I am going to be honest with you. Snacks like cookies, trail mixes etc. are always scarce in my pantry. I prefer fruits and nuts as a healthy snacking option over ready-made snacks. Plus, I am not much of a snacker. But, of course, my husband is a snacker. The minute he is back home from work, he goes straight to the pantry hunting for snacks. I have been able to turn his attention to healthier snacking options like fruits, but this fig and nut granola hit it out of the park for him.
Naturally sweetened with Figs, Dates and Honey, this granola also has the power packed goodness of Walnuts and Oats and has delicate flavors. So, no artificial ingredients, completely natural and if the honey is eliminated (which is possible if the sweetness of the Figs work), this is a vegan granola.
I had originally made this granola to carry on our hiking trip. We even ended up using it as a topping for our breakfast at our cabins during our trip. It was such a hit, that he has put in a sweet request to make a huge batch of this granola for his snacking needs.
This granola can be eaten on its own, with milk, with other nuts as a trail mix, topped on yoghurt, added to a smoothie bowl – the possibilities are endless. The most exciting for me is that my husband has at least turned to a healthier snacking option, so taste and health for him is a win-win for me.
| Prep time | 15 minutes | |
| Cook time | 35 minutes | |
| Serves | Multiple |
Ingredients
Grains
- Rolled Oats
Nuts & Seeds
- Walnuts – 1/2 cup, chopped
- Almonds – 1/2 cup slivered
- Figs – 1/2 cup chopped
- Dates – 1/2 cup chopped
Spices & Flavors
- Ground Cinnamon – 1 tsp
- Ground Nutmeg – 1 tsp
- Salt – A pinch
- Freshly squeezed Orange Juice – 2 medium Oranges
- Honey – 2 tbsp
Ingredient notes
- Turkish Figs work best here because they are moist enough to not dry out during the baking process
- Mejdool Dates work best because they are sweeter and moist to not dry out during the baking process
- If vegan, eliminate honey. Alternate sweeteners such as Date Syrup, Maple Syrup, Jaggery or Coconut Sugar can be used
Method
- Preheat oven to 350F
- Prepare a baking tray lined with parchment paper
- In a mixing bowl, add the all the dry ingredients first beginning with Oats, chopped Figs, Dates, and Nuts. Mix well
- Add the Cinnamon, Nutmeg and a punch of salt. Mix well again
- Now add he wet ingredients beginning with Honey, then Orange juice and mix well. At this point, the mixture should come together in a fairly tight mixture, but still with loose Oat and Nut bits
- Pour the granola on the tray and spread into an even layer. To get chunky granola bits (this is how I like it), press down on the mixture so that mixture is crowded and tightly packed, but not so much that it does not bake evenly
- Bake for 20 minutes. At this point, take the tray out and using a spatula, gently stir. Put it back in the oven and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes
- Once the baking is complete, allow the granola to cool, undisturbed. It will crisp up as it cools
- Break the granola into pieces and enjoy as you please (These can be stored in an air-tight container for 1-2 weeks)
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Food For My Love 