This was the first time I’ve made granola and I am surprised I haven’t made it sooner. It is one of my favourite snacks and breakfasts. I think the danger with it is that once I start eating it I can’t stop! A lot of supermarket brand granolas are very high in sugars, and although there are some great lower sugar alternatives out there nowadays, as a student I can’t afford to spend £5 on a box of granola that will probably be demolished within a few days. Here’s the recipe so you can try it out yourself!

Ingredients:

• 200g jumbo oats
• 70g chopped nuts (I used almonds and walnuts)
• 2 tbsp coconut oil
• 3 tbsp maple syrup (or another liquid sweetner e.g. honey)
• 1 tbsp malt syrup (if you don’t have this, just add in an extra 1/2 tbsp of maple syrup)
• 1 tbsp cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp nutmeg
• 1/2 tsp ginger
• 1 tsp mixed spice
• 70g dried cranberries
• 25g dark chocolate chips

Method:

1. Preheat the oven to 180c and line a baking tray with parchment paper
2. In a large bowl, combine the oats and mixed nuts and set aside
3. In a saucepan, melt together the coconut oil, maple syrup, malt syrup and spices
4. Pour the melted mixture over the oats and nuts, and mix to make sure everything is well covered
5. Transfer oat mixture to a baking tray, using your hands to make sure it is tightly packed together
6. Bake for 15 minutes, then add the cranberries and bake for another 5 minutes
7. Remove from oven and allow to cool completely, before breaking into clusters and adding chocolate chips
8. Store in an airtight jar/container and enjoy!