Organic Granola Recipe
How To Store Granola
Ahh granola, a delightful mix of nuts, seeds, dried fruit, and that satisfying crunch. With the right ingredients, it's not only a reliable breakfast option but also a versatile snack (I love it with almond milk, but you can add it to smoothies, yogurt, and even ice cream). Whether you've just made a batch of homemade granola or purchased a store-bought favorite, proper storage is key to maintaining its freshness and crunch. So, how to store it?
Cool Completely Before Storage:
Before putting your granola into its storage container, make sure it has cooled completely. Hot granola can create condensation inside the storage container, leading to a loss of its characteristic crispiness.
Airtight Containers:
The enemy of granola freshness is moisture. Choose airtight containers, such as glass jars or containers with tight-fitting lids, to keep humidity at bay. This prevents the granola from becoming soft and stale. I rarely use plastic these days, and stick with glass containers in my fridge. Here are some of my favorites.
Keep It Dark:
Sunlight can affect the quality of certain ingredients in granola, like nuts and seeds. Store your granola in a cool, dark place, like a pantry or cupboard, to preserve its flavor and nutritional value.
Avoid the Fridge:
While some foods benefit from refrigeration, granola is not one of them. Refrigerators can introduce moisture, causing the granola to lose its crunch. Stick to storing it at room temperature.
Separate Ingredients:
If your granola includes dried fruits, it's wise to store them separately from the rest of the mix. Dried fruits can release moisture, potentially affecting the texture of the granola. Add them in when serving rather than during storage. This of course is good if your granola lasts a long time, we devour it pretty fast so it's not an issue for us.
Use Desiccants:
For an extra layer of protection against moisture, consider placing desiccant packs in the granola container. These packs help absorb any excess humidity and maintain the granola's crispiness.
Freeze for Long-Term Storage:
If you've made a large batch and want to store granola for an extended period, freezing is an option. Place the granola in a freezer-safe container and thaw it at room temperature before serving.
Regular Checks:
Periodically check your stored granola for any signs of staleness or changes in texture. If you notice any issues, consider transferring it to a new airtight container or refreshing it in the oven for a few minutes.
By following these simple storage tips, you can extend the life of your homemade granola and continue to enjoy its delightful crunch and flavor. Whether you savor it as a breakfast bowl topper or a midday snack, a little care in storage goes a long way in maintaining the quality of your granola. Happy crunching!
Granola Recipe Ingredients (+Variations!)
I love granola. This can be one of your great recipes because you can tailor the granola to your preferences. For information on nutrition, you can always look up an online nutrition calculator depending on your ingredients.
Ingredients:
1 cup quinoa flakes
1 cup buckwheat groats
1/2 cup chopped nuts (e.g., almonds, walnuts, or your choice)
1/2 cup seeds (e.g., pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds)
1/2 cup shredded coconut (unsweetened)
1/4 cup coconut oil, melted
1/4 cup maple syrup or honey
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup dried fruit (e.g., raisins, cranberries, chopped apricots, dried blueberries) added at the end!
Instructions:
Preheat your oven to 300°F (150°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a large bowl, combine quinoa flakes, buckwheat groats, chopped nuts, and seeds.
In a small saucepan, melt the coconut oil over low heat. Remove from heat and stir in the maple syrup or honey, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and salt.
Pour the wet ingredients over the dry ingredients in the bowl and mix well until everything is evenly coated. Remember to add the coconut flakes for halfway through baking!
Spread the mixture in an even layer on the prepared rimmed baking sheet.
Bake for about 15 minutes, and then add in the coconut sheds
Bake for another 25 minutes
Remove from the oven and let it cool completely on the baking sheet.
Once cooled, stir in the dried fruit.
Store the granola in an airtight container at room temperature.
Enjoy your homemade organic granola without oats!
Homemade Granola Tips
The first thing to remember is experimenting with granola is SO easy and will make it more to your liking. Don't like pumpkin seeds? Try sunflower seeds instead! You can also try chopped walnuts, macadamia nuts, sesame seeds or even chocolate chips (just remember to add in the dried fruit and chocolate chips AFTER baking). Delicious granola is so easy to make from home and you won't have to worry about all the preservatives and sugar from the store-bought brands.
I don't like using rolled oats in my granola because of the glyphosate (a harmful pesticide that's often sprayed on oat crops), and also because there can be trace amounts of gluten.
If you're looking for some dried fruit mix ins look no further to make YOUR best granola. Always remember to add dried fruit after baking. Options include:
Dried apricots
Dried cranberries
Dried blueberries
Raisins
Golden raisins
Dried mango
Dates
As for other options, for added crunchy goodness, and some amazing flavor here are some of my favorite nuts and additional add-ins:
Hemp hearts
Chia Seeds
Macadamia nuts
Almonds (I particularly like slivered almonds)
Walnuts
Pecans
Sesame seeds
Pumpkin seeds
Chocolate chips
It's a simple recipe but boy is it worth it. Let me know if you end up making it and how it tastes! Then tell me your favorite combo!
