I was so tired I collapsed on my bed, switched on my laptop, and lazily reached out for the crunchy cluster granola; sadly this was yet another night that I was determined not to make my way to the kitchen. Blame it on spending the whole day on my feet serving canapés at cocktail parties, lunch, and dinner, then using up all the strength I have left on reserve to clean it all up and set up to do it all again?
If I wasn’t so busy moving this and that table or chair, running up and down those stairs I’m sure I might have packed on a few pounds seeing as I lived on cereal, yogurt, snicker bars, and leftover sweets from conference meetings- yap you guessed it, I was a conference and banqueting intern!!! Good old days, sigh… not so much!
You see, I built a habit of snacking on cereal- while watching movies or just passing through the kitchen on my way to the sink from the fridge… well you get the gist. It would have been nice to know how to make my own healthier granola clusters and save my poor shallow intern pockets a penny or two as all it would take are a few ingredients and the best part would be that I GET TO CHOOSE WHAT I WANT IN IT without having to buy the pack even though I wish I could edit out the pumpkin seeds (major eye roll).
Why Should You Make Your Own Crunchy Cluster Granola?
Well, it’s EASY, and you get to CUSTOMIZE IT USING ONLY THE INGREDIENTS YOU LIKE! Could it get better? Yes, if you are into counting your calories and being aware of what is in your cereal, this takes care of that!
Let’s face it, more and more irrelevant ingredients are added to store-bought foods that need not be. So, here’s how you take baby steps toward taking better care of yourself.
Homemade Crunchy Cluster Granola Recipe Ingredients & Alternatives
Coconut flakes: If you are unable to find these in the store, you could use slivered almonds (without skin), that is, if you like them.
Egg whites: So what’s up with the egg whites? Well, they make the clusters oh so much crunchier!
How to Make Crunchy Cluster Granola at Home
It’s as simple as mixing the oats and desiccated coconut with a pinch of salt. Then whisk the maple syrup, syrup, and coconut oil together before pouring it over the dry mixture.
I use a chopstick so that I do not ‘break’ the clusters. Then in goes the egg white which should be whisked until frothy before evenly pouring it over the cereal mixture.
Pour the cereal over a baking tray lined with parchment paper and you could make more clusters by rolling a few into tiny balls or pinching a ‘cluster’ between your fingers while pressing it onto the baking tray.
Bake (on the second rack from the bottom) at 145°C / 293°F for 40 – 45 minutes making sure to rotate the pan halfway through for even browning.
Let it cool completely before adding chopped chocolate and other preferred ingredients.
Storage
Keep your granola in an airtight container to retain the crunch!
I hope you loved every crunchy bite of the cluster granola with chocolate and coconut!
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Coconut, Almond and Chocolate no-bake Granola Bars
Quit digging into your pockets for store-bought versions. Make your own no-bake granola bars filled with coconut, crunchy almonds, and chocolate!
Crunchy Cluster Granola With Chocolate & Coconut
(+10 rating, 2 votes)
Loading...Homemade cereal has never been so easy to make! This granola is crunchy and filling while satisfying your sweet tooth.
Ingredients
- 2 cups (160g) wholegrain rolled-oats
- 1/2 cup (52g) finely shredded unsweetened coconuts
- Pinch of salt
- 2 tablespoons (12g) Coconut oil
- 1/4 cup (68ml) maple syrup
- 1/8 cup (30ml) golden syrup
- 1 egg white
- 1 cup of chopped dark/milk chocolate
- coconut flakes
Instructions
Heat the oven to 145°C / 293°F and line a large baking tray with parchment paper.
In a large bowl mix the oats and desiccated coconut, and ensure you do not have the finer ingredients resting on the bottom.
Whisk the coconut oil, syrup, and maple syrup then pour it over the oats mixture. Combine preferably using a chopstick if you have.
In a separate bowl whisk the egg whites until frothy then pour it over the oats and mix before tipping the mixture onto the lined baking tray.
Evenly lay the oats onto the parchment and bake for 40 - 50 minutes. Halfway through, turn the baking tray to ensure even browning and baking.
When done, take them out and leave them on the wire rack for at least half an hour to completely cool and harden then mix in the chocolate chunks, coconut, and other preferred ingredients.
Store in an airtight container
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