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Fruit is the best part of any homemade granola. That’s no secret. No one sneaks late-night handfuls of a granola that’s all oats. If you’re wondering how to make homemade granola, adding the right fruits can make all the difference.
Raisins are the most classic dehydrated fruit in the granola game. They come standard in most traditional recipes, but they are not the only dehydrated fruits in town.
There are so many more options of fruits that can add flavor, color, and texture to your granola. Read on as we give you a brief introduction to a few of them.
Imagine a bowl of warm, comforting rolled oats mixed with a variety of crunchy nuts (like almonds and walnuts), seeds (like sunflower and pumpkin), and dried fruit (like cranberries and raisins). That’s basically what granola is. A mix of rolled oats, nuts, seeds, and dried fruit. But the magic is in the way it’s prepared. Typically, granola is sweetened with a bit of maple syrup, brown sugar, or coconut sugar and coated in melted coconut oil or avocado oil. That’s what makes it so deliciously sweet and nutty.
Granola is a great breakfast or snack option. And it’s so versatile. You can add chocolate chips if you want it sweet, or cinnamon if you want it warm and spicy. The best part is, you can make it however you like. To your liking.
Benefits of Making Homemade Granola
Making your own granola at home is easy and inexpensive. It only takes a few ingredients and about 10 minutes of prep time. Plus, you’ll save money by making it at home instead of buying it.
Another great thing about homemade granola is that you can add as much or as little of anything you want. Want more nuts? Add more nuts! Want less dried fruit? Use less dried fruit! It’s up to you.
Making your own granola at home is also a healthier option than buying it at the store. Most store-bought granolas are full of added sugar and preservatives. And you can control how sweet you want it to be. Use natural sweeteners like maple syrup or honey for a healthier option.
Sneaky-Good Fruits for Your Homemade Granola
We’ve scoured the globe for fruits to spruce up your granola recipes. You’ll see some familiar berries here, but you’ll also see some fruits you hadn’t considered. You might even find one you didn’t know existed!
Take a look.
Apricots
Apricots have been in North America for centuries, but their origins trace back to Armenia. The fruit’s scientific name is prunus armeniaca, which roughly translates to Armenian prune.
Their appearance in granola is a little less common, though people are catching on to the bright flavor dehydrated apricot can add.
Apricots are healthy too, with plenty of beta-carotene and fiber
Currants
They may look like the ever-familiar raisins, but currants are a dried fruit entirely unto themselves. There are subtle differences between currants, raisins, and sultanas that can be easy to miss. Most of them have to do with the plants from which they originate and the way they are dehydrated.
Currant is a popular ingredient in the UK, appearing as a flavor in teas and baked goods. The fruit’s tart taste makes it a great addition to granola too.
Cranberries
Cranberries bring a rich and varied flavor to granola that is hard to top. They can be tart, or they can be exceedingly sweet.
If you want a fun alternative to raisins, you can substitute cranberries for them completely.
True blueberries are usually tiny and pack a big, sweet punch that blows away the bigger, more sour varieties. When you put them in your granola, you can get the taste of a whole bowl of morning oatmeal in a single handful.
Mangoes
There’s a steep learning curve when it comes to learning how to slice mangoes, but once you’ve learned, you can dehydrate those slices. When you add mango to a granola recipe, you get a tropical treat that surpasses the bland expectations some people have for their granola.
Customizing Your Granola Recipe
Creating Your Own Unique Flavor Combinations
Add a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg to give your granola a warm, spicy flavor. Cinnamon and nutmeg are great spices to add to granola because they’re so warm and inviting. Plus, they smell amazing when toasted in the oven.
If you have a sweet tooth, chocolate chips are a great addition to granola. They melt into the granola and create little pockets of chocolatey goodness. It’s the perfect way to curb your sweet tooth.
Storing and Freezing Homemade Granola
Storage Options and Shelf Life
To keep your homemade granola fresh, store it in an airtight container. This will help preserve the crunch and flavor for up to 2 weeks. Just make sure the container is airtight, and you’re good to go!
If you want to keep your granola for longer than 2 weeks, freezing is a great option. Simply portion out your granola into smaller servings and place them in freezer bags or containers. This way, you can grab a serving when you want it. Your granola will be good in the freezer for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to munch on it, simply remove it out from the freezer and let it sit at room temperature. Enjoy!
Freezing Granola for Later Use
Portion out your granola into individual servings and place in freezer bags or containers. This way, you can grab a serving when you want it. I like to portion mine out into individual bags or containers so I don’t have to dig into the whole bag and expose it to air. That’s just a recipe for stale granola.
Your granola will be good in the freezer for up to 3 months. Be sure to label your freezer bags or containers with the date you froze it, so you know how long it’s been in there.
Add a big scoop of granola to your yogurt or oatmeal for breakfast. It’s the perfect way to add some crunch and flavor to your morning meal.
Sprinkle granola on top of your favorite salads or smoothie bowls. The nuts and seeds in the granola add a nice crunch to your greens or smoothie bowl. Plus, it’s a great way to add some extra protein and healthy fats to your meal.
Pairing Granola with Fresh Fruits and Yogurt
Enjoy it with fresh berries and yogurt for breakfast. It’s a healthy and delicious breakfast option that’s filling and nutritious. Imagine sitting down to a bowl of creamy yogurt topped with fresh berries and a sprinkle of granola. It’s the perfect way to start your day.
Add it to a fruit salad for a crunchy topping. Imagine a big bowl of sliced apples, bananas, and oranges mixed together and topped with a big scoop of granola. It’s the perfect way to add some crunch to your fruit salad. Plus, it’s a great way to use up any leftover granola.
Go Forth and Granola
We hope this guide to fruits to add to your homemade granola has sparked your imagination. If you have the impulse to experiment in your kitchen, we’ve done our jobs right.
Check out our food dehydration tips if you need more suggestions.
DannyContent Writer
Hey there, since 2016, my mission has been to provide you with the information and guides you need to make food dehydrating simple and fun. Whether you're a newbie or a seasoned pro, my site offers helpful guides, reviews, and recipes to enhance your dehydrating experience. I take pride in only recommending products I believe in, ensuring my readers' trust. As an affiliate of various programs, including Amazon Associates, your support helps me continue providing quality content. Thanks for stopping by, and happy dehydrating!
