The truth is – porridge isn’t my thing. Sorry porridge lovers (my husband included) but I just do not like the taste of it. Oatmeal, however, is a different story, this brilliant, super simple, basic ingredient is the base to so many wonderful recipes (e.g. my amazing Oatmeal Cookies) – I love it! and this recipe is another great example.
This is a new, simpler, a tad bit healthier version of my breakfast granola, it is super quick to make – 20 minutes clean-up included – and is a great way to kick start the day, packed with healthy nuts protein, fruits vitamin and burst with oatmeal energy.
Ingredients:
3 cups rolled oatmeal
2/3 cup roughly chopped nuts*
1/3 cup finally chopped apricot
1/3 cup finally chopped cranberries
1/4 cup desiccated coconut
1/4 cup pumpkin seeds
1 tbsp light dark sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
¼ cup coconut oil
1/4 tsp salt
1 tsp vanilla extract
* I used pistachios, walnuts and almonds, however you can use whichever nuts you like.
Method:
Preheat your oven to 210℃ \ 190℃ fan \ 410 ℉ \ Gas 6
In a small bowl mix together coconut oil, sugar, cinnamon, vanilla and salt, warm the mixture in a microwave for circa 20 sec, to melt the coconut oil and sugar together.
In a large bowl, mix together oatmeal, nuts, coconut and pumpkin seeds.
Add the oil-spices mixture and mix well. Rub the mix with your hands, making sure all is well coated.
Spread the oatmeal mixture on a baking sheet aligned with baking paper, try to keep it in one layer to allow all the mixture to bake the same.
Bake in preheated oven for 8 minutes, remove the mixture and mix well before returning to the oven for another 5 minutes. The nuts and oats should be golden but not brown.
Remove from oven and immediately add the chopped fruits, mixing all thoroughly.
Allow to cool for 20-25 minutes before storing in a sealed container.
Tips:
This is a great example of a recipe to follow your own likes, feel free to exchange any of the nut\fruits with things you like to eat, just make sure you keep the relations between oatmeal-nuts-fruits, you don’t want to end up with oatmeal only or overbearing fruit\nuts flavours.
You can store the ready granola in a sealed container for up to two months!
Recommendation: combine with melted chocolate to make these fantastic granola bars.
