Olive oil? In granola? Certo! (Certainly!) This idea offered to me by my sister-in-law Mirna, was worth exploring. I’ve made plenty of granola in the past and recently started craving it with my morning yogurt and fruit. A quick label read at the local healthy grocery store revealed that every single brand on the shelf from medium-priced to expensive all contained canola oil. As a canola oil rebel, I was disgusted that all these companies creating so-called nutritious and healthy cereals would be reluctant to add anything other than canola! Yes, I realize that canola oil has its benefits for some but I choose to eliminate it from my diet – GMO’s, pesticides, high heat processing – you get the picture. When the suggestion was made to substitute olive oil for canola oil, at first I suspected it might have a flavor incongruent to the cinnamon and maple syrup in the granola. I took the chance anyway. The results – the best granola I have ever made. I used my Galantino medium fruity EVOO but think it would be extraordinary with lemon or mandarin oil as well. The granola cooks at a very low temperature so the oil remains stable and holds onto all its health benefits. Because the ingredients in granola are personal, feel free to substitute your own favorite nuts or fruits. I love coconut and feel this adds the amount of sweetness I like. One trick I’ve learned over the years is to add the nuts and coconut nearing the end of the baking time so they do not over-toast. I stir in the dried fruit when the granola has cooled.
So for you brave hearts that try this delicious snack, please send me a comment and let me know how you liked it. I think it will make a great nibble at work!
Olive Oil Granola
Ingredients
- Preheat oven to 250 degrees
- 4 cups oatmeal I use Trader Joe’s organic
- 1/4 cup dark brown sugar
- 1 Tablespoon cinnamon I used a bit more and love King Arthur’s Vietnamese Cinnamon
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1/2 cup maple syrup
- 1 cup nuts: I used 1/2 cup slivered almonds and 1/2 cup pecans
- 3/4 cup dried fruit of your choice: I used dried cherries golden raisins, dried cranberries, and dried blueberries
- 3/4 cup sweetened or unsweetened coconut or as I just discovered coconut chips
- A sprinkling of chia or flax seeds is nice too.
Instructions
- Mix together the oats, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt.
- Combine the olive oil and maple syrup.
- Pour olive oil/syrup mixture over oats and stir to combine well.
- Pour out onto a 13 X 18 baking sheet lined with parchment paper. I do this so the pan stays cleaner! You can also use two smaller cookie sheets. If you use two cookie sheets, the layers are thinner so watch carefully as it will cook faster.
- Bake for about 2 hours or until desired crunchiness and well-browned. Stir every 20 minutes to evenly brown.
- Just before the granola is finished, stir in the coconut and nuts and cook just until browned.
- Cool and stir in the dried fruit of your choice.
- This granola is not clumpy. If you prefer it clumpy, give it a gentle stir in the beginning and then allow pieces to stick together.
- A word of caution: Do not be tempted to increase the heat to cook the granola faster. I did this the last time I made it and it burned very quickly!
“The olive tree is such a beautiful reminder that this isn’t how it’s going to be forever. On the other side of the harsh wind is fruit. On the other side of the process of being broken and waiting is a useful heart free of bitterness. On the other side of being pressed and crushed is oil . . . the most valuable part of me set free to emerge.”
― Lysa TerKeurst, Uninvited: Living Loved When You Feel Less Than, Left Out, and Lonely
Ciao for now!
Love,
Mary
How fabulous! Can’t wait to try this. Thanks Mary!!
Mary: have your new products been posted to the site? what new olive oils and olives etc will be available?? thx luv j
Yummy!! And it looks beautiful too.
Yummy! Can’t go wrong with olive oil.
It is sooooo good! What cravings will do for uses for olive oil!! XXOO
Hi Jane! I just picked up oils in LA today after a 5 week vacation in customs!! The olives and balsamic were released but I can’t retrieve them until next week. Such a learning curve with the import business! The new products will appear next week on my site. There are lots!! I will ship your order soon. Thanks for your patience! It will be worth it! XXOO
Thanks for reading Carolyn! I was so surprised at how good it tasted and how healthy it is for you. A bit of carbs but who doesn’t crave carbs? Can’t wait to see you when you’re in town. You can taste all the new olive oil flavors! XXOO
Thanks Mary Joy! As a granola eater, I know you will love this recipe. Your granola was delicious too! Hope to see you again soon!! XXOO
Hi Mary, Your recipe sounds yummy. I’ll try it this week-end. Love Barb
Hi Barb! I love how you cook these recipes! Please let me know how you like it or how you adapt it for your own tastes. I love you!! XXO
Had it with my fruit and yogurt this morning. Yummy..thanks for sharing the bounty with me. Can’t ever get enough of your fabulous cooking! You rock!!!! Love you.
YOU rock! My ever-inspiring cheerleader and role model. You lit the fire for all my cooking adventures! XO
Wow, Mary! I just made the granola and it was well worth the extra time it took! Thanks so much! Can’t wait to read more exciting adventures of cooking and traveling!
Thanks Debi! I made it again tonight using the orange olive oil and a bit of orange zest and wow was it delicious. In reviewing the recipe, I noticed that I neglected to finish the recipe about adding the coconut and fruit! It is now edited. So glad you are following me. I am planning another trip to Italy and will email you for some tips on our Black Madonna sites. Ciao and graze molto!!! XXOO