Orange & Almond Granola Recipe
This Orange & Almond Granola is a vibrant, crunchy breakfast treat infused with fresh orange zest and sweetened with honey or maple syrup. Packed with rolled oats, raw almonds, and golden raisins, it offers a perfect balance of citrusy brightness and natural sweetness. Easy to prepare and baked to golden perfection, this granola is ideal for a nutritious start to your day or a wholesome snack.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 2 teaspoons orange zest (from about 1 ½ oranges, preferably organic)
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 4 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
- 1 ½ cup raw almonds
- 1 teaspoon fine sea salt (or ¾ teaspoon standard table salt)
- 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 flavoring
Add-ins
- ¾ cup raisins, preferably golden
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare baking sheet: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a large rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and allow even baking.
- Infuse sugar with orange zest: In a small bowl, combine the orange zest and sugar. Rub the zest into the sugar with your fingers until it turns bright orange and releases a strong fragrant aroma, ensuring the granola captures vibrant citrus notes.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the oats, almonds, salt, cinnamon, and the orange-infused sugar. Stir thoroughly to distribute flavors evenly throughout the mixture.
- Add wet ingredients and combine: Pour in the olive oil (or melted coconut oil), honey (or maple syrup), and vanilla flavoring. Mix well until all the dry ingredients are evenly coated and the granola mixture is sticky and uniform.
- Bake the granola: Spread the granola evenly on the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 19 to 23 minutes, stirring halfway through to ensure even browning. The mixture should become lightly golden.
- Cool and add raisins: Let the granola cool completely on the baking sheet; it will crisp up as it cools. Once cooled, stir in the raisins and break the granola into clusters as preferred.
- Store properly: Transfer the granola to an airtight container. Store at room temperature for 1 to 2 weeks or freeze for longer shelf life.
Notes
- You can substitute honey with maple syrup for a vegan-friendly option.
- Use parchment paper on your baking sheet to avoid granola sticking and for easy cleanup.
- Ensure the granola has cooled completely before adding raisins to prevent them from drying out or becoming hard.
- Store in an airtight container to maintain freshness and crunchiness.
- Feel free to swap almonds with other nuts like walnuts or pecans as per preference.
Find it online: https://yumntasty.com/orange-and-almond-granola-recipe/
