Ah, chai spiced granola! It’s like a warm hug on a crisp morning, isn’t it? With each bite, you’re whisked away to a bustling spice market—cinnamon, cardamom, and a hint of ginger mingling like old friends. Just imagine starting your day with this, paired with a steaming cup of coffee or tea.
Steps
- Preheat your oven to 300°F (150°C) and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or foil. If your baking sheet is small, consider using two.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the warmed honey, melted coconut oil, vanilla extract, and almond extract until they are well combined.
- In a larger bowl, combine oats, nuts, shredded coconut, and the chai spice mix, ensuring everything is evenly mixed.
- Pour the honey mixture over the dry ingredients and toss until everything is evenly coated.
- Spread the granola mixture evenly on the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 20 minutes, stirring halfway through to ensure even cooking.
- Continue baking for an additional 5-10 minutes, or until the nuts are toasted and the granola is golden.
- Remove from the oven and let the granola cool on a wire rack. Store the cooled granola in a sealed container for up to three weeks.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup warmed honey or agave
- 2 tablespoons melted coconut oil
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
- 4 cups old-fashioned oats or gluten-free oats
- 2 cups mixed nuts (such as almonds and pecans)
- 1 cup shredded coconut
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground cardamom
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon allspice
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
FAQ
- What ingredients are needed to make Chai-Spiced Granola?
- The recipe requires honey or agave, coconut oil, vanilla extract, almond extract, old-fashioned oats, nuts (such as almonds and pecans), shredded coconut, and a chai spice mix composed of ground cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, allspice, black pepper, cloves, and salt.
- How do you prepare the chai spice mix for the granola?
- To make the chai spice mix, combine 2 teaspoons of ground cinnamon, 1 teaspoon of ground cardamom, 1 teaspoon of ground ginger, 1/4 teaspoon of allspice, 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper, 1/4 teaspoon of ground cloves, and 1/4 teaspoon of salt.
- What is the baking process for Chai-Spiced Granola?
- Preheat the oven to 300°F (about 150°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil. Mix the honey, coconut oil, and extracts in a small bowl, then combine the oats, nuts, coconut, and chai spice mix in a large bowl. Add the honey mixture to the dry ingredients and spread evenly on the baking sheet. Bake for 20 minutes, stirring halfway through, and then continue baking for another 5-10 minutes until the nuts are toasted.
- How should the granola be stored and how long does it keep?
- The granola should be kept in a sealed container and can last for up to 3 weeks.
- How can you enjoy Chai-Spiced Granola?
- The granola can be enjoyed with almond milk, in a Greek yogurt parfait topped with fruit, or simply on its own as a snack. For a chai-themed breakfast, consider serving it with a cup of chai tea.
Tips
- To ensure even cooking and avoid burning, remember to stir the granola halfway through the baking process. This helps in achieving a consistent texture and flavor throughout the batch.
- For a more intense chai flavor, consider increasing the amount of spices slightly or adjusting them to suit your taste preferences. This can help enhance the aromatic experience of the granola.
- If you prefer a different level of sweetness, experiment with the quantity of honey or agave used. Adjusting this can help tailor the granola to satisfy your personal taste.
- Once baked, ensure the granola cools completely before storing it in a sealed container. This step is crucial to maintaining its crunchiness and extending its shelf life up to three weeks.
Equipment
- Spiced Granola, you might need the following equipment that you could typically find on Amazon and may not already have at home:
- Large Baking Sheet – If you don’t already own a large baking sheet, you might need to purchase one to ensure that the granola is spread out evenly for baking.
- Parchment Paper or Aluminum Foil – While these are often found at home, purchasing them online might be necessary if you are out of stock.
- Wire Cooling Rack – Useful for cooling the granola after baking; not everyone has this in their kitchen.
