Please let me know how this recipe turns out for you in the comments! I love hearing from you and hope this granola recipe becomes your new favorite. Fats like vegetable oil, coconut oil, and nut butters are often included to help bind the ingredients, add flavor, and aid in the toasting process.

Improve gut health. Granola has been found to increase levels of healthy gut bacteria, compared with refined breakfast cereals ( 11). Reduce blood sugar. Whole grains, dried fruit, nuts, and seeds may help reduce and control blood sugar levels, particularly in people with obesity or prediabetes ( 12, 13, 14).Oil helps make this granola crisp and irresistible. I prefer unrefined coconut oil, which is delicious (you can barely taste the coconut, if at all) and produces the perfect texture. By the way, you can preserve that freshly baked flavor by storing this granola in the freezer. Just let it warm to room temperature for a few minutes, and enjoy. These ingredients are full of fiber and good fats, making granola a nutrient-dense food. Here are some of the ways eating granola can benefit your health:

Instead, the first few ingredients should be whole foods, such as oats, nuts, seeds, and dried fruit. 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. For fresh citrus flavor, stir fresh citrus zest (up to 2 teaspoons) into the mixture before baking. I love adding orange zest, in particular. As I grew older, I tried eating cereal/granola (trying to act healthy haha), but since I dislike the taste of milk, I tried to have it with soy milk, but not only it’s time consuming, it also feels weird to have cold food for breakfast. I wasn’t a fan of granola bars as well as they are dry and too sweet. Some of you, like me, love big clumps in your granola. Here are my tips to achieving the best clumps:

Healthy Granola

Some granolas have nearly 4 teaspoons (17 grams) of sugar in a single serving. Because it’s common to eat more than the standard serving size, you could be getting a substantial amount of sugar in just one bowl. Isla recommends aiming to make a meal that leaves you feeling satiated (comfortably full) and satisfied (hits the spot). 'Add in some different nutrients, but also textures or flavours to create a satisfying breakfast. I like creamy Greek yoghurt for calcium and protein, and frozen berries or bananas.'

Dried fruit and nuts also contain antioxidants, like vitamin E, which can lower inflammation in the body. Antioxidants prevent cell damage that can cause serious diseases such as cancer. Lastly, let the granola cool completely before breaking it up. I’ve even left it on the pan overnight, covered. Macronutrient wise, she says that most granola has a balance of wholegrains and slow release carbs from the oats, healthy fats and protein from the nuts and seeds, plus high levels of fibre. Reduce cholesterol levels. Oats are a good source of beta glucan, a type of fiber that works to reduce total and LDL (bad) cholesterol levels, two risk factors for heart disease ( 10, 11). You can use extra-virgin olive oil instead, if you’d like your granola to be a little more on the savory side. If you’re watching your saturated fat intake, olive oil is a better choice! Natural Sweetener

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Next, pour the granola onto your lined baking sheet and use a large spoon to spread it in an even layer. The morning staple has been pretty demonised over the years, with some studies citing high sugar and calorie levels as reasons to swerve it altogether. I love using real maple syrup in my granola. Honey works great, too. As a bonus, these natural sweeteners infuse your granola extra-delicious flavor that sugar would not. Salt and Spice Now that you have my base recipe, you can play around with the mix-ins and spices to make it your favorite granola. Bake until lightly golden, about 21 to 24 minutes, stirring halfway (for extra-clumpy granola, press the stirred granola down with your spatula to create a more even layer). The granola will further crisp up as it cools.

Orange and Almond Granola: This recipe includes orange zest (2 teaspoons), whole almonds and golden raisins. You may also want to look for varieties high in protein and fiber. Aim for at least 3–5 grams of fiber per serving ( 25). Although there’s little scientific research on granola itself, common ingredients, including oats, flax seeds, chia seeds, and almonds, are linked to numerous health benefits. Filling and high in fiberGingerbread Granola: This granola includes molasses and extra warming spices, plus coconut flakes, dried cranberries and chopped candied ginger. Certain foods, like flaxseeds, fruits, and whole grains, have been shown to reduce hypertension (high blood pressure). Making diet and lifestyle changes like eating a diet rich in whole grains and vegetables may reduce the amount of medication you need to take. If you’d like to add unsweetened coconut flakes, you can add it halfway through baking for perfectly toasted results (see recipe note). Even with all those techniques in place, I occasionally end up with a batch of granola that isn’t as clumpy as my others, for reasons that I can’t explain. It’s always delicious, though! High-protein ingredients in granola may include nuts, such as almonds, walnuts, and cashews, and seeds like hemp, pumpkin, and sesame.