I LOVE making granola! Why don’t I do it more often? It is so, so easy and really quick. Yet it sounds like such an… ambitious thing to do?! Like, who do you think you are?! Deliciously Ella? (Love her by the way, but you know what I’m saying…). Honestly. Of all the recipes I post here where I say “this is easy”; this is the easiest. It’s a really nice one to make with children. Convinced? Good.
I wandered around Holland and Barrat yesterday intending on just buying one or two things. Then came out £50 lighter. As you do. Still, I managed to top up on a few healthy ingredients, and in my opinion, money spent on food is money well spent. Chia seeds were part of my haul, and seeing as I bought two big bags of the insanely expensive tiny dots I thought I’d better use them.
This granola can be adapted. Chop up dates and replace the apricots. Try garam masala instead of cinnamon. Throw in sesame seeds for the chia. Swap honey for maple syrup. Walnuts for almonds. Oats for quinoa flakes. Coconut oil for olive oil!!! OK! OK! I think you get the drift.
The important thing with granola is that you mix equal parts oil and sweet. Adding these to a base of normally oats. Then add crunch, spice, juiciness (don’t do sultanas or raisins though as I find it impossible to make granola with them without burning them!), and always, always a pinch of salt.
Watch the oven like a hawk; granola burns like a b*tch. Oh, and do make double, you may as well. I should’ve really. Serve with milk, yogurt or use in baking to add to crumbles, cookies or whatever the hell you like!
Makes: 1/2 a Kilner jar full (About 8-10 cereal servings)
Prep time: 10 mins
Cook time: 20 mins
Total time: 30 mins
Ingredients:
4 tablespoons of maple syrup
4 tablespoons of coconut oil
100g oats
1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon of salt
3-4 tablespoons of chia seeds
5 tablespoons of coconut flakes
About 12 soft apricots, chopped roughly
75g walnuts, chopped roughly
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 200C.
- Simply melt the coconut oil in a microwave for about 30 seconds. Mix the syrup in.
- Add all the other ingredients to a bowl. Mix well. Taste to see if the balance is right. You might want a lick more sweetness or something.
- Spread out on a baking sheet or tray. Roast for 15-20 mins.
- Check every 5 or so minutes and toss regularly to prevent burning.
- Leave to cool then pop in a jar or similar.
