Granola is a versatile and delicious snack that can be enjoyed at any time of day. Whether you sprinkle it on top of yogurt, mix it with fruit, or simply eat it by the handful, granola is a tasty and nutritious treat that can be customized to suit your personal preferences. One of the key ingredients that can take your homemade granola to the next level is nut butter.
Nut butter serves multiple purposes in granola. It acts as a binding agent, along with additional coconut oil and natural sweeteners like honey or maple syrup, helping to pull the dry ingredients together into a wet, sticky mass for baking. Nut butter also contributes to browning in the oven, adding crunchiness and aesthetic appeal to the finished product.
In addition to its functional benefits, nut butter adds a delicious, nutty flavor to the granola. While you can get some of this flavor from chopped nuts, having the nut butter blended into the liquid ingredients helps to spread it through every bite. Natural crunchy salted peanut butter is a popular choice for adding flavor to granola, but almond butter, tahini, sunflower butter, or even regular peanut butter can also be used.
When making granola, the possibilities are endless. You can customize your recipe with a variety of nuts, seeds, dried fruits, and other ingredients that you have on hand. Experiment with different combinations to find what works best for you. However, if you’re looking to take your granola to the next level, adding nut butter to the mix is highly recommended. The added flavor, texture, and richness that nut butter brings to the recipe will elevate your granola to new heights.
If you’re interested in trying your hand at making homemade granola with nut butter, here’s a basic recipe to get you started:
Ingredients:
– 4 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
– 4 cups add-ins (such as dried shredded coconut, chopped nuts, seeds, etc.)
– 1 cup honey or maple syrup
– 1/4 cup nut butter
– 1/3 cup vegetable oil, coconut oil, or melted butter
– 1 tablespoon cinnamon
– 1 cup dried fruit (optional)
Directions:
1. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F and lightly grease a baking sheet.
2. Combine rolled oats and add-ins in a large bowl.
3. In a separate bowl, mix together honey, nut butter, oil, and cinnamon. Heat in the microwave until loosened and warmed, about 1 minute. Pour over the rolled oat mixture and toss to coat thoroughly.
4. Spread the granola onto the prepared baking sheet in a shallow layer.
5. Bake in the preheated oven, stirring every 5 to 10 minutes, until desired color is reached (about 15-25 minutes total). Be careful not to let it burn.
6. Remove the granola from the oven and let it cool completely. Stir in dried fruit if desired.
7. Store the granola in a sealed container for future snacking.
With nut butter as a secret ingredient, your homemade granola will be even more flavorful, crunchy, and satisfying. Give it a try and see for yourself how this simple addition can take your granola to the next level of deliciousness.
