granola and homemade granola bar recipes for you to try out:
1. Easy Granola at Home
Ingredients:
- 4 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
- 1 ½ cup raw nuts and/or seeds
- 1 teaspoon fine-grain sea salt
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ cup melted coconut oil or olive oil
- ½ cup maple syrup or honey
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ⅔ cup dried fruit, chopped if
How to prepare:
Preheat your oven to about 350 degrees. Then, line a spacious rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. Mix together the oats, nuts and/or seeds, salt and cinnamon. Pour in the oil, maple syrup and/or honey and vanilla. Mix well, until every oat and nut is lightly coated. Pour the granola into the pan and spread it in an even layer. Bake until golden, about 21 to 23 minutes, stirring halfway. The granola will further crisp up as it cools.
2. Granola in Maple Syrup
Ingredients:
- 8 cups rolled oats
- 1 ½ cup wheat germ
- 1 ½ cups oat bran
- 1 cup sunflower seeds
- 1 cup finely chopped almonds
- 1 cup finely chopped pecans
- 1 cup finely chopped walnuts
- ¾ cup honey
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 1 cup vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon of salt and sugar each
How to prepare:
Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Line two large baking sheets with parchment or aluminum foil. Stir to blend the oats, wheat germ, oat bran, sunflower seeds, almonds, pecans, and walnuts in a large bowl. Add the salt, brown sugar, maple syrup, honey, oil, cinnamon, and vanilla in a saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium heat, then pour over the dry ingredients, and stir to coat. Spread the mixture out evenly on the baking sheets. Bake in the preheated oven until the granola is all crispy and toasted. This may take about 20 minutes.
3. Coconut-Buckwheat Granola
Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 cups old-fashioned oats
- 1/2 cup unsweetened flaked dried coconut
- 1/2 cup almonds, coarsely chopped
- 1/2 cup unsalted pumpkin seeds
- 1/4 cup uncooked buckwheat
- 2 tablespoons canola oil
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
How to prepare:
Preheat oven to 375°F. Mix together the first 5 ingredients in a large bowl. Stir oil, honey, salt, and cinnamon in a bowl, with a whisk. Add honey mixture to oat mixture; stir well to coat. Spread the oat mixture on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet in a single layer. Bake at 375°F for 20 minutes or until golden, stirring once after 10 minutes. Cool completely.
4. Granola with Blackberry & Citrus
Ingredients:
- 2 cups 2% reduced-fat milk or plain, unsweetened almond or soy milk
- 1 cup uncooked steel-cut oats
- 1 tablespoon cocoa nibs
- 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup
- 1 cup Coconut-Buckwheat Granola
- 1 cup blackberries
- 1 cup red grapefruit and blood orange segments
How to prepare:
Combine milk and oats in an airtight container and seal. Refrigerate 8 hours or overnight. Add cocoa nibs and maple syrup to oat mixture. Divide oat mixture evenly among 4 bowls; top evenly with granola, blackberries, and citrus segments.
5. Easy Granola Bar at Home
Ingredients:
- 2 1/2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
- 1/2 cup nuts, roughly chopped
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter
- 1/3 cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 3/4 cups total extra mix-ins including chocolate chips, dried fruits, coconut etc.
How to prepare:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line a 9-inch square baking dish with parchment and then place the oats and nuts on a rimmed baking sheet and bake for 8-10 minutes until lightly toasted. After that, add the honey, butter, and brown sugar in a small saucepan. Cook over medium heat until the butter melts and the sugar dissolves, stirring occasionally. When the butter mixture is ready, remove it from the heat and stir in the vanilla and salt. Pour this mixture over the oat and nut mixture and stir to combine. Combine the extra ingredients and stir them well. Let the granola bars cool down for at least 2 hours. Lift the bars from the pan using the edges of the foil or parchment and place them on a cutting board. Cut into desired shapes/sizes and serve.
