No More Hidden Sugars: Control Every Ingredient With This Easy Homemade Granola Recipe

Most stores offer a variety of packaged granolas that serve as a convenient addition to breakfast. However, if you are a regular granola lover, it is time to try making your own. The process is incredibly simple, the ingredients are healthy and accessible, and the result is a granola that is incomparably tastier, more nutritious, and far more budget-friendly.

This particular recipe uses banana and peanut butter as natural binders, making it an excellent way to use up overripe bananas that are no longer appealing to eat on their own.

Ingredients:

• Oats: 200 g
• Sunflower seeds: 2 tbsp (raw and shelled)
• Nuts: 75 g total (walnuts, hazelnuts, or almonds, as desired)
• Ground flaxseed: 2 tbsp
• Peanut butter: 45 g
• Tahini (sesame paste): 20 g (can be substituted with more peanut butter)
• Maple syrup: 60 g (or agave syrup)
• Banana: 160 g (mashed)
• Flavorings: ½ tsp cinnamon (or more to taste), vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt

Instructions:

1. Prep the Nuts: Roughly chop the nuts with a knife. Aim for bite-sized pieces rather than a fine crumble to ensure a good texture.
2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the oats, sunflower seeds, ground flaxseed, and chopped nuts. Add the cinnamon and salt, then stir to distribute everything evenly.
3. Combine Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, mash the banana until smooth. Add the peanut butter, tahini, maple syrup, and vanilla extract. Whisk well until fully combined.
4. Incorporate: Pour the wet mixture over the dry ingredients. Mix thoroughly, ensuring all the oats and seeds are well-coated and moistened.
5. Spread: Line a large, shallow baking sheet with parchment paper. Spread the granola mixture evenly in a thin layer. This is crucial for achieving a uniform bake and maximum crunchiness.
6. Bake: Preheat your oven to a slightly lower temperature of 160–170°C. Bake for 30–40 minutes, depending on your oven. Check occasionally and stir the mixture halfway through to prevent the edges from browning too quickly.
7. Cool: The granola should be golden brown when you remove it. Note: It won’t feel crunchy immediately out of the oven; it needs to cool completely to reach its final crispy texture.

Foto: Shutterstock

Storage

Once fully cooled, store your granola in an airtight container or a glass jar. It will stay irresistibly crunchy for a long time—though because it's so delicious for snacking, it likely won’t last more than a few days!

Homemade granola is the ultimate proof that a healthy breakfast can be both delicious and budget-friendly, while giving you full control over the ingredients without hidden sugars or additives. Once you try this recipe, you'll realize that the path to a perfectly crunchy and nutritious meal is much shorter and simpler than you ever imagined.