Chocolate Granola

I have been baking granola quite regularly for the past 5-6 months. It has become a go-to snack for my hubby before his morning jog or as a mid morning snack. I am also glad that I am able to give small batches of my home baked granola to my sister and family atleast twice a month. This is so very easy to make and plus you have an added advantage of knowing what exactly goes into it. Moreover, it can be custom made

according to one’s choice of nuts and fruits. If you read the ingredients list, you will realise that the store bought ones are loaded with sugar and fat. Enjoy it with milk or simply munch it or top it on your oats porridge, it tastes yummy.

My little niece is a not a big fan of too many nuts and dry fruits (just like most kids of her age), so here is a chocolate version of my granola. Use a good quality of cocoa powder. You can sweeten it with honey, maple syrup, little organic cane sugar or even jaggery powder. Yes you really need some sweetener as I have omitted all dried fruits. You can top it with loads of chocolate chips, but make sure that you add the chocolate chips after the granola is fully cooled or else it would melt. You can use any nuts or dry fruits that your kids like,

There is no hard and fast rule regarding the ingredients used and the amount of it. I have used some ragi flakes too along with the oats, its completely optional though. You may add jowar/barley or corn flakes instead or completely skip it. You can add any nuts like almonds, walnuts, pistachios, pecan nuts, pine nuts of your choice. Additionally, you may add sunflower seeds,  pumpkin seeds, flax seeds, melon seeds or chia seeds.

As always, I have used my 240 ml cup. Serve it with a cup of milk and your kid’s breakfast or evening snack is sorted. Make small batches and store in good airtight containers. These stay good, fresh and crunchy for surely two weeks. Please do try and share your feedback. You can mail me at pradeepa.nair0@gmail.com or add comments in the post. More versions of granola coming up soon…

Ingredients:

• Rolled oats 2 cups
• Ragi flakes 1/2 cup
• Salt a pinch
• Sliced almonds 1/2 cup
• Chocolate chips 1/2 cup
• Cocoa powder 2-3 tbsp
• Honey 2-3 tbsp
• Cane sugar/jaggery 3-4 tbsp
• Water 2-3 tbsp
• Ghee/oil 1 tbsp
• Vanilla/chocolate extract 1/2 tsp

Method:

• Line a baking tray with parchment paper and keep it ready.
• Preheat the oven at around 160-170 degree Celsius for ten minutes. I use both rods with the fan mode on settings in my Borosil prima 60 litres.
• In a sauce pan, add cocoa powder, sugar/jaggery, honey and water. Mix it till its free of any lumps.

• Add ghee or oil (any flavourless oil would do) and heat it slightly till the mixture is homogeneous.
• Mix the rolled oats and ragi flakes in a big bowl. To this mixture, add a pinch of salt and chopped almond pieces.

• Add some good quality vanilla or chocolate extract to the liquid ingredients and mix well.
• Pour the liquid ingredients into the dry mixture and toss well so that the entire oats and ragi flakes are coated well.

• Transfer the entire contents into the parchment lined baking tray and spread it evenly.

• Bake it for 30-40 minutes or till the oats and nuts turn crispy.
• Make sure that you toss and flip it well every ten minutes or so.
• Remove the tray from the oven and cool it completely.
• Once the granola is fully cooled, add the chocolate chips and mix thoroughly.

• Store in airtight containers and enjoy.