There is that window in the evening, when hunger peaks. In the days when time wasn’t a luxury, you had High Tea to cater to these pangs. Now it’s just any random snack you can get your hands on. No matter if you’re in the middle of a meeting or just back from the gym. Of course, the easy option is to eat cold pizza leftover from previous night’s dinner, or a slice of toast with a generous helping of cream cheese or a burger on the pretext that dinner will be just a salad. But 9 out of 10 times it just doesn’t happen. Its either your social life that is too demanding or you’re just plain tired to actually put any effort into preparing your meal at the end of the day.
This post is your answer to a healthy evening snack. It’s delicious; packed with flavors and nutrients. Apart from consuming it at any time of the day, it is quite rewarding to make this too. While it bakes, the kitchen is redolent with the aroma of sweet maple, nuts and cinnamon.
The recipe is easily adapted and you can add in nuts and fruits of your choice. I used hazelnut oil in place of canola oil to add a nutty flavor. The recipe requires for 2 cups of dried fruits. This is where you can really use your imagination and play with flavors you like. I used a combination of dried berries, tropical fruits and dates.
So all you need to do is whip up a batch and store it in an air tight container. Also, if you see the recipe only demands for the fruits to be added in the end, in which case another variation you can try is to divide the mixture into two halves, add different fruits to each, and you can enjoy it day after day sprinkled on yogurt.
- 4 cups oats
- 1 cup flaked coconut
- ¼ cup sesame seeds
- ¼ cup sunflower seeds
- 1 cup chopped nuts (I used walnuts)
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 2 tsp cinnamon
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- ½ cup maple syrup
- ¼ cup canola oil (I used hazelnut oil)
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 2 cups dried fruit (See Notes)
- Preheat the oven to 350F
- In a large bowl, combine all ingredients except for coconut and dried fruits
- Spread on cookie sheet and bake in a preheated oven for 10 minutes.
- As soon as its out of the oven put it back in a bowl and add the coconut, mix well.
- Mix every 10 minutes; the granola is done when it is no longer moist and is a golden color.
- Once its completely cool, add dried fruits and store in airtight container.
We’re seeing the last of the nectarines now and here’s how we savored our granola this morning.
You can head over to Creative Culinary to see Barb’s variation too!
Happy Baking!
Granola is my recent snack of choice, I always like to keep some on hand. I’ve never tried sesame seeds in mine but it sounds wonderful, I will try it.
I’ve never thought about having granola as a snack, but what a great idea!!! Delicious and healthy too.
Love this and the oil you used! Very creative, I love to snack on granola!
this is my type of snacking!!! love the hazelnut oil! :D
It happens with me around 4:30ish .. i want to eat something … nothing too heavy .. but need something with texture and I land up munching chips.
Need to make a jar of these.. seriously!
Lovely granola Anu…
I’m in bed right now, just a little hungry,wishing I had a bowl of your delicious granola! Good night :-)
I struggle with that sometimes too after the end of a really busy day and this granola looks delicious. Have never made my own yet!
Homemade granola is the best. I usually make some every other week and this post reminds me I have one waiting to be published. I have to try using nut oils in my granola too – great idea!
i love homemade granola. healthy and delicious. sounds perfect A!
i agree with you on the cold pizza. this is a great post. i’m going to make a jar today. thanks for sharing.
Granola are among my all-time favorite snack but I also use it to add a nice touch of sweety crunch on some muffins and cakes.
Your recipe is very close to the one I use (i’m going to try the nut’s oil next time)
And, as usual, you give us really great pics.
Thanks
I never realized granola was such a breeze to make until I was forced to make some for Muffin Mondays! LOL. Your variation sounds delicious, love the hazelnut oil and sesame seeds in there.
Oh wow. Love the hazelnut oil :) adding shredded coconut to my next batch thanks to you!
I need to get me some hazelnut oil STAT!!! Wowzers!!!!!!!!!!
Any idea how many calories this is?
If I took into account that the recipe yeilds 40 servings, thats about 4 tablespoons or 1/4 cup per serving, the nutritional value will be:
Calories: 86.7
Saturated Fat: 1.0g
Monounsaturated Fat: 1.6g
Dietary Fiber: 1.2g
Sugars: 8.8g
Protein: 0.9g
Great info! Thanks!
Love this healthy Granola..and with Nectarine..it must have been real treat!
So very true An I find granola to be alife saver with a cup of tea in the evening when you want a tad of sweet but a healthy snack. Love granola!!
I love granola and how versatile it is. Yours looks yummy!
–shelley
Wonderful idea to add the hazelnut oil and the maple syrup! This granola looks and sounds delicious. I think you may have just created the perfect breakfast cereal here!
sounds like a perfectly balanced granola.. yay for healthy snacks!
I have never had hazelnut oil, but oh my heavens I must try it!!! I love love hazelnuts!!! This granola looks lovely:-) Hugs, Terra
mmm, I love nut oils so much. :-) What a lovely thing to add to granola. :-)
My daughter and I made granola together; it not only was expensive, was loaded with calories. More like a dessert, with dessert calories. I will share your recipe with her for a lovely mother daughter project. Looking forward to a healthy breakfast and snack.
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I love coconut in my granola, looks like a great recipe :)
Mmmm! Delish! And super easy too! This is something I could whip up on a Sunday and keep me healthy and full and not grumpy from lack of food :) Buzzed!
I have really been wanting to make granola again. My husband would love it with the coconut in it, and I really should try the hazelnut oil. Great recipe! Buzz!!
PS I’m having my first ever giveaway today. Come check it out! :)
I love that you used hazelnut oil. I bet that really amped up the flavour. I have some in my cupbard that I haven’t opend yet….hmmmmm….
Granola is definitely one of my favorite snacks of choice – this version sounds super tasty =)
Gorgeous Granola!! What a great snack. Much better that other things you just grab for a snack!
I’m addicted to granola as an afternoon snack – keeps me feeling full until dinner, and there are so many possibilities for flavor combinations.
Wow this looks wonderful! Granola is a great snack and even meal sometimes! I love that you used hazelnut oil, I got to get me some of that! :)
This is a wonderful recipe for homemade granola. I make it whenever I can but coconut would really make mine that much better. Yum!
That looks so yummy. I never thought to make my own. I’m feeling inspired.
What a great recipe. Quick, good for you and I would eat this as a meal.
This sounds AMAZING. I love granola!
I love granola! This looks absolutely delicious!!
I’ve yet to make my own granola. But yours looks so much better than anything I could ever buy! Love those flakes of coconut! And that’s a great tip about using hazelnut oil! Lovely pictures!
Just made some granola bars myself — via Ina Garten. They were great but I don’t want to use just one version! I’m trying this, too!
My boyfriend LOVES granola – this might be the perfect little treat to make for him to enjoy as an anytime snack. Beautiful photos too (I buzzed it!) – thanks so much for sharing!
Of all the recipes I’ve seen today, I’m most excited about this one. I have been spending $5.99 a week on a particularly tasty, locally made granola (Cherry Chocolate). It’s so delicious, but so many calories (not to mention a bit pricey–but worth it). When I go to the market tomorrow, I’ll pick up these ingredients and give this granola a try. It looks so delicious with the peaches. Wonderful post!
Cheers,
Alaiyo
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