Air-Fryer Granola: Quick, Crunchy, Healthy Breakfast Treat

Making granola in an air fryer is a quick, easy, and healthy breakfast or snack option. It is also highly customizable and can be made vegan and gluten-free. The ingredients typically include rolled oats, honey or maple syrup, nuts, seeds, and dried fruit. The air fryer ensures even browning and crunchiness, and the cooking time is significantly shorter than baking it in an oven.

Choosing the right oats

Rolled Oats:

• Rolled oats, also known as old-fashioned oats, are the preferred choice for making granola in an air fryer. They have a robust character that lends itself well to the chunky and crunchy texture desired in granola.
• Quick-cooking or instant oats are not suitable for air fryer granola due to their finer texture. Rolled oats provide a heartier base that can withstand the high heat and air circulation of the air fryer.
• When purchasing rolled oats, look for those specifically labelled as "rolled oats" or "old-fashioned." This variety is flat and flaked, making it ideal for clustering and providing a satisfying bite.

Types of Rolled Oats:

• When choosing rolled oats, you may come across several varieties, including:
• Traditional Rolled Oats: These are the most common type and what you'll typically find in stores. They have a mild flavour and cook relatively quickly.
• Thick-Cut Rolled Oats: Thicker and chewier than traditional rolled oats, they add a heartier texture to your granola.
• Quick-Cooking Rolled Oats: While not suitable for air fryer granola, quick-cooking rolled oats are a faster-cooking option for other recipes.

Certified Gluten-Free Oats:

• If you're making gluten-free granola, be sure to use certified gluten-free rolled oats. Oats are naturally gluten-free, but they may be contaminated with gluten during processing or transportation.
• Certified gluten-free oats are produced and packaged in facilities that maintain strict standards to prevent gluten contamination, making them safe for those with gluten intolerance or celiac disease.

Oat Customisations:

• While rolled oats form the foundation of your granola, you can customise your recipe by adding other grains or seeds for added flavour, texture, and nutritional benefits.
• For example, you can mix in some buckwheat sprouts with your rolled oats, as suggested by a commenter on "Healthful Blondie." Just remember to soak and sprout the raw groats before adding them to your granola mixture.
• You can also experiment with adding other seeds like sunflower, sesame, or flax seeds to enhance the flavour and nutritional profile of your granola.

Oat Alternatives:

• While oats are the traditional choice for granola, you can explore alternative grains for variety or to accommodate specific dietary needs.
• Quinoa, for example, can be used as a gluten-free alternative to oats. It provides a similar texture and can be prepared in a similar fashion.
• Remember to exercise caution when substituting, as not all grains have the same cooking properties as oats, and adjustments to quantities and cooking times may be necessary.

In summary, choosing the right oats for your air fryer granola is essential to achieving the desired texture and flavour. Rolled oats are the go-to choice, offering a versatile base that can be customised with additional ingredients to make your granola unique and delightful.

Sweetening options

There are several options for sweetening your air fryer granola. Honey and maple syrup are the most popular choices, but you can also use rice malt syrup, brown sugar, coconut sugar, or golden syrup. If you want to make your granola vegan, you can substitute honey with maple syrup or use agave instead. You can also add a few tablespoons of coconut sugar or brown sugar to the mix if you prefer your granola on the sweeter side.

When choosing a sweetener, keep in mind that some options will result in a sweeter granola than others. For example, using golden syrup will give a much sweeter result compared to maple syrup or honey. You can also adjust the amount of sweetener used according to your taste preferences.

Additionally, you can enhance the sweetness of your granola by adding dried fruit. Some options include raisins, cranberries, cherries, blueberries, mango, banana chips, apple chips, apricots, sultanas, pineapple, coconut, dates, chopped mango, crystallized ginger, or dried apple. Just be aware that dried fruit can vary in sugar content, so choose accordingly.

Nuts and seeds

Types of Nuts

• Almonds: A popular choice for granola due to their crunchy texture and mild flavour.
• Walnuts: Walnuts add a rich, buttery taste and a soft, pleasant crunch.
• Pecans: Pecans have a sweet, almost caramel-like flavour and a crunchy texture.
• Peanuts: For a more savoury option, peanuts add a salty, nutty flavour.
• Cashews: Cashews are creamy and mild in flavour, making them a versatile addition.
• Macadamia Nuts: Macadamia nuts have a buttery texture and a sweet, almost coconut-like flavour.

Types of Seeds

• Pumpkin Seeds: Pumpkin seeds, also known as pepitas, are flat, green seeds with a mild flavour and a soft crunch.
• Sunflower Seeds: Sunflower seeds have a subtle nutty taste and a firm texture.
• Flax Seeds: Flax seeds are small, brown seeds that are rich in omega-3 fatty acids and have a slightly nutty flavour.
• Sesame Seeds: Sesame seeds come in white and black varieties and have a distinctive nutty flavour.
• Chia Seeds: Chia seeds form a gel-like coating when mixed with liquid, adding a unique texture to your granola.

When selecting nuts and seeds for your granola, opt for raw or dry-roasted varieties without added salt or sugar. You can also choose to chop or slice the nuts to change the texture and distribute them throughout the granola more evenly.

Dried fruit

The best time to add dried fruit to your granola is after it has been air-fried and cooled. This is because the granola will be crunchy but still have a slight chewiness to it. However, some recipes suggest adding dried fruit halfway through the air-frying process.

You can use any dried fruit you like, but some popular options include raisins, blueberries, apples, pineapples, cranberries, dried apricots, dried cherries, goji berries, and even chocolate chips.

If you want to make your own dried fruit at home, you can use your air fryer. This is a great way to save money, as store-bought dried fruit can be expensive. You can use your air fryer as a makeshift dehydrator by setting the temperature to around 125°F to 145°F and leaving the fruit to dry for several hours. The exact time and temperature will depend on the type of fruit and the desired texture. Thinner slices will dehydrate faster and result in a crispier texture, while thicker slices will take longer and produce a chewier texture.

It is important to line your air fryer with parchment paper when making dried fruit to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier. You should also avoid dehydrating fatty or oily fruits, such as avocados, as they can quickly go rancid.

Oil

The oil is melted and mixed with the other wet ingredients, such as honey or maple syrup, and vanilla extract. This mixture is then poured over the dry ingredients and stirred until everything is well-coated.

The oil helps to bind the ingredients together and ensures the granola has a crispy, chunky texture. It is important not to skip this ingredient as it plays a vital role in achieving the desired consistency of the granola.

Frequently asked questions