Store-bought granola never has enough fruit, nut or seeds. EVER. Then there’s the fact that it often has all sorts of additives, especially hidden sugars! Did you really think that the granola you buy from the store was 100% healthy? Homemade is always better! You control what you put in, and you can source your own ingredients and know what’s going into your food.

I’ve made granola a few times, and I’ve been tweaking things to figure out what works best for me. Here’s my recipe for the perfect healthy homemade granola. I hope you like it as much as my family does!

Prep time: 5 minutes

Cooking time: 15-20 minutes

Makes 14 servings. Each serving is 40g.

 Dry ingredients

• 4 cups of whole rolled oats
• ½ cup *peanuts (chopped)
• ¼ cup **linseeds
• ¼ cup **sesame seeds
• ½ cup ***mixed dry peel
• ½ cup ***raisins
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1 tsp nutmeg
• ¼ tsp sea salt (ordinary salt works too)
• ½ cup desiccated coconut

Wet ingredients

• 2 tsp vanilla extract/ essence
• 1/3 cup extra virgin ****coconut oil
• ½ cup honey

Method:

1. Line a large square oven tray with aluminium foil and preheat the oven to 150̊C -160̊C.
2. In a large bowl, mix the dry ingredients: oats, nuts, seeds, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt. Mix well. (Leave out the dried fruit and coconut. We will put that in last)
3. In a large cup/ separate container, mix the wet ingredients: honey, coconut oil and vanilla.
4. Create a well in the dry mix in the bowl. Slowly add the wet mix in three parts, while mixing well at each step.
5. Ensure all the dry ingredients are coated properly and results in a sticky (slightly messy) mix.
6. Transfer the mix to the lined tray and spread it evenly on the tray.
   

   

   
7. Bake for 15-20 minutes, turning the mix every 3-5 minutes (very important so that it bakes evenly), till a golden brown colour and a warm toasty smell starts to emanate.
8. Leave out to cool completely, about 15 minutes should do.
9. Once cooled, add in the dried fruit (raisins and peel) and desiccated coconut and store in an airtight container.

Serve with plain natural yoghurt or milk. Great for breakfast and as a snack.

(Tip: for extra clumpy granola, before baking, press the mix firmly onto the tray with a spatula, compacting and binding it. Add a little oil and honey at every 3-5 minute mark while baking and repeat the pressing to compact and bind. Once cooked and cooled, break it apart into large clumps.)

*Use nuts of your choice; cashews and almonds work great. If allergic, leave them out and use seeds instead.

**You could use any seeds really; sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, chia seeds etc

*** Use dried fruit of your choice; sultanas, dates, cranberries etc. I like raisins because they are cheap, and for their sweetness and added colour. Peel adds a citrusy flavour.

****I’ve used olive oil before. Olive oil gives a more savoury flavour while coconut oil is warmer and sweeter. Both are great. You could also use cold-pressed sunflower oil or vegetable oil, but virgin oils are better flavour-wise and for your health too.

I really appreciate every person that reads this. Sending love and good energy your way!

LOVE AND LOVE.