Nutty Walnut Granola Crunch

Vegan

Start the day as you mean to go on with this lovely, crunchy-style cereal. Unlike many commercial varieties, it isn’t laden with oil, refined sugar or honey. Serve with soya/rice milk and fresh fruit.

Serves:

Serves 20 – keeps well in an air-tight container

Time:

70 minutes

Ingredients:

600g/1 pound 5oz rolled oats
150g/5oz barley or brown rice flour
125g/scant 5oz coarsely chopped walnuts
125g/scant 5oz raw sunflower seeds
½ tsp salt
240ml/8 fl oz apple juice concentrate
120ml/4 fl oz agave, date or maple syrup (agave is best if you can get it)
2 tbsp rapeseed oil
2 tbsp water
2 tsp vanilla extract
150g/generous 5oz raisins

Method:

1. Preheat oven to 170°C/325°F/Gas Mark 3.

2. Combine oats, flour, walnuts, sunflower seeds and salt in a large bowl.

3. In a separate bowl, whisk together juice, syrup, oil, water and vanilla.

4. Pour over dry ingredients and mix thoroughly until moistened evenly.

5. Divide mixture between two large oven trays, spreading out into a 2cm/1 inch thick layer.

6. Bake until golden brown, stirring well every 15 minutes – use a timer.

7. Cooking time total 50-60 minutes.

8. Remove from oven and stir in raisins while mixture is still hot.

9. When the granola is cooled completely, store it in airtight containers in the fridge or a cool cupboard.

10. Other options include chopped dates, chopped unsulphured apricots - or any dried fruit of your choice.