Best Ever Homemade Fruit and Nut Granola [Recipe]
Have you been hunting for the perfect granola recipe? Well, look no further; I do believe you have found it! This fruit and nut granola is all the things it ought to be: gluten free, sugar free, and absolutely loaded with nuts and dried fruit. Oh, and did I mention that it also sticks together super well, making it fabulously chunky and crunchy?? Yes, it does that too!
My friend, I do believe today is your day! Say goodbye to store-bought granola and hello to this healthy granola recipe.
Is this granola gluten free?
Yes, when you make it with gluten free oats! Not all granola is gluten free (some recipes call for wheat germ, or else it may be made with regular oats), but this recipe is a simple, delicious gluten free option.
Oats are naturally gluten free, but they are usually processed with wheat. This means that unless you purchase specifically labeled “Gluten free” oats, you can expect that your oats will contain gluten (a protein found in wheat).
Is granola healthy?
Granola is packed with healthy ingredients and can be a much better breakfast option than so many others out there! It is typically made with old-fashioned oats, nuts, seeds, and sometimes (as in this recipe) dried fruits. These ingredients are then coated with a sweet mixture of honey and olive oil with some spices. Delicious!
This particular recipe is made with flax seed as well, which makes it a little extra nutty tasting.
The best ways to eat fruit and nut granola
I love to serve this fruit and nut granola any number of ways. Here are some favourites:
- As a breakfast cereal with milk
- With yogurt and fresh berries in the morning
- In a yogurt parfait
- On its own as a snack (this particular recipe is GREAT for this)
- As a topping for muffins or coffee cake
- With ice cream, for a little extra crunch
- As an easy homemade trail mix
How to store your fruit and nut granola
This recipe will keep very well in a large airtight container, glass jar, or plastic storage bag. You can keep your granola for up to 3-4 weeks at room temperature, but I wouldn’t recommend keeping it for a long time more than that (to prevent the nuts from going rancid).
Tips for making your own granola
Following these simple rules will help make sure that your granola comes out perfectly.
Follow the recipe
While it’s true that granola is an easy thing to make substitutes for, I recommend following this recipe exactly at least the first time you make it so that you know what you’re working with. Make it the right way, the first time. Then try some experiments after that!
Bake on parchment
Baking your granola on parchment is an easy way to keep your granola from sticking, and it makes cleanup a breeze!
Don’t over bake
Once granola gets really hot, the honey will burn quickly. If you want your granola a little darker (after the full bake time is up), you can; however, don’t leave the granola for more than 2 minutes at a time without checking it. It will brown quickly right at the end!
Allow the granola to cool undisturbed
Letting the granola cool undisturbed (ie, not stirring it after it comes out of the oven the last time) is how you can get those wonderful clusters of crunchy granola to stick together. This step (to me) is one of the most important!
Recipe substitutes
Once you’ve tried making this recipe at least once, go ahead and try a few substitutes. Here are my recommended substitutes or additions:
For the honey:
- Maple syrup
- Sugar
Oil substitutes:
- Coconut oil
- Butter
For the currants:
- California raisins
- Dried plump cranberries
- Dried blueberries
Apricot substitutes:
- Dried nectarines/peaches
- Dried mango
For the almonds:
- Any type of nut
Great additions:
- Coconut flakes
- Hemp hearts
- Sesame seeds
- Sunflower seeds
- Green pumpkin seeds
- Chia seeds
How to package fruit and nut granola for gifts
I love packaging food for gifts, and this is one of those easy ones, both to make and to package! Here are some great packaging options for making gifts out of a batch of granola:
Any of those tied up with some nice ribbon or string is a great way to make granola into a beautiful, healthy, homemade gift.
You will need:
- Ingredients (see recipe card)
- Large heavy bottomed saucepan
- Large mixing bowl
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Heat proof spatula
- Cookie lifter or large spoon (for stirring)
- 11×15 cookie sheet
- Parchment paper
- Storage container or plastic bag
Fruit and Nut Granola
This delicious, gluten free, cinnamon kissed granola might be the best recipe I've ever tried. It's sugar free, chunky, and loaded with fruit and nuts!
Ingredients
- ¾ cup dried apricots chopped
- Boiling water
- 3/4 cup honey
- ½ cup olive oil or coconut oil
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- ¼ tsp salt
- 3 cups oats (gluten free, if you want gf granola)
- 1 cup almonds roughly chopped
- ½ cup raw sunflower seeds
- ½ cup ground flax seeds
- ¼ cup dried currants
- 1 tsp vanilla
Instructions
-
Preheat the oven to 325℉. Line a 11×15 baking dish with parchment paper and set it aside.
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Cover the apricot pieces with boiling water and allow them to rest for 20 minutes. Drain, and set aside.
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Meanwhile, combine the honey, oil, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt in a large pot. Bring the mixture to a boil, stirring frequently, and cook until bubbly. Add the oats, almonds, sunflower seeds, and flax seeds and cook for 2-3 minutes, or until fragrant, well coated, and golden brown. Stir in the drained, softened apricot chunks, currants and vanilla.
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Spread the mixture out onto your parchment lined sheet, and bake uncovered for 20 minutes. Using a large spoon or cookie lifter, turn the granola over and bake for 20 minutes more. Cool undisturbed.
-
Store your granola in a large airtight container or food storage bag.
How to Make the Best Ever Homemade Fruit and Nut Granola
Here’s the breakdown of the directions on how to make this delicious homemade granola recipe! This is a great thing to make and have on hand for a healthy snack or easy breakfast.
Preheat the oven to a low temperature
Preheat the oven to 325℉. Line a large baking sheet (11×15) with parchment paper and set it aside.
Soften the apricots
Cover the apricot pieces with boiling water and allow them to rest for 20 minutes. Drain, and set aside.
Make the granola mixture in a large pot
Meanwhile, combine the honey, oil, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt in a large pot. Bring the mixture to a boil, stirring frequently, and cook until bubbly. Add the oats, almonds, sunflower seeds, and ground flax seeds and cook for 2-3 minutes, or until fragrant, well coated, and golden brown. Stir in the drained, softened apricot chunks, currants and vanilla extract.
Bake the granola
Spread the mixture out onto your parchment lined sheet, and bake uncovered for 20 minutes. Using a large spoon or cookie lifter, turn the granola over and bake for 20 minutes more. Cool undisturbed.
Store for freshness
Store your granola in a large airtight container or food storage bag.
If you like this recipe, you may also like:
- Strawberry Raspberry Smoothie
- Mango Pineapple Smoothie Bowl
- Yogurt Breakfast Bowls
- Easy Breakfast Muesli
That’s all for today! I have a few other great granola recipes that I can’t wait to share with you, but for now I’ll leave you with this one. Let me know what you think in the comments, or as always you can tag me in your photos on Instagram @naomicakesofficial. I’d love to see your great work!
Bye for now,
–Naomi
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