Air-Fryer Granola: A Quick, Crunchy Breakfast Treat

Yes, you can make granola in an air fryer! It's a quick and easy way to make a tasty, crunchy, and healthy breakfast or snack. The air fryer's hot air circulation ensures an evenly toasted granola mixture, resulting in a crisp and golden finish without the constant stirring that oven-baked granola requires.

The basic ingredients for air fryer granola are rolled oats, a sweetener like honey or maple syrup, oil, and cinnamon. You can also add nuts, seeds, dried fruit, and other mix-ins to customise your granola. The whole process takes less than 30 minutes, and you'll have a delicious, versatile granola that can be enjoyed with yoghurt, milk, or as a snack on its own.

How long does it take to make granola in an air fryer?

Making granola in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to prepare this breakfast staple. The total time taken to make air-fried granola ranges from 12 to 30 minutes, depending on the recipe and the air fryer model. Here is a step-by-step guide on how long it takes to make granola in an air fryer:

Preparation:

Before cooking the granola, you will need to prepare the ingredients and mix them in a bowl. This step should only take a few minutes and involves combining the dry ingredients (such as oats, nuts, seeds, and spices) with the wet ingredients (such as oil, maple syrup, honey, or peanut butter). Some recipes also suggest adding an egg white at this stage to create crunchy granola clusters.

Air Frying:

The air-frying process typically takes between 10 to 15 minutes. However, it's important to keep a close eye on the granola to ensure it doesn't burn. Most recipes recommend air frying at a temperature between 300°F to 350°F. It's a good idea to stir the granola every few minutes to ensure even cooking and prevent burning.

Cooling and Storage:

Once the granola is air-fried, it's important to let it cool completely before stirring in any dried fruit or chocolate chips. This cooling process can take around 10 minutes. After cooling, the granola can be stored in an airtight container or jar at room temperature for up to two weeks.

In summary, making granola in an air fryer is a relatively quick and easy process. The total time taken is usually around 15 to 30 minutes, depending on the recipe and air fryer model. By following the steps outlined above, you can enjoy delicious, crispy, and healthy granola in no time!

What ingredients do you need to make granola in an air fryer?

Making granola in an air fryer is not only quick and easy but also a versatile process that allows for a lot of customisations. Here are the ingredients you need to make granola in an air fryer:

Base Ingredients

The base of your granola consists of dry and wet ingredients. For the dry base, you will need old-fashioned oats, also known as rolled oats. These are essential for the chunky and crunchy texture of your granola. Avoid using quick oats or steel-cut oats as they have a finer texture and will not produce the desired results.

For the wet base, you can use coconut oil, avocado oil, olive oil, sunflower oil, grapeseed oil, or any neutral-tasting oil. Additionally, you will need a sweetener such as honey, maple syrup, or rice malt syrup. If you prefer your granola on the sweeter side, you can add brown sugar or coconut sugar. A pinch of salt will also enhance the flavour.

Optional Add-Ins

The beauty of making granola in an air fryer is that you can customise it with your favourite nuts, seeds, and dried fruits. Here are some options:

• Nuts: Almonds, walnuts, pecans, hazelnuts, peanuts, cashews, or any other nut of your choice.
• Seeds: Pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, sesame seeds, flax seeds, poppy seeds, or a mix.
• Dried Fruit: Raisins, cranberries, mango, pineapple, coconut, dried apricots, dried cherries, goji berries, or any other dried fruit you enjoy.
• Chocolate: White chocolate chips, milk chocolate chips, or dark chocolate chips.
• Others: Cinnamon, vanilla extract, egg white (for crunchier clusters), peanut butter, almond butter, or any other nut butter.

Measurements

The measurements for the ingredients will depend on the serving size and your personal preferences. Here is a general guide for a standard batch of air fryer granola:

• 1-2 cups of rolled oats
• 1/4 - 1/2 cup of nuts, roughly chopped
• 2-3 tablespoons of oil
• 1-2 tablespoons of sweetener (adjust to taste)
• 1/2 - 1 teaspoon of cinnamon
• A pinch of salt
• 1/2 - 1 cup of dried fruit
• 1/2 cup of chocolate chips (optional)

Feel free to experiment with the measurements and add more or less of each ingredient to suit your taste preferences.

