My homemade granola

Oven Temperature 170 degrees Celsius

Makes approx. 750 grams to 1 kilo

Ingredients:

• 300 grams rolled oats
• 250 grams mixed seeds and chopped nuts (see hints below)
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 50 grams butter
• 100 ml maple syrup
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
• 50 grams shredded coconut
• 150 grams dried fruit (see hints below)

Method:

Line two large baking trays with foil and baking paper.

In a large bowl mix together the oats, nuts and seeds and the cinnamon and mix together to incorporate all the dry ingredients.

In a small saucepan melt the butter, vanilla extract and maple syrup then add to the dry ingredients and mix well so that all the ingredients are well coated.  Spread onto the baking trays and bake in the oven for 10 mins.

Granola – oats, nuts and seeds ready for baking

Remove trays from the oven and carefully place the mixture back into the large bowl.  Add the coconut and dried fruit and again mix thoroughly so that all the ingredients are coated.  Spread back onto the two trays and bake for a further 10 mins.

Second mixing, the adding of the fruit

Keeping an eye on the mixture make sure it is browning but not burning.  When it is a light golden brown in colour remove trays from oven and let cool completely.

My homemade granola

Once cool place in an air tight container and serve for breakfast with fresh fruit, yoghurt and/or milk.

A serving of granola with fresh fruit

Hints:

With your mixed nuts and seeds make sure you use the combination of nuts and seeds you like.  And make sure you chop the nuts as this makes them easier to eat.  I normally use mixed nuts, peanuts and sunflower seeds (raw and unsalted, you don’t want them roasted as they will be cooked in this recipe).

Mixed nuts

Also with your dried fruit, again use the combination of fruits you enjoy.  I prefer dried cranberries, currants and sultanas or raisins but you can add any dried fruit.  Again if the fruit is bigger make sure you chop it into small bite size pieces so it is easier to eat.

When you are baking the mixture keep an eye on it as it can burn easily.  You may also need to take the trays out of the oven and give the mixture a stir so that it bakes evenly (sometimes, depending on your oven the outside can brown quicker than the middle).