Homemade Granola with Extra Virgin Olive Oil
When you think of granola, a late19th century American culinary invention that promoted a healthier style of eating, olive oil is not typically the first ingredient that comes to mind. This is because olive oil wasn't widely available in the USA at the time that granola was first formulated, except in a very few specialty shops and in localized areas in California. Traditionally, granola recipes relied on other binding agents and fats.
However, incorporating olive oil, particularly extra virgin olive oil, into granola recipes today enhances the dish in several ways. It not only helps consolidate the ingredients and aids in the baking process but also adds a subtle, rich flavor and creates a crunchy texture. Additionally, the choice of olive oil provides better health benefits compared to other oils, aligning perfectly with granola's historic healthy-eating ethos.
What is granola?
It is a popular breakfast and snack food that typically consists of rolled oats, nuts, seeds, and sweeteners like honey or maple syrup. Unlike muesli that is made up of similar ingredients but eaten raw with milk or yogurt, granola’s ingredients are mixed together then spread flat on a sheet to bake until the bits and chunks are crispy and golden brown. It can be eaten as a healthy, high energy breakfast with milk, juice, yogurt or as a stand-alone snack.
The primary ingredient is usually rolled oats. Nuts (such as almonds or walnuts) and seeds (like sunflower seeds or flaxseeds) are common additions. Honey, maple syrup, brown sugar, or agave nectar are often used to sweeten the granola. Granola can also include dried fruits, such as raisins or cranberries, and sometimes, such in our recipe today, chocolate (yummy!), or other flavorings.
To enjoy homemade Granola with PJ Kabos Extra Virgin Olive Oil is to treat your body to a snack or desert made with some of the best foods to be had.
Video: Homemade Extra Healthy Granola with Olive Oil
Recipe:
Breakfast or snack
PJ KABOS Extra Virgin Olive Oil to use: Family Reserve Organic Medium
Ingredients
Ingredients:
2 cups (200 grams) rolled oats
¼ cup (80 grams) nuts of your choice (diced almonds or walnuts work well)
¼ cup (30 grams) mixed seeds (chia, poppy, pumpkin, hemp, sunflower, etc.)
⅓ cup (40 grams) raw almond flakes
1 cup (25 grams) unsweetened coconut flakes
½ teaspoon cinnamon
½ teaspoon salt
¼ cup (110 grams) honey, or a bit more
½ cup (80 grams) PJ Kabos Extra Virgin Olive Oil
¼ cup (100 grams) ripe banana, mashed
Vanilla extract, to taste (optional)
¾ cups (100 grams) chocolate chips
Preparation
Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F).
Dry ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the rolled oats, your choice of nuts, mixed seeds, almond flakes, and coconut flakes. Stir in the cinnamon and salt.
Wet ingredients: Into the same bowl, add the honey, olive oil, and ripe banana pulp. (The banana and honey will act as binding agents, helping the granola to form clusters.) Mix until smooth. If desired, add vanilla extract.
Baking: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper, spread the mixture out evenly over it. (It’s important to spread it out as evenly as possible to ensure consistent baking.) Place the tray in the preheated oven and bake for about 25 minutes. Midway through (after 12 minutes), carefully turn the granola using a spatula, keeping the pieces intact to maintain the clusters.
Cool and Serve: After baking, remove the granola from the oven and let it cool completely on the baking sheet. While it is still warm add the chocolate chips. The granola will crisp up as it cools. (Conversely, the chocolate chips can be added when totally cooled so as to keep them whole.)
Storage: Once cooled, store the granola in an airtight container. It should stay fresh and crunchy for a few weeks.
Serving Suggestions: Serve the granola with yogurt, milk, juice or enjoy it plain as a crunchy snack. It’s versatile, nutritious, and perfect for a quick breakfast or an on-the-go snack.
Kali Orexi—Happy Eating!
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The following PJ Kabos Olive Oils may be used in preparing Granola.
(Black Bottle)
PJ KABOS Family Reserve Organic - Robust, is an extra virgin olive oil that is very high in polyphenols and adds depth, character and great health benefits to every meal.
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(White Bottle)
PJ KABOS Family Reserve Organic - Medium, is an extra virgin olive oil that is high in polyphenols and adds a lovely taste and great health benefits to every meal.
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(White Tin)
PJ KABOS Family Reserve - Medium, is an extra virgin olive oil in an easy-to-store tin that is high in polyphenols and adds a lovely taste and great health benefits to every meal.
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Please enjoy having a look around our websites, pjkabos.com and oliveoil.com, as well as our Amazon Store for more about our many high-phenolic olive oils, recipes, history, etc. And follow along with us on Instagram for photos concerning olive oil production, our groves in Greece, articles about olive oil, family history and more.
PJ Kabos High-Phenolic Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Your Trusted Oil, Straight from Our Table to Yours.
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