Date, Cashew and Honey Granola Recipe - Not Enough Cinnamon (2024)

FAQs

What binds granola together? ›

Flaxseed is wonderful for this, because after 30 minutes it soaks up the water, and turns into a gluey mass that will bind all your granola ingredients together. Also, flaxseed is the most concentrated source of essential omega-3 fatty acids. It has tons of fiber too.

Sugar may not sound as exciting as honey or maple syrup, but those comparatively high-fructose sugars are eager to burn in the oven, making the granola bitter and dark.

Baking time: Increase the baking time for your granola. The longer you bake it, the drier and crunchier it will become. Keep a close eye on it to avoid burning, and stir it occasionally during baking to ensure even toasting.

Let the granola cool completely on the baking sheet.

It'll help clumps stay together. Use the parchment to help break the granola apart: If the granola bakes into a solid sheet, the best way to break it up is to lift an edge of the parchment paper and separate it from the granola.

Nut butter is a super flavorful fat that serves multiple purposes in granola. It acts as a binding agent—along with additional coconut oil and whatever natural sweetener I've chosen—helping to pull the dry ingredients together into a wet, sticky mass for baking.

Honey – Along with the nut butter, it helps all these ingredients stick together! I love its warm amber flavor in this recipe. Vanilla extract – It amps up the bars' warm flavor.

Saturated Fat

Some granola recipes or brands have a lot of saturated fat, often from ingredients like coconut oil. A diet high in saturated fat can harm your heart. Hence, aim for granola packed with more unsaturated fats, such as nuts and seeds.

Granola may prompt weight gain if eaten in excess, as it can be high in calories from added fats and sugars. What's more, sugar is linked to chronic conditions like type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and obesity.

Your homemade granola will continue to crisp up as it cools. It's tempting to start eating it as soon as it comes out of the oven, but if you let it rest for 15 minutes on the sheet pan, it'll be extra crisp and toasty – totally worth the wait!

Keep in mind that the granola won't be dry right out of the oven — it will dry as it cools. So take it out of the oven when it looks lightly toasted and smells like cooked honey. We're going for a toasty smell here. Add dried fruit after baking.

How do you know when homemade granola is done? ›

Keep an eye on your granola and change the oven temperature and cook time as needed. You'll know it's done when the granola and any nuts or seeds begin to brown, but not burn, and the granola is still slightly damp from the wet ingredients.

Most granola contains oats and oats in their pure form are gluten free. However, because most oats are processed in facilities that are producing grains like wheat, barley, and rye, they can contain traces of gluten.

Add your favorite yogurt into each granola cup, then top with fruit and other desired toppings. PRO-TIP: Add the yogurt into the cups just when you're about to eat them, otherwise, as the yogurt sits in them, it will make the granola cups soften.

High-fiber foods, like the oats and whole grains found in granola, fill you up and keep you feeling fuller longer. Dietary studies have found eating a high-fiber diet can help you lose weight. Dried fruit and nuts also contain antioxidants, like vitamin E, which can lower inflammation in the body.

Try putting a scoop in the microwave and heating it in 30 second bursts on high. If it starts to get sticky, you're golden. Let it cool and the granola should stick together. Then just break it apart into clumps with your fingers!

Whether it's homemade or store-bought, properly storing granola will help extend the shelf life and maintain crunchiness. Store granola in an airtight container or tightly sealed zip-top bag in a dry, dark place away from heat.

High-fiber foods, like the oats and whole grains found in granola, fill you up and keep you feeling fuller longer. Dietary studies have found eating a high-fiber diet can help you lose weight. Dried fruit and nuts also contain antioxidants, like vitamin E, which can lower inflammation in the body.