I've tried to make homemade granola a couple of times, with mixed results. Sometimes it burns, sometimes the flavour is dull...still okay but not exactly what I was looking for. Store-bought granola is typically very high in fat and sugar and because my husband is allergic to nuts, it's very difficult to find one that doesn't contain any. I usually buy a raisin granola that is nut-free but the flavour is still super sweet and we pick out the raisins anyway because they are like rocks!
I tried the recipe in the Blue Zones book for a granola made by the Adventists and it is perfect for us! I left out the nuts and nut oils, of course, (substituting olive oil and sunflower seeds), but the basic base recipe is wonderful. The balance of sweet and salty and the mixture of spices is ideal. It did not burn when I baked it and while it seemed like it was still very moist and sticky, it did dry out as it cooled. I'm storing it in mason jars at the moment but I need to pick up one more rubber-sealed glass cereal jar from the bulk store.
While hubby enjoyed adding berries and dried fruit, I piled my bowl with a mixture of nuts, fruit, and shredded unsweetened coconut. The cereal is already sweetened with honey (I used a gorgeous melon-flower honey from the farmer's market - full of flavour!) so nothing else needs to be added other than yogurt or a bit of milk of choice (almond, soy, dairy, coconut, etc.). Next to steel-cut oats, this is my favourite breakfast. It makes a wonderful snack after a workout too!
I used the recipe from the book and highly recommend it but there is a similar one for free on the Blue Zones website HERE. I'm going to give it a try myself when this batch is finished (which won't take long!).
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