Air Fryer Granola Bars
There is no better 15-minute air fryer granola recipe than this one! Made with six easy and healthful ingredients, including rolled oats, coconut oil, and your favorite nuts, it’s chunky and naturally sweetened with honey.
Granola made in an air fryer is simple to prepare and requires just six basic ingredients. Rolling oats, coconut oil, honey or maple syrup, vanilla, cinnamon, and your preferred nuts are required. I personally like to add pecans or walnuts, but you may also use peanuts, cashews, or almond slivers.
Crispy and chunky, air-fried granola has the ideal amount of sweetness. It has a hint of cinnamon and vanilla flavor, and since we only use honey to organically sweeten it, this recipe doesn’t include any refined sugars.
This air fryer granola recipe’s biggest feature is that you may alter it to suit your tastes! You can use any nut, add shredded coconut, add nut butter for taste, or even add chocolate chips and dried fruit. I’ve provided you with a number of recipe alternatives below!
Reasons to adore this recipe:
Granola made in an air fryer is nutty, crispy, and chunky.
This 15-minute granola recipe is the simplest and fastest.
Honey is used to organically sweeten it.
In addition to being nut-free and vegan, it is gluten-free.
Ideal for meal prep, breakfast, dessert, and snacking.
It has a cereal-like flavor.
Ingredients
One cup of traditional rolled oats
⅓ cup of your preferred nut, roughly chopped (almond, walnut, pecan, or peanuts)
Ground cinnamon, 1 teaspoon
Half a teaspoon of salt
Three tablespoons of honey
Melt two tablespoons of coconut oil.
Pure vanilla extract, 1 tsp
Children will adore it.
Directions
1. In a bowl, combine all the ingredients and stir to mix.
2. It’s crucial to line the basket of your air fryer with parchment paper. Using a spatula, press down to form a uniform layer after pouring out the granola mixture.
3. Cook in an air fryer at 330°F for 8 to 12 minutes, or until crisp and golden brown. Make sure the granola isn’t burning by checking at the 5-minute mark. As it cools, the granola will keep getting “darken.”
4. Before attempting to remove the granola from the basket, take the basket out of the air fryer and allow it to cool for five to ten minutes. Now take the parchment