Fruit and Nut Granola

December 12, 2018mayurisjikoni
Blog post

EVENT: HEALTHY WELLTHY CUISINES

THEME: 58 HWCG #NUTTYNUT AT HW

The fortnight has just passed so quickly. I feel I just made the paneer chutney sandwich for this group just the other day! We’re back to another theme. This time the theme suggested was Dry Fruits. Then there was a lot of confusion over this term as dry fruits in India is also used for nuts whereas elsewhere in the world nuts are nuts and dry fruits are fruits that are dried. 

I was obviously quite confused as there was quite a bit of controversy over it. However, I decided to stick to both nuts and dry fruits. I already had a delicious cookie recipe ready, but my daughter didn’t approve. Not that the cookies didn’t taste good, it was because we could not see the nuts in the cookies!

As I was thinking what to make using both and something healthy it suddenly dawned on me that I don’t have a homemade granola recipe on my blog. I was not too happy about using the quick oats but as the saying goes ‘beggars can’t be choosers’. The on 4th Dec, WhatsApp groups went mad with the announcement that a new supermarket Naivas has opened its doors to the public. You may wonder what’s so thrilling about a new supermarket. For the people of Mombasa especially on the island its the biggest news ever. After the giant Nakumatt closed its doors (I hear its not because of lack of business but more to do with embezzlement!), we lacked a proper supermarket where mostly everything is available. Nakumatt had definitely spoilt us. 

Daughter and I went to check out the new supermarket a couple of days ago. As soon as I entered the place, I thought I was in a Supermarket in Nairobi or Dubai. No seriously its so huge and practically everything is available there. I saw jumbo oats and immediately bought some without even asking the price. Excitement knows no bounds for a Food Blogger, don’t you agree? Did I mention that the Supermarket is just opposite to my apartment complex? Hubby reckons he will have to find me there whenever I’m not at home 😉

Getting down to the granola recipe, I seriously never thought that it would be so easy to make it at home and here I’ve been spending so much on ready made ones where we literally can count the number of nuts and fruits added. I’m a big fan of granola especially with plain yogurt. 

So here are some simple tips to making an awesome batch of granola at home. 

  • Use good quality oats.
  • Use fresh nuts, seeds, desiccated coconut and dried fruit.
  • Add dried fruits at the end as they can get chewy or burn.
  • Make an even layer in the tray of the granola so that it gets baked evenly.
  • You need to add good fat. Cannot make a good granola without it.
  • Remember that the granola will continue to ‘cook’ even after its out of the oven. So don’t wait till it gets extra brown.
  • There are no strict rules as to how much ingredients you can add to the granola. You prefer more nuts then by all means add more.
  • Swap ingredients to make granola taste interesting and different. E.g. instead of adding pumpkin seeds, add flax seeds or sunflower seeds.
  • Add cacao nibs at the end.
  • Don’t use too much spice powder at the beginning. Add more if required.
  • Temperature is of the utmost importance. My first batch of granola I had made a couple of years ago got burnt as the recipe that I followed suggested baking at 180°C for 30 minutes. I like to set the temperature at 150-160°C. That way the oats don’t brown too easily and the nuts don’t get burnt.
  • Use good quality sweetener.

 Lets now get to the simple recipe.

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FRUIT AND NUT GRANOLA

Makes about 4 cups

Ingredients required:

2 cups of jumbo rolled oats 

1-2 tsp spice powder (can use cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, pumpkin spice, apple pie spice, etc)

½ cup nuts, chopped to bite size  (I used cashew nuts, almonds, pistachios and walnuts)

½ cup dried fruits, I used blueberries, cranberries, pineapple and cherries, chop is necessary

½ tsp sea salt or a salt of your choice

1 tsp vanilla extract, you can use any flavor you like

3 tbsp butter, can also use oil

3 tbsp maple syrup, you can use brown sugar, honey or agave

Preparation:

  1. Preheat the oven to 160°C.
  2. Line a baking tray with parchment paper or use a silicone mat.
  3. Mix the oats, spice, nuts in a big bowl.
  4. Add butter, flavoring, salt and maple syrup into a small pan.
  5. Heat it gently over low heat till the butter melts and the mixture is mixed well.
  6. Pour the mixture over the oats mixture and using a spatula, mix it well.
  7. Spread the granola into a thin even layer on the prepared tray.
  8. Bake for 30-40 minutes, mixing it every 10 minutes for even baking.
  9. When the granola is golden brown, remove it from the oven.
  10. Add the dried fruits and mix well.
  11. Let it cool for 5-10 minutes.
  12. Store in an airtight container.
  13. Enjoy it for breakfast with cold milk, hot milk or yogurt.

Tips:

  • Add ingredients of your choice. Make a chocolate one for kids and adults too by adding chocolate chips at the end.
  • Adjust the sweetener according to your taste.
  • Replace ingredients to make a new flavor.
  • I used Pumpkin Pie spice mixture
  • To get clump texture of granola, add a little more of the fat and sweetener, not too much. Then tightly pat down the mixture in the tray before putting it in the oven.

Pin for Later:

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A little request:

If you do try this recipe then please either

  • add a comment below,
  • send a picture to my email mayuri.ajay.patel62@gmail.com
  •  tag me as #mayuri_jikoni on Instagram
  • or tag me on Twitter as #Mayuri1962

Check out some other ways you can use granola:

Blog post

Fruit and Nut Yogurt Parfait

Apple Crumble Parfait

No bake Granola Bars

Sharing this recipe with the following event:

Members of this group cook fortnightly a dish according to the theme.


