Air fryer granola - yes please! Nothing gets me out of bed quicker than knowing that I've got a bowl of homemade granola to look forward to. And this easy granola recipe makes mornings sooo good. I love to make a big batch of this air fryer granola as it lasts perfectly for weeks. It's so versatile too! Switch up the nuts and dried fruit to suit your own preferences. Then enjoy it with milk or sprinkle it over yogurt and fruit.
Air fryer granola recipe
I love eating granola for breakfast but finding a tasty supermarket version that isn’t packed with sugar or artificial ingredients can be tricky. So a few years ago, I began making my own homemade granola. It’s surprisingly quick and easy, plus the results are delicious and so much healthier than most store-bought granolas. But the air fryer has taken my granola making to a whole new level! It's so much easier and quicker than making it in the oven and the results are just as tasty.
This is a great prep-ahead breakfast idea. You can make a big batch of this air fryer granola and it will keep for several weeks in an airtight container, giving you plenty of healthy breakfast options. I like to serve my air fryer granola with yogurt and fruit, it’s equally delicious served simply with just milk.
This easy healthy granola recipe is inspired by a Deliciously Ella recipe – but the great thing about granola is that you can easily switch up the ingredients to suit whatever nuts, seeds and dried fruit you happen to have at home. The granola is baked in the air fryer – the only part that requires the hob is to melt the coconut oil.
Ingredients for this easy granola recipe
Mixed nuts
I like to use a mixture of different nuts to add a variety of flavours and textures to my air fryer granola. I love Brazil nuts, almonds, walnuts and pecans but you can choose your favourite nuts in any combination you like.
Oats
For this recipe, you need old-fashioned rolled oats (not instant oats). Rolled oats retain their texture when baked, making them perfect for making homemade granola.
Mixed seeds
I tend to throw in whatever seeds I happen to have at home – pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds and linseeds (also known as flaxseeds) all work well and are packed with nutrients.
Coconut oil
The coconut oil helps to bind the ingredients together.
Maple syrup
The maple syrup adds a touch of sweetness to the air fryer granola and keeps the recipe vegan (but if you’re not vegan, you could substitute the maple syrup for honey).
Ground cinnamon
The ground cinnamon adds a wonderful warm flavour to the granola. If you don’t like the flavour of cinnamon, feel free to omit this ingredient.
Dried apricots
I love to stir chopped dried apricots into the granola once everything is cooked and cooled. It gives a lovely burst of flavour as you are eating your breakfast. You can swap this for any dried fruit – cranberries, raisins or sultanas are all delicious in this recipe too!
Hint: Nuts and seeds can be expensive to buy in the supermarkets where they often come in tiny over-priced bags, but I’ve found bigger and cheaper bags here in the UK at discount supermarkets like Aldi and Lidl, as well as in independent health food shops. Alternatively, you could buy the ingredients in bulk online so you can make air fryer granola at moment’s notice.
Health benefits of nuts and seeds
Nuts and seeds are nutritional powerhouses, offering a wide array of health benefits. Here are some key reasons to include them in your healthy air fryer recipes:
1. Heart Health: Nuts like almonds, walnuts, and seeds like flaxseeds are rich in unsaturated fats, which can lower bad LDL cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of heart disease.
2. Nutrient Density: Nuts and seeds are dense in essential nutrients such as vitamins (e.g., vitamin E and B vitamins), minerals (e.g., magnesium, potassium), and antioxidants that support overall health and wellbeing.
5. Brain Function: Omega-3 fatty acids found in seeds like flaxseeds and chia seeds can support brain health and cognitive function.
7. Digestive Health: The fibre in nuts and seeds aids digestion and promotes a healthy gut microbiome.
8. Anti-Inflammatory Properties: Many nuts and seeds contain compounds with anti-inflammatory effects, which may reduce the risk of chronic diseases.
However, it's good idea to consume nuts and seeds in moderation, as they are calorie dense. A small handful as a snack or added to meals provides the health benefits without excessive calorie intake.
Health benefits of cinnamon
Cinnamon is not only a great way to add flavour to healthy air fryer recipes but it’s also has nutritional benefits. Its active compounds, particularly cinnamaldehyde, possess antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, which may protect against chronic diseases. reducing heart disease risk. Cinnamon's antimicrobial properties can combat infections, while its scent is believed to enhance cognitive function and mood. Incorporating cinnamon into your diet, whether in air fryer granola, oatmeal, smoothies, or baked goods, can be a flavourful way to support overall health.
