HEALTHY HOME-MADE GRANOLA RECIPE
Finding commercial granola that does not contain oil is nearly impossible. This is a food that can be perfectly delicious, and still crunchy, without added oil. Making your own homemade granola is easy, and you don’t even need a food dehydrator. Serve over hot cereal or with fruit.
- – 2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
- – ½ cup raisins
- – ½ cup sliced almonds (optional)
- – ½ cup water or orange zest and orange juice or apple sauce
- – 4 ounces pitted dates (7 to 8 Medjool or 14 to 16 Deglet Noor, steamed)
- – 1½ teaspoons vanilla extract (or seeds from 1 to 2 vanilla beans)
- – 1¼ teaspoons cinnamon
- – ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- Place the liquid ingredient, dates, vanilla, cinnamon, and nutmeg into a blender and set aside for at least 15 minutes (so the dates can soften).
- Preheat the oven to 250°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper, and set them aside.
- Combine the oats, raisins, and almonds (if using) in a medium bowl.
- Blend the dates, vanilla, cinnamon, and nutmeg until smooth. Pour this into the bowl of oats, raisins, and nuts, and stir well.
- Spread the granola evenly between the two baking sheets, breaking up any large clumps. Bake for 30 minutes.
- Remove the baking sheets from the oven and shuffle the granola around with a spatula. Return to the oven (but switch racks for even browning) for 20 to 25 minutes more, or until lightly browned.
- Completely cool the granola for maximum crunchiness.
Shopping tips: Look for dates in the bulk food section or packaged near the raisins. Make sure your raisins have not had oil or sugar added to them.
Note: Try unsweetened fruit juice (orange, tangerine, or apple) instead of water for added sweetness and flavor.
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