Loaded Tea-Infused Granola





Granola all filled and pretty for my family

 

 I miss you guys! It's been 9 months since I posted and that pretty much coincides with when my life became insanely hectic...but thanks to instagram, I'm back and motivated to share a bunch of easy recipes with you. Just because I haven't been blogging, doesn't mean I haven't been cooking and I've got an archive of yummy stuff to share with you!

 

I really enjoy granola, but every time I look at the nutritional information I find it's loaded with fat...not my idea of a healthy food. When I consume a high calorie, high fat item, I like it to be sugary, gooey and hopefully full of chocolate ;) Making granola myself has given me the ability to incorporate all the flavors I love and remove the ones I don't.  I've made this a lot recently...for reasons I can't describe making granola makes me very happy! I love the process, I love the smell that fills up the kitchen, I love the quick cleanup, I love the way little alterations will make the texture go from soft and chewy to nice and crispy, and I really love that if stored properly this will sit around for a while.  I've been tripling this recipe the last few times I made it and the results are stellar every time!

 

Like everything I share with you guys, its easy to make and comes together fairly quickly. Don't be intimidated by the long list of ingredients, they're just spices and typical pantry staples. Feel free to switch out the fruit and nut combos (but if you don't like the results don't blame me for it!) to accommodate what you have on hand. 

 

We eat this alone, as cereal or as a topping to Greek yogurt and fresh fruit.

 

Adapted from Alice's Tea Cup

 

Makes about 7 cups

 

Ingredients

--------------

- 2 1/2 cups rolled or quick oats

-1 1/2 cups chopped nuts (I like to use at least 2 kinds. My favorite combo is the sesame honey cashews from Trader Joe's and chopped almonds)

-1 1/2 cups dried fruit (I use equal amounts golden raisins, orange cranberries, and apricots)

-3/4 cup sweetened shredded coconut

-1/4 cup sesame seeds

-1 tablespoon flax seeds (you can use up to 2 tablespoons)

-1 tablespoon chia seeds (you can use up to 2 tablespoons)

-1 tablespoon cinnamon

-1/8 teaspoon nutmeg

-1/4 teaspoon salt

-1 1/2 tablespoons ground flavored tea (This is the SECRET to this delicious granola, and you can play a lot with the flavors depending on what tea you use. I use my spice grinder, open about 3 bags flavored herbal tea and grind to a fine consistency. You can also just place the tea on the palm of one hand and rub your palms over each other quickly to crush the tea. I especially like ginger peach tea and honey vanilla chamomile).

-1 teaspoon vanilla

-1/2 cup honey, plus more for drizzling

-1/4 cup melted coconut oil

 

To make:

------------

-Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line a baking sheet with foil (for easy cleanup) and spray with non stick cooking spray (I use a coconut oil spray)

-In a large bowl, combine all the dry ingredients (everything EXCEPT the vanilla, honey and coconut oil). Mix well

-Add the vanilla, honey and melted coconut oil and mix very well. I use my hands to make sure the honey isn't clumping and all the oats get wet and coated.

-Spread evenly on the greased baking sheet and pat down firmly with a spatula.

-Bake on the middle rack in the oven for 8-10 minutes, or until golden brown.

-Remove granola from oven and flip over in sections using a spatula. Press down firmly and drizzle honey over the granola.

-Return to middle rack in the oven and bake for another 8-10 minutes.

-Remove from the oven and let it cool completely. Break it up into pieces and store in an airtight container.

-Enjoy :)

 

*To make crispier granola, drizzle less honey and spread into a thinner layer. Bake for the full 10 minutes.

*To make chewier granola, drizzle more honey, spread into a thick layer and bake for 8-9 minutes.

 

Check out SavvyChef on instagram #savvy_chef and tag me in your creations!

 

Greek yogurt, granola, strawberries and peaches

 

 



Prepping the granola...lots of ingredients but it comes together quickly

I've doubled and recipe and it still goes fast!



Making granola is a great recipe for kids! Just measure, dump and mix!