Check out what members have made for the nutty nut theme:

Shahi Mega Korma/Royal Nuts Curry by Shalu

Badam Puri/ Flourless Butterless Almond Cookies by Ruchi

Salted Cashew Nuts by Jayashree

Monaco Mango Bites by Priya

Zarda Pulao by Vanitha

5 minute Pavlova Parfait with yogurt cream and dry fruits by Seema

Date Truffles by Sasmita

Nutty Frutti Cookies by Rosy

Layered Fruit and Nut Raita by Geetanjali

 

32 Comments

  • The Girl Next Door

    December 12, 2018 at 8:33 pm

    Wow, the granola looks so inviting! I’d love to grab a couple of spoonfuls from that bowl. 🙂

    1. mayurisjikoni

      December 12, 2018 at 9:19 pm

      Thanks Priya and its easy to make.

  • Ruchisvegkitchen

    December 14, 2018 at 8:40 am

    Superb. Looks tempting . Healthy and crunchy snack … Perfect for season and theme. Loved the detailed post. Lovely pictures

    1. mayurisjikoni

      December 14, 2018 at 5:25 pm

      Thank you so much Ruchi, clicks are by my daughter who is here on holiday.

      1. Ruchisvegkitchen

        December 14, 2018 at 5:34 pm

        Oh wow … So even she is a great photographer .. Best Wishes to her too

      2. mayurisjikoni

        December 14, 2018 at 5:38 pm

        Thank you so much Ruchi.

  • Shalu Jain

    December 14, 2018 at 10:43 am

    Ahaaaaa!! Loving it💗💗
    This is on my to do list.
    Yours is looking so healthy, so perfect, so inviting.

    1. mayurisjikoni

      December 14, 2018 at 5:23 pm

      Thank you so much Shalu.

  • curryandvanilla

    December 14, 2018 at 2:29 pm

    Wow!! I can have this any time of the day! A large bowl of this healthy granola full of nuts and a good book is all I need! Fabulous share dear <3

    1. mayurisjikoni

      December 14, 2018 at 5:21 pm

      Thank you so much Vanitha, I love my granola with yogurt, makes a perfect snack too.

  • jayashreetrao

    December 14, 2018 at 5:08 pm

    Recently I too had made something similar and its a good snack to binge. Yours looks yumm.

    1. mayurisjikoni

      December 14, 2018 at 5:19 pm

      Thank you Jayashree, it is definitely a good snack option too.

  • Geetanjali Tung

    December 15, 2018 at 9:54 am

    Granola looks so inviting… I can have this anytime. Perfect share for the theme☺

    1. mayurisjikoni

      December 18, 2018 at 5:55 pm

      Thank you so much Geetanjali.

  • Sasmita Sahoo Samanta

    December 15, 2018 at 1:20 pm

    SUch a healthy and fully packed with nutrients is this granola. Such a lovely breakfast option. The clicks are so beautiful here di as well !!

    1. mayurisjikoni

      December 18, 2018 at 5:51 pm

      Thank you so much Sasmita, and yes its healthy as one can control how much sweetener they want to add.

  • Karen @ Seasonal Cravings

    December 19, 2018 at 2:23 am

    I love all your tips for making the perfect granola. It’s so nice to have it in the house bc it can be used in so many ways and my kids love it!

    1. mayurisjikoni

      December 19, 2018 at 7:31 pm

      Thank you so much Karen.

      1. Preethicuisine

        October 10, 2020 at 9:45 am

        Home made granola is so nutritious and Delish. I have been thinking of making this for a Long time . Thanks for the lovely tips . Will be easier for me make now .

      2. mayurisjikoni

        October 10, 2020 at 1:38 pm

        Thanks Preethi, making granola at home is very easy.

  • Laura | Wandercooks

    December 21, 2018 at 7:22 am

    Seriously, how much fun is it exploring a new supermarket?! We’re so addicted haha, it’s amazing all the new things you discover. I’ve never made granola at home before so definitely keen to give this one a try!

    1. mayurisjikoni

      December 23, 2018 at 10:45 am

      Laura, for people staying in Mombasa town the new supermarket is like a treasure trove, as when the last closed down due to mismanagement, for nearly a year we would actually have to hunt for goods in different shops which is so irritating. Please do try out the granola at home, its so easy.

  • kavitafavelle

    December 22, 2018 at 2:05 pm

    Had no idea that the term dry fruits in India refers to nuts! That’s kind of crazy but so interesting! Very clever solution to go for a recipe that uses both nuts and dried fruits, the granola looks great!

    1. mayurisjikoni

      December 23, 2018 at 10:37 am

      Thanks Kavita, during festivals you ask for dry fruit in shops and they’ll give you or point out nuts.

  • Natalie

    December 23, 2018 at 3:03 pm

    Superyummy! Looks sooooo tempting. Lovely photos, great work <3

    1. mayurisjikoni

      December 25, 2018 at 11:05 am

      Thank you so much Natalie.

  • @Rosynayak

    January 13, 2019 at 6:31 am

    Granola are always a welcome breakfast option . They look crunchy and full of goodness

  • yarnsnknots

    January 13, 2019 at 7:41 pm

    What a fantastic share. Once i am done with the travels i want to make it.

    1. mayurisjikoni

      January 14, 2019 at 11:12 pm

      Thanks Seema, do try out the recipe.

  • Janice

    February 3, 2019 at 7:06 pm

    I’m a bit fan of granola and this recipe looks wonderful

  • Renu Agrawal Dongre

    January 11, 2020 at 4:26 pm

    Homemade granola are the best. You can add whatever you like in it. I too make this and it becomes so handy for breakfast or even for your evening munching snacks

    1. mayurisjikoni

      January 11, 2020 at 6:10 pm

      Thanks Renu, it does make a wonderful snack option too.

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