As someone who makes A LOT OF granola, when I came across this idea of a soft and chewy granola, I was intrigued. The secret is to use a runny honey and cook at a low temperature.
This Chewy Honey Granola is totally addictive. There’s so much crunch… yet in a softer sort of way. The golden raisins become even more concentrated and chewy without getting hard. I ate this Chewy Honey Granola with yogurt and fruit for breakfast, drizzled with a little chocolate for dessert and then I just snacked on it throughout the day. Plus, it’s a powerhouse of protein and fiber thanks to all the nuts and seeds.
Give it a try and let me know what you think!
Happy eating,
~Monique
Chewy Honey Granola
1 tbls olive oil or ghee
3/4 cup quinoa (uncooked)
4 tbls ghee
1/3 cup honey, plus 2 extra tbls
3/4 cup slivered almonds
1/4 cup pumpkin (pepita) seeds
1/3 cup hemp seeds
1/4 cup chia seeds
1/4 cup sesame seeds
1/3 cup ground flaxseed
1/3 cup golden raisins
1/2 tsp pink salt
Preheat the oven to 275 degrees. Line a sheet pan with parchment paper.
Measure out the almonds, pumpkin, hemp, chia, sesame seeds, ground flax, and golden raisins – place in a large bowl. Set aside.
Heat a large skillet over medium-low heat. Add the olive oil and quinoa, and toast to lightly brown the quinoa (roughly 5 minutes). Turn off the heat. Add the ghee and honey. Stir to melt the ghee and incorporate it with the honey. (The residual heat of the pan should allow this, but if your pan becomes too cold after heating the ghee, turn the flame on low just long enough to melt the ghee.)
Pour in the mixed seeds and stir until everything is well coated. Pour onto the parchment-lined pan. Smooth it out to a single layer.
Place in the oven and cook for 20 minutes. Remove from the oven, push all the outside edges to the middle, and drizzle with the additional 2 tablespoons of honey. Smooth back out. Return to the oven for 10 minutes. Turn off the oven and let the pan sit in the oven for an additional 20- 30 minutes until golden
Remove from the oven, cool slightly, and then break apart into chunks. Store in an airtight container on the counter. If you store it in the refrigerator, the granola will turn crunchy; not a bad thing, just not the chewiness it was meant for.)
This Chewy, Soft Seedy Granola is unexpectedly addictive.