Orange Cardamom Granola
Homemade Orange Cardamom Granola is a delightful staple to have on hand for a quick breakfast or sweet snack. You’ll love the subtle orange and cardamom flavors. Packed full of seeds and grains, this granola is hearty, filling, and oh so satisfying. It also happens to be gluten and nut-free.
Skip the overpriced granola at the store and opt for making your own! You’ll know exactly what ingredients are in it, and can customize it to your liking.You won’t believe how easy it is to make at home. This Orange Cardamom Granola has a satisfying crunch and clusters nicely. With a delicious citrus kick to it and a touch of sweetness from the honey, it can be enjoyed on its own. It is equally delicious with milk,yogurt, or topped with fruit.
How do you make granola
Making homemade granola is simple with the correct wet to dry ratio.
First, combine the oats, buckwheat groats, seeds, orange zest, and cardamom in a large bowl.
Next, whisk together the freshly-squeezed orange juice, honey, oil, vanilla extract, and salt. This is the glue that will make your granola stick together.
Pour the liquid mixture over the dried ingredients and stir until combined. Let this sit for about an hour. This is crucial in developing the flavors and allows the grains to soften and bake more evenly.
Preheat the oven to 290ºF and spread the granola evenly over a baking sheet lined with parchment.
Bake for 45 to 55 minutes and keep an eye on it to ensure it doesn’t burn.
Once the granola is golden brown and looks crispy, turn the oven off and crack the door open. Let the granola sit in the oven with the door cracked so it can dry out and get extra crunchy.
Once the granola has cooled, break into chunks, add the golden raisins, and mix.
It should keep for a couple of weeks stored in an airtight container
How do you get granola to stick together
To get the beautiful clusters we are accustomed to, here are some tips and tricks that I follow.
Make sure you have enough liquid to allow everything to bind together. The honey, orange juice, and oil act as granola glue.
Let your raw granola mixture sit for about an hour so that the liquid is absorbed and the oats get soft.
Refrain from mixing the granola in between baking. This breaks up the clusters and will leave you with a looser mixture that doesn’t cluster.
Wait for the granola to cool completely before breaking into chunks with your hands.
How do you store homemade granola
Homemade granola can keep for up to 2 weeks in an airtight container. I store mine in glass jars with a lid that is sealed airtight.
What fruit goes well with granola
Granola works best with slightly tart fruit. Berries and citrus are my personal favorites.
Once you make your own granola, you won’t go back to store-bought brands. This Orange Cardamom Granola is a perfect balance of flavors, but feel free to use it as a template and make it your own new flavor combinations. I would love to hear about your granola experiments!