I've been wanting to make my own granola for ages, ever since I realised that my favourite cereal at the supermarket is stupidly pricey for what is, pretty much, just fancy schmancy oats.
I mostly followed the directions I found on this webpage. It contains some good advice and different variations for granola.
With my batch, I used dried cranberries, dried dates and pepitas, which I've been enjoying for breakfast with some good yoghurt dolloped on top. I over baked it though - I should've realised that the granola would crisp up when it cooled down - so mine is a bit too crunchy. Plus, I didn't read the instructions properly and threw the dried fruit in at the beginning of the baking time so that added to the hardness. It's still tasty though and I can't wait to make a better, improved batch!
Granola
Adapted from USAweekend.com
2 cups old fashioned oats
1/2 cup wheat germ
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 cup maple syrup
1/8 cup golden syrup
3 tablespoons canola oil
1 tablespoon water
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1 cup of dried fruit (I used 3/4 cup of chopped dried dates, 1/4 cup of dried cranberries and a small handful of pepitas)
Preheat oven to 135°C. Lightly oil a baking tray.
In a bowl, mix together the oats, wheat germ, brown sugar, salt and cinnamon, leaving out the dried fruit.
In a small saucepan, heat the maple syrup, golden syrup, oil and water over a low heat until almost simmering. Drizzle over the oat mixture and stir to combine.
Pour the mixture on to the baking tray, and squeeze the cereal a handful at a time to form small clumps.
Bake for 30 minutes and then stir in the dried fruit. Return to the oven and bake for about 15 minutes or until golden brown. It will crisp up as it cools down.
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