What is the best type of oats to use for air fryer granola?

Yes, you can make granola in an air fryer. It is a quick and easy breakfast or snack option that can be made in less than 30 minutes.

Now, for the type of oats to use for the best air fryer granola, it is recommended to use old-fashioned rolled oats, also known as traditional rolled oats. Quick oats or steel-cut oats are not suitable for this recipe as they have a finer texture. The rolled oats provide a robust character, resulting in a chunkier and crunchier granola.

You can use either regular or gluten-free certified rolled oats, depending on your preference or dietary requirements.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup of old-fashioned rolled oats
• 1/3 cup of nuts of your choice (almonds, walnuts, pecans, or peanuts), roughly chopped
• 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon
• 2 tablespoons of melted coconut oil
• 1 teaspoon of pure vanilla extract
• Honey or maple syrup to taste (optional)

Directions:

• Mix all the ingredients together in a bowl and stir well to combine.
• Line your air fryer basket with parchment paper. This step is important to prevent the granola from falling through the grate and burning.
• Pour the granola mixture into the lined basket and use a spatula to press it down, creating an even layer.
• Air fry at 330°F (165°C) for 8-12 minutes, keeping an eye on it to ensure it doesn't burn. The granola is done when it is golden brown and crisp.
• Remove the basket from the air fryer and let it cool for 5-10 minutes before removing the granola. Then, take out the granola by lifting the edges of the parchment paper and place it on a countertop to cool completely.
• Enjoy your homemade air fryer granola as a tasty breakfast or snack!

Can you make air fryer granola without an air fryer?

Yes, you can make air fryer granola without an air fryer!

Air fryer granola is a quick and easy breakfast or snack option. It is also a great alternative to oven-baked granola, especially during the warmer months, as you don't have to turn on the oven and heat up the kitchen.

To make air fryer granola without an air fryer, simply follow the same recipe and bake the granola mixture in the oven instead. Here are the steps:

Ingredients:

• Rolled oats (also known as old-fashioned oats)
• Honey or maple syrup (for sweetening)
• Coconut oil or another neutral-tasting oil
• Cinnamon
• Salt (optional)
• Your choice of nuts, seeds, and dried fruit

Method:

• Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C).
• Mix all the ingredients together in a bowl and stir well to combine.
• Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Spread the granola mixture on the prepared baking sheet in an even layer.
• Bake for 20 minutes, stirring the mixture a couple of times during baking to ensure even cooking.
• If adding seeds, stir them into the granola after it has baked for about 15 minutes.
• Bake for another 5-10 minutes, or until the granola is golden brown and crispy.
• Remove the granola from the oven and stir in the dried fruit (if using).
• Allow the granola to cool completely before storing it in an airtight container.

By baking the granola in the oven, you can still enjoy the convenience and customizability of air fryer granola without needing an air fryer.

How do you store air fryer granola?

Once you've made your air fryer granola, it's important to store it correctly to keep it fresh and crunchy. Here's a detailed guide on how to store your air fryer granola:

Storing Air Fryer Granola:

• Allow the granola to cool completely before storing.
• Use an airtight container: Transfer the cooled granola to an airtight container, such as a jar or a container with a tight-fitting lid. This helps keep the granola fresh and crunchy.
• Store at room temperature: Store the airtight container with the granola at room temperature in a cool, dry place.
• Include a moisture absorber: To help maintain dryness and crunchiness, include a small moisture absorber packet or a few silica gel packets in the container.
• Consume within two to three weeks: Homemade granola has a shorter shelf life than store-bought varieties. Aim to consume it within two to three weeks for optimal freshness and taste.

Freezing Air Fryer Granola:

• Use a freezer-safe container: If you want to extend the shelf life of your granola, consider freezing it. Use a freezer-safe container or a sealable freezer bag.
• Freeze in small portions: Freeze the granola in smaller portions or individual servings to make it easier to thaw and use as needed.
• Label and date the container: Before placing the granola in the freezer, label the container with the date and contents. This helps you keep track of how long it has been frozen.
• Thaw before consuming: When you're ready to enjoy your frozen granola, simply thaw it at room temperature or in the refrigerator. You can also eat it straight from the freezer if you prefer a crunchy, frozen treat!

Frequently asked questions