What? A recipe on a Saturday?
Yep, today I've been in a baking mood and as soon as I tasted this granola, it had to be blogged right away. It's that good.
So I'm bucking the usual trend and today the spotlight is on this amazing granola!
The recipe was a bit of an experiment. I had no idea if it was going to work - and it was my first time making granola! I have a carton of egg whites open (yes, you can buy them at Woolworths!) and I knew that egg whites make super crunchy granola clusters - so I got to work.
As a banana fiend, I knew I wanted it to have some banana flavour - but then my chocoholic side begged for chocolate granola. So what do you do? Combine the two!
Australians, if you're gluten free you probably already know that oats aren't - but that's where my beloved iHerb steps in! As an oatmeal fiend, I am addicted to Bob's Red Mill Gluten Free Oats and get the shipped regularly from iHerb. If you're buying for the first time, sweeten the deal with $5 off - just use the coupon code OTO868.
Gluten Free Oatmeal is quite possibly my favourite pantry staple - especially now that I know I can make granola!!
This granola comes together into lovely granola clusters - just make sure you don't break them up too much! and the other good thing about this granola? It's made without butter or oil! Now, onto the recipe!
Cocoa Banana Granola - makes 1 1/2 cups, but is easily doubled!
Healthy, low fat, gluten free granola
1 1/2 cups gluten free oatmeal
1 tsp cocoa powder (for a richer chocolate flavour, add more!)
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 medium banana, mashed (about 1/4C)
1 tsp vanilla extract
2-3 tbsp maple syrup
1/4 cup egg whites (about 2 egg whites - I use Naturegg Simply Egg Whites)
Optional: nuts, seeds, dried fruit, chocolate chips (add in afterwards)
Preheat oven to 180°C/355°F.
Line a baking sheet with baking paper.
In a large bowl add oats and salt.
In a medium bowl mash banana and add in cocoa powder, vanilla, maple syrup, egg whites and any add ins (except chocolate chips, if using).
Pour out the granola mixture onto the baking sheet and spread out - leaving some big clusters.
Bake for 30-40 minutes or until granola is crisp, stirring gently halfway through.
Store in an airtight container for ~1 week.
So tell me, are you a granola clusters fan? or do you prefer your granola without them?
Ahhh awesome recipe- saving it as we speak ;) Do they container of egg whites last long, as in the expiry date?
ReplyDeleteThank you! They have a long shelf life, the use by date was November sometime - but once you open them it says to use within 7 days.
DeleteIf you don't use them up, you could always freeze them too! Egg whites freeze brilliantly.
Ooh I really want to try this now! I didn't realise that you could use banana in granola (I know how stupid that sounds now that I write it :P).
ReplyDeleteHaha, I will find a way to put banana in anything ;P it's so delicious! I'm going to have to make a second, bigger batch!
DeleteClusters for sure!! I love your blog : )
ReplyDeleteThank you so much! You totally put a smile on my face :)
DeleteGranola is in the oven and the lovely aroma of dark cocoa and sweet bananas is filling my house.. i decided not to add chocolate this time but am curious when I would add it if I chose to? Looking forward to sampling it- the clusters look too good to be true -MamaLiss
ReplyDeleteHi MamaLiss, how good does it smell!?
DeleteIf you want to add chocolate chips, the best time to add it is once the granola has cooled - otherwise it will melt and you'll get big clumps of chocolate (though... who said that was a bad thing! ;P)
Let me know what you think!