Description
This Orange & Almond Granola is a bright and flavorful breakfast or snack option, combining the natural sweetness of honey and raisins with zesty orange and crunchy almonds. Toasted to golden perfection, it’s effortless to prepare and makes for a wholesome, energizing treat that can be enjoyed by the whole family.
Ingredients
Granola Base
- 2 teaspoons orange zest (from about 1 ½ oranges, preferably organic)
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 4 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
- 1 ½ cups raw almonds
- 1 teaspoon fine sea salt (if using standard table salt, ¾ teaspoon)
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Wet Ingredients
- ½ cup extra-virgin olive oil or melted coconut oil
- ½ cup honey or maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
Add-ins
- ¾ cup raisins, preferably golden
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a large, rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and facilitate even baking.
- Prepare Orange Sugar: In a small bowl, combine the orange zest with sugar. Rub the zest into the sugar using your fingers until the mixture turns bright orange and emits a strong citrus fragrance. This will infuse your granola with fresh orange flavor.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, add the rolled oats, raw almonds, salt, cinnamon, and the prepared orange sugar. Stir these ingredients together to evenly distribute the flavors.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Pour in the olive oil (or melted coconut oil), honey (or maple syrup), and vanilla extract to the dry ingredients. Mix thoroughly until all components are well coated and uniformly combined.
- Bake the Granola: Spread the granola mixture evenly across your prepared baking sheet. Bake in the preheated oven for 19 to 23 minutes, stirring halfway through to ensure uniform toasting. The granola should turn lightly golden as it bakes.
- Cool and Add Raisins: Allow the baked granola to cool completely on the baking sheet; it will crisp up as it cools. Once cooled, stir in the golden raisins, breaking up any large clumps into chunks as desired.
- Store: Transfer your granola to an airtight container. Store at room temperature for 1 to 2 weeks or freeze for extended freshness and shelf life.
Notes
- You can substitute almonds with any other nuts such as walnuts or pecans based on preference.
- For a vegan version, use maple syrup instead of honey and ensure coconut oil is used.
- The orange zest should preferably come from organic oranges to avoid pesticide residue.
- Make sure to stir halfway during baking for even toasting and to prevent burning.
- Granola crisps up most during cooling rather than baking, so don’t overbake.
- Use parchment paper for easy cleanup and to prevent sticking.
- Store in an airtight container to maintain freshness and crunchiness.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