Health benefits of oats
Oats are a nutritional powerhouse packed with health benefits. They are rich in dietary fibre, particularly beta-glucans, which help lower cholesterol levels and improve heart health. Oats have a low glycaemic index, making them an excellent choice for stabilizing blood sugar levels. Their high fibre content promotes digestive health and helps maintain a feeling of fullness. Oats are also a good source of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, contributing to overall wellbeing. Regular consumption of oats is associated with reduced risk factors for chronic diseases, making them a versatile and nutritious addition to your diet. Healthy air fryer recipes that incorporate oats include granola, crumble topping and homemade flapjack.
Homemade Granola with Apricots and Cinnamon
Ingredients
- 280 g nuts e.g. almonds, Brazils, pecans
- 240 g oats
- 300 g mixed seeds e.g. pumpkin and sunflower seeds
- 3 tablespoons coconut oil
- 3 tablespoons maple syrup
- 3 teaspoons ground cinnamon optional
- 1 large handful of dried apricots or raisins if you prefer
Instructions
- Roughly chop the nuts (or pulse in food processor for about 30 seconds).
- Place the nuts in a large mixing bowl and stir in the oats and seeds.
- In a small pan, on the hob, melt the coconut oil and stir in the maple syrup and cinnamon.
- Once the coconut oil has melted, pour the oil and syrup mixture into the dry ingredients and mix well.
- Place the mixture into your air fryer and bake at 170C for around 25 minutes. (I remove the rack first to make it easier to stir the mixture). Check and stir every 5 minutes to ensure everything cooks evenly. You can add an extra few minutes if needed to get a crunchy texture.
- When the granola is toasted and crunchy, leave it to cool completely (you need it to be totally cool before storing so that it retains its crunch).
- Chop the apricots into small pieces and stir through the granola mixture. Then store the granola in an airtight container where it will keep happily for several weeks.
Notes
Nutrition
Until recently I’ve been making cinnamon granola in the oven. But then I wondered if I could save time making granola in the air fryer. It was a great success – with regular checking and shaking, everything cooked evenly. The additional bonus was that unlike in the oven, there's no worries about getting distracted and forgetting about the granola – which has happened with the oven method, resulting in burnt nuts. And nobody wants burnt nuts with their breakfast!
By using the air fryer timer, it’s impossible to leave the granola in for too long – and because it takes less time to cook, I’m not so tempted to wander off and leave it. I also found it much easier to combine the ingredients in the air fryer drawer than on a baking sheet. So now whenever I make my homemade cinnamon granola, I always use the air fryer.
Granola can be a healthy addition to your diet when chosen wisely. It typically contains whole grains, nuts, seeds, and often dried fruits. These ingredients offer essential nutrients like fibre, protein, healthy fats, and vitamins. However, store-bought granola can sometimes be high in added sugars and unhealthy fats, so be sure to read labels carefully. Making air fryer granola lets you control ingredients and reduce added sugars. When enjoyed in moderation, paired with yogurt or milk and fresh fruits, granola can be a nutritious breakfast or snack.
Granola is a popular breakfast and snack food that’s traditionally made from rolled oats, nuts, seeds, and sweeteners like honey or maple syrup. It's often baked until it becomes crisp and golden brown. Granola can also include various ingredients like dried fruits, coconut flakes, chocolate chips, or spices for added flavour and texture.
The combination of oats, nuts, seeds, and sweeteners provides granola with a mix of protein, fibre, healthy fats, and carbohydrates, making it a nutritious and energy-dense food. Many people enjoy granola with yogurt, milk, or as a topping for smoothie bowls, but it's also great eaten on its own as a snack.
Granola is known for its versatility and can be customised to suit individual tastes and dietary preferences, whether that's making it gluten-free, vegan, or adjusting the sweetness level to your liking. It's a convenient and tasty way to incorporate whole grains and other nutritious ingredients into your diet.
Coconut oil is a versatile edible oil that is extracted from mature coconuts. It is known for its wide range of culinary and non-culinary uses. Coconut oil is popular in cooking and baking, especially in tropical and Asian cuisines. It has a distinct coconut flavour and is used for frying, sautéing, and as a flavour enhancer in various dishes.
Yes, you can use coconut oil in an air fryer, but there are a few important considerations:
Smoke Point: Coconut oil has a relatively low smoke point compared to some other cooking oils. The smoke point of unrefined (virgin) coconut oil is around 350°F (175°C), while refined coconut oil has a slightly higher smoke point at about 400°F (204°C). Most air frying recipes recommend cooking at temperatures around 350°F to 400°F, which is within the range for refined coconut oil.
Flavour: Coconut oil has a distinct coconut flavour, which can be a desirable or undesirable trait depending on the dish you're preparing. Keep in mind that this flavour will be present in your air-fried food.
Solid or Liquid State: Coconut oil is solid at room temperature but becomes a liquid when warmed. If you're using it in your air fryer, it will melt quickly as the appliance heats up. Alternatively, you can melt it in a pan on the hob before using the coconut oil in your air fryer.
Anonymous
Lovely granola and so easy to make!