Easy homemade granola your family will love

Crispy granola is a fantastic addition to yogurt and milk, making it the perfect option for a second breakfast that's easy to pack and take with you. Instead of buying store-bought varieties, which often contain less-than-ideal ingredients, why not try making your own? This simple homemade granola recipe is not only healthier but also more delicious.

Breakfast cereals are a popular choice among children and adults, and it's easy to see why: they offer a quick and convenient breakfast solution. Consider swapping your regular breakfast cereal for crispy granola to elevate this meal. Made from only natural ingredients, this homemade recipe is packed with fiber, healthy fats, and vitamins, making it a nutritious start to your day.

This granola isn't just crispy and simple to prepare; it's extremely tasty, too. You can enjoy it in various ways - with milk, yogurt, a plant-based drink, or even as a snack. Additionally, it's a versatile ingredient that can be added to oatmeal, smoothies, cakes, muesli bars, and much more.

Granola typically combines cereal flakes (like oats or sometimes wheat), dried fruits, nuts, and seeds, all held together with honey, syrup, or another sweetener and then baked until it's wonderfully golden. Using a good oven that distributes heat evenly is key to achieving that perfect crunch and lightness.

Aside from being delicious, granola is an excellent source of fiber, which supports digestion and helps you feel full. It also provides essential vitamins, minerals, and healthy fats, all important for maintaining a healthy body.

The recipe is surprisingly simple. You can start with whatever you have in your kitchen. Oat flakes serve as the base and can be enhanced with various nuts, flaxseed, sunflower seeds, or even dried fruits. Oats are a superb source of fiber and beta-glucan, which contribute to lowering cholesterol levels.

Natural sweeteners like honey, maple syrup, or date syrup binds the ingredients and adds sweetness. Commercial products often contain large quantities of sugar or, worse, high fructose corn syrup. Making granola at home allows you to control the quality of the ingredients and saves money.

Ingredients:

• 3 cups of oat flakes,
• 1 cup of chopped walnuts,
• 1/2 cup of chopped almonds,
• 1/4 cup of sunflower seeds,
• 1/4 cup of flaxseed,
• 1/4 cup of coconut flakes,
• 1/4 cup of raisins,
• 3 tablespoons of honey,
• 1/4 cup of melted butter,
• 1/2 flat teaspoon of salt,
• a pinch of cinnamon.

How to prepare:

1. In a large bowl, mix the oat flakes with the chopped walnuts, almonds, sunflower seeds, flaxseed, coconut flakes, and raisins.
2. In a separate bowl, combine the butter, honey, salt, and cinnamon.
3. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ones and mix well to ensure all the oat flakes are evenly coated. If the mixture seems too dry, add a little more honey.
4. Spread the mixture in a thin layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
5. Bake for about 20-25 minutes at 356 degrees Fahrenheit, stirring every 5-10 minutes to ensure even browning.
6. Let it cool on the baking sheet after removing it from the oven.

Store the granola in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks and enjoy!