Chocolate & Orange Granola

We love granola in our house. Served with Greek yoghurt and fresh fruit, it’s an incredibly healthy way to start the day. But only if you are using a quality granola with not too much sugar in and preferably zero additives.

To avoid some of the commercial granolas that can be over sugary and often lacking on the good things such as nuts and seeds (and flavour!), why not make your own? This granola combines a match made in heaven - chocolate and orange - and as you are in control of the ingredients, lots of protein from nuts and seeds and little sugar. And it is utterly delicious!

Experiment with flavours and spices but get your confidence up by making this first. It will keep in an airtight jar for two weeks but really, it won’t last that long as you will want to eat it every day!

Ingredients

150g rolled oats

150g of chopped nuts (I like to use 50g each of walnuts, hazelnuts and almonds)

25g each of pumpkin seeds, flax seeds and sunflower seeds

Half tsp each of ground ginger and cinnamon

5 tbsp runny honey

1tbsp coconut oil

Juice and zest of one orange

2 tbsp cocoa powder

1 - Pre-heat the oven to 180C/Fan 160C/GM4.

2 - In a large mixing bowl, combine the oats, nuts, seeds and spices.

3 - In a saucepan, melt the coconut oil and combine with the honey, orange juice and zest and cocoa powder.

4 - Pour into the oat and nut mixture and stir to combine thoroughly. Tip out and spread onto a baking tray lined with non-stick baking paper. Bake for 20-25 minutes, stirring halfway though, until beginning to toast and darken.

5 - Remove and allow to cool on the tray. Break up slightly and tip into an airtight jar.