I have read somewhere that to make granola is so easy it can be hardly called recipe. Indeed is easy, however if you have never done it, some basic instructions would be appreciated even if is only useful to avoid having to try a couple of things before it works out.
Granola is very fashionable at the moment. When people are becoming more and more aware of how bad the breakfast cereals are for you (and your kids) in reality, ladden with refined sugars and hardly any real nutritional value other than lots of fast burning carbs, homemade things that SOUND healthier are rising in popularity. Problem? Well if you have a look at the amount of sugars contained in most store sold granolas, they should actually be considered a dessert. Because let’s be honest, non refined sugars like honey and syrups, are still sugars.
Nothing wrong with a bit, but often difficult to eat the recommended dosage. The key to a granola versus a normal muesli is that has been oven baked and it is caramelised which makes it crunchy and sweet. In this recipe I have tried two things, one with a low carb sugar, Agave syrup, and the other one with birch sugar, xylitol. Both of them have the advantage of a low GI (Glycemic Index) making the carbohydrates slower to burn sustaining energy levels longer. The benefit of the xylitol over the agave is the amount of calories since agave has pretty much the same as regular sugar and is very high in fructose (not so good), so the version with xylitol is better but the flavour is different to the traditional ones made with honey and the sorts.
In any case, this is not breakfast cereal, this is something you can add to a smoothie bowl, a yogurt or a dessert. Is it not expensive, adds really good taste to your food and it’s visually very pretty which also makes you like more what you are eating.
For example, a whipped coconut yogurt with some berries and granola is ย a fantastic alternative to a tradicional sweet dessert, a breakfast or an afternoon snack.
Ingredients:
500 gr. oats
10 hazelnuts, chopped
1/4 cup sliced almonds
1/4 cup sunflower seeds
1/4 cup pumpkin seeds
2 tbsp. sesame seeds
1/2 cup raisins
2/3 tbsp. coconut oil
2/3 tbsp. xylitol syrup or agave nectar
How to…
Preheat the oven to 165C and in a large bowl melt the coconut oil and the xylitol. The add in all the ingredients except the sliced almonds and the raisins.
Make sure all the ingredients are mixed with the oil and xylitol and spread evenly on an over tray. Bake for 15 minutes, then bring out and mix in the almonds and the raisins and get back into the oven ย for another 15 minutes or until golden brown.
Wait until it is completely cold before storing. It can be kept in an air tight container for about 6 weeks.
Enjoy!
I will definitely give this one a try. Thanks for sharing. Gorgeous pictures!
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Thanks Annika! I saw yours too, so so cute! xo
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Thanks, you are right… I posted one not too long ago. I have never used xylitol before, it will be my first time. My go-to sweeteners are always honey and jaggery (what I grew up with), maple syrup (living in Canada!) as well as sucanat. I also still use refined sugars (in low amounts and occasionally) when less refined options don’t work well as a replacement. Can xylitol always be used a a replacement?
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I love Maple Syrup but it is still quite high in sugar (the body register is as such) same as Agave and honey. Xylitol is generally presented as a granule, similar to white refined sugar in texture and reacts similarly so it is pretty good for baking, sprinkling etc… I haven’t found anything that is not good for actually! I haven’t tried to do caramel with it yet though. I have never heard of jaggery!! ๐ฎ i will look it up! thanks ๐
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Thanks for the info. Jaggery is unrefined cane sugar…. it is used in Indian cuisine. Google it, there will be lots of info.
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Stunning photographs! This sounds very interesting and delicious!
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Thank you! it is very delicious indeed hehe ๐
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๐:)
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Sounds delicious and delightful! Caramel is my new favorite ingredient in ice cream, coffee, baked goods and now, granola. Smiles Robin ๐
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It does go well with most things haha caramel makes pretty much everything better! ๐ Thanks for stopping by!! xo
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