This orange-infused granola could be my new favorite among all the granola recipes on this blog. Of course, I’m now obsessed with orange (don’t miss this orzo salad and this green salad).
Unquestionably wonderful is the mixture of honey, cinnamon, roasted almonds, vanilla, and golden raisins. It makes me think of the tastes I experienced on my springtime celebration post-cookbook trip to Morocco.
I recall feeling privileged and lonely while spreading homemade orange jelly on croissants at the stunning riad where I was staying on the solo portion of my trip. The sights and smells were too lovely for me to ignore.
Making this granola with your loved ones over the weekend would be a lot of fun and easy. It would also make a delectable gift for your loved ones, new neighbors, or acquaintances. For a healthy breakfast, combine it with milk or yogurt or eat it straight as a snack.
Also read: Vegetarian Breakfast Burritos
While we’re on the subject of granola, I’ve got a suggestion for you. Granola shouldn’t be overbaked! Granola that has been properly baked will feel slightly mushy to the touch when first removed from the oven, but it will continue to crisp up as it cools. Your granola will be dry and taste more toasted than anything else if you wait until it is dark and crispy before taking it out of the oven. The subtle flavors of the nuts, honey, and maple syrup as well as the spices will be lost.
The majority of my other granolas use honey or maple syrup as their only natural sweeteners. This one contains two teaspoons of ordinary sugar in addition to the customary natural sweetener. If you like, think of the sugar as sandpaper. To get the most orange flavor out of it, rub the orange zest into the sugar. The other ingredients will then be combined with the sugar and orange zest to create a fantastic orange-flavored granola.
You would require a lot more orange zest and produce a lot more bald oranges if you simply mixed orange zest into the other components without first combining it with sugar. You’ll get extra flavor from your other citrus-flavored baked items if you use this tip.
INGREDIENTS
- 2 teaspoons orange zest, preferably organic, from around 1 1/2 oranges
- two teaspoons of sugar
- Old-fashioned rolled oats, 4 cups
- 1/2 cup uncooked almonds
- 1 teaspoon of fine sea salt (reduce to 3/4 teaspoon if using regular table salt)
- 1 teaspoon of cinnamon powder
- 12 cup heated coconut oil or extra virgin olive oil
- 1/2 cup of maple syrup or honey
- 1/4 cup vanilla extract
- 34 cup golden, preferably, raisins
INSTRUCTIONS
- A sizable, rimmed baking sheet should be lined with parchment paper and the oven should be preheated at 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Orange zest and sugar should be mixed together in a small bowl. Rub the zest into the sugar with your fingers until it is brilliant orange and incredibly fragrant. This process will guarantee that your granola is flavored with orange.
- The oats, almonds, salt, cinnamon, and orange sugar should all be combined in a sizable mixing dish. To blend, stir. Mix well before adding the honey, vanilla, and olive oil.
- Place the granola on the baking sheet that has been prepped. Create an even coating of granola. Bake the granola for 19 to 23 minutes, stirring once halfway through, or until it begins to develop a light golden color. As it cools, the granola will get crisper.
- Before stirring in the raisins and chopping the granola as needed, let the granola cool. For a longer shelf life, store the granola in the freezer rather than keeping it at room temperature for 1 to 2 weeks.