Healthy Air Fryer Granola
In my book, healthy air-fryer granola is heaven. Quick recipe. Simple recipe. Crunchy with a contrasting chewiness.
If you don’t already know it, we worship at the altar of granola. We miss it sorely when a jar of it is not in the pantry. And I’ve always used the baking recipe.
This healthy air-fryer granola was born out of a longing for tasty granola without melting in a blistering kitchen. So, an air fryer it was!
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WHY MAKE GRANOLA IN AIR FRYER?
It’s convenient.
It’s super-fast.
It’s perfect for small batches.
You can make it without switching on the oven and roasting in the kitchen in this sweltering heat.
HOW TO MAKE AIR FRYER GRANOLA?
Step 1: Mix the wet ingredients: peanut butter, coconut oil, honey, vanilla extract, and a pinch of cinnamon powder.
Step 2: Add dry ingredients: rolled oats, almonds, walnuts, pumpkin seeds, and sunflower seeds. Mix well.
Step 3: Air-fry the peanut butter granola. Spread the mixture in an even layer and bake for 16 minutes. Every 4-5 minutes take out the basket, shake it, or give the granola a good stir, and then slide it back in.
Step 4: Carefully transfer the warm granola to a bowl. While the granola is still warm, mix in the dry fruits.
Step 5: Let it cool completely.
Final step: Store in an airtight jar.
TIPS ON MAKING GRANOLA IN AIR FRYER
- I didn’t use parchment paper. And didn't have any problem with the clean up. However, feel free to line your basket if you wish Cut the parchment paper to the right size, and remember to poke holes to allow for air circulation.
- No two air fryers are the same. So, the exact time WILL differ for everyone. Since they work so fast, I cannot stress the importance of stirring the granola enough.
FAQs
How to make granola in an air fryer without burning it?
Break the air-frying time into batches, and nothing gets burned.
I found the “4 minutes-stir-4-minute” formula worked for me. If you’re skeptical, feel free to check at the 3-minute mark if the granola is browning evenly.
Why do we add dry fruits after the granola is air-fried?
Well, because it makes for a texturally flawless air fryer granola. Crunchy but with a smidgen of chewiness.
However, it’s a personal preference. You can add the cranberries halfway through, too.
Can I make granola without an air fryer?
Yes, granola can be made in an oven or on a stove-top in a skillet too!
Please check my banana granola recipe for baking instructions.
AIR FRYER GRANOLA INGREDIENT SWAPS
Oats: Steer clear of quick or steel-cut oats. They will burn. Stick to rolled oats only.
Peanut butter: crunchy, creamy, or natural—all versions work a miracle. Or you can switch to any nut butter you love.
Sweetener: Honey was my choice. Any liquid sweetener like maple syrup would do in this healthy air fryer granola recipe.
Oil: No, you don’t have to make granola with coconut oil if it’s not to your taste. Use sunflower oil.
Nuts: Almonds and walnuts are the dynamic duo for me, but any nuts would do here.
Seeds: I love, love, love the blend of sunflower and pumpkin seeds granola. Don’t let that limit you. Use whatever seeds you can track down.
Dry fruits: I am a die-hard fan of cranberries in all sorts of granola. Don’t care for them? Raisins, dried apricots, and dried pineapples, mango, papaya are all exceptional options.
SERVING CRISPY AIR FRYER GRANOLA
Snack: Serve it as-is and snack on it by the fistfuls.
As a topping: On chia puddings, smoothies, overnight oats, and ice cream (yes, ice cream), granola is the perfect foil. Oomph it up with coconut flakes.
With milk or yogurt: We’re suckers for not-too-sweet granola. But if you’re serving it for breakfast with milk, go ahead and add some honey to the bowl. Yogurt, fresh fruits, and air fryer granola are another epic pairing that everyone must try.
STORING PEANUT BUTTER GRANOLA
The key to keeping granola crunchy and chewy until the very last bite is to cool it completely.
Let all the heat escape.
Only then should you store it in an airtight jar, and it’ll keep for weeks. Not that any homemade granola lasts that long.
MORE EASY HOMEMADE GRANOLA RECIPES
Recipe
Healthy Air Fryer Granola
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp Peanut butter
- 1/3 cup Honey You can also use maple syrup or agave syrup
- 1/4 cup Coconut oil
- 2 tsp Vanilla extract
- 1 tsp Cinnamon powder
- 1.5 cups Rolled oats
- 1/4 cup Pumpkin seeds
- 2 tbsp Sunflower seeds
- 1/4 cup Almonds
- 1/4 cup Walnuts
- 1/4 cup Sliced dried cranberries
- 1 tbsp Pumpkin seeds Optional
Instructions
- In a large bowl, mix together the peanut butter, coconut oil, honey, vanilla extract, and cinnamon powder.
- Add the rolled oats, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, almonds, and walnuts to the mixture and stir well until all the ingredients are well coated with the peanut butter mixture.
- Cut a parchment to the size of your air-fryer basket and poke some holes in it. Lay it out at the bottom of the basket.
- Transfer the oats mixture in an even layer on the parchment line basket.
- Bake at 165 C for 15-16 minutes, stirring the mixture every 4-5 minutes.
- The granola is done when your granola is golden brown and crunchy.
- Carefully take the granola out of the air-fryer and mix in the cranberries and extra pumpkin seeds ( optional) while it is still warm.
- Let the granola cool completely before transferring to a jar or air-tight container. Enjoy!
