I’m such a sucker for granola. It’s one of my all time favorite snacks or add ones to smoothie bowls and yogurt. I’m not really sure why I’m so crazy about it but I just love granola so much. Since I eat it so often I’ve noticed that I’m always having to buy it and if you want the granola that is full of healthy options and not processed ingredients then it can get a bit pricey. The good thing to this is that granola is actually pretty easy to make and super customizable! With this recipe I went with a more simple granola that had basic flavors. I did this to show you guys an effortless granola to make that you can easily add things too! My only recommendation is if you add more dry ingredients to this like flax seed, quinoa, etc. then make sure to add more wets like applesauce or nut butter to help maintain that gooeyness before baking. This gooeyness is essential for getting the opportunity to break up big chunks after baking and completely cooling.
—— Ingredients——
3 cups gluten free oats
2 bananas mashed
1/4 cup chopped almonds
2 tablespoons cacao nibs or chocolate chips
1/4 cup maple syrup or honey or agave (what you use will change the level of sweetness and type of sweetness. All depends on your preference!)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon salt
——Instructions——
Preheat oven to 215 degrees Fahrenheit.
In a medium bowl mash the bananas until they look like the consistency of applesauce.
Next, add the oats, chopped almonds, maple syrup (or honey or agave), salt and vanilla extract. Stir together until combined.
Next, add half of the chocolate into the bowl. The other half will be used to top the granola after we add it to our baking sheets.
After all the mixing is done grab one or two baking sheets. I use the sheets that have a wall because I like to have thicker granola chunks.
First line the baking sheets with parchment paper. Then take the mixture and pour onto the sheets, depending on how many sheets you use divide the mixture accordingly.
After pouring mixture take a spatula and pack the granola into the sheet. It will look like granola bars in a way but that’s exactly what we want because after baking it we will break off chunks.
Top the granola with the rest of chocolate and pat those into the mixture.
Next, place the sheets into the preheated oven and bake for 40 - 60 minutes.
Once it gets closer to the end time of baking you can tell when they are done by pressing the granola. If they feel like most of the moisture is gone then that’s perfect! There will still be a little left but the next step of this recipe is where they get really crispy.
After taking out of oven let the granola sit until completely cooled. This is where the granola will get that amazing crunch. The liquid we used in the recipe caramelized in the oven so now that it is cooling all that gooeyness is going to harden and give us those amazing chunks!
After completely cooled you can then break off pieces of granola. The sizes are completely up to you so go crazy with them!
I absolutely love this recipe and am so happy with how it turned out. I also love that it’s very basic so it gives you guys room to be creative and add flavors you enjoy! I will definitely be making this with other flavors soon so look out for those in the next few weeks!!
If you end up making this granola make sure to tag @hanshomemadeeats on Instagram so I can see all of your creations!!
Happy cooking -Han ❤️
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