Looking for a healthy and tasty snack? Look no further than this AARP granola recipe.
Granola recipe made with wholesome ingredients like oats, nuts, and dried fruit, this granola is perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth without sacrificing your health. So give it a try today!
You don’t even need a recipe. Just take some old-fashioned oats, nuts, dried fruit, honey or maple syrup, and spices—whatever sounds good to you—and mix them together.
Spread the mixture on a baking sheet and bake at 300 degrees for about 30 minutes or until golden brown.
Stir frequently so that the granola doesn’t burn. Voilà! Homemade granola that’s delicious and healthy too. Enjoy!
What Is A Good Binder For Granola?
There are a few different options for binders in granola recipes. Some people use honey, while others use maple syrup. There are also recipes that use oil or butter.
Ultimately, it’s up to you which binder you prefer. Just make sure that whatever you choose is healthy and doesn’t have too many calories.
Another option is to use a combination of binders. For example, you could use honey and maple syrup together. This will give your granola a nice flavor and also help it to stay together. Experiment until you find a combination that you like.
AARP Granola Recipe:
Ingredients:
- 2 cups old-fashioned oats
- 1/2 cup almonds (chopped)
- 1/4 cup of mixed seeds (hemp, flax, chia, etc.) or nuts (optional)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon cinnamon
- 3 tablespoons maple syrup or honey
Optional: dried fruit, like cranberries, blueberries, cherries, or raisins
Preparation:
- Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C).
- Mix together the dry ingredients (oats through salt) in a large bowl.
- Drizzle the maple syrup over the mixture and mix well with a spoon or your hands until everything is moist.
- Spread the mixture on a sheet pan and bake for 30 minutes, stirring every 10 or 15 minutes so it cooks evenly.
- After the granola has cooled, add dried fruit, roasted nuts, chocolate chips, store in an airtight container, and add desired ingredients when ready to serve.
Variations:
Sweet and Salty Granola: Use 1/4 cup of coconut sugar instead of the honey/maple syrup. Add some pretzel pieces, roasted cashews, or peanuts after baking.
Pumpkin Spice Granola: Add 1/4 cup of pumpkin puree, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger, and a dash of ground cloves. Roast for 10 minutes longer than the recipe calls for.
Coconut Granola: Use desiccated coconut instead of oats and add 2 tablespoons of coconut oil to the mixture. Omit salt and add a pinch of salt.
Chocolate Chip Granola: Add 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips after the granola has cooled completely.
Tips And Tricks On How To Make It Taste Better:
- Add a teaspoon of vanilla extract to the wet ingredients.
- Swap out some of the dry ingredients for different types of nuts or seeds.
- Try using brown sugar in place of maple syrup or honey.
- Add 1/4 cup of shredded coconut to the mixture.
- Switch up the spices to create different flavors. Try ginger, nutmeg, or cloves.
- If the granola is too dry when it comes out of the oven, add a tablespoon of melted coconut oil, honey, or maple syrup.
- If the granola is too crumbly, bake it for a few minutes longer.
- For added crunch, try using chopped peanuts or almonds.
- For a festive twist, add some dried cranberries during the last few minutes of cooking.
How To Store The Granola?
Store your homemade granola in an airtight container for up to 1 month. You can store it in the pantry or the cupboard, but make sure you keep it away from any moisture or heat sources.
Why It’s Healthy For You?
Oats are a great source of vitamins, minerals, fiber, and antioxidants. Almonds are full of healthy monounsaturated fats, while pumpkin seeds are full of zinc, magnesium, and other good stuff! Maple syrup is high in manganese which can help to prevent osteoporosis.
Conclusion
As you can see, making your own granola is pretty easy, and it tastes delicious. You can customize the recipe to fit your dietary or taste preferences. It’s also very inexpensive compared to store-bought brands.
That said, you shouldn’t eat too much of it on a regular basis because it does contain some unhealthy ingredients like sugar and saturated fat. But as an occasional snack or breakfast option, it’s definitely a good choice!
AARP Granola Recipe: Best 9 Tips To Make It Taste Better
Ingredients
- 2 cups old-fashioned oats
- 1/2 cup almonds chopped
- 1/4 cup of mixed seeds hemp, flax, chia, etc. or nuts (optional)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon cinnamon
- 3 tablespoons maple syrup or honey
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C).
- Mix together the dry ingredients (oats through salt) in a large bowl.
- Drizzle the maple syrup over the mixture and mix well with a spoon or your hands until everything is moist.
- Spread the mixture on a sheet pan and bake for 30 minutes, stirring every 10 or 15 minutes so it cooks evenly.
- After the granola has cooled, add dried fruit, roasted nuts, chocolate chips, store in an airtight container, and add desired ingredients when ready to serve.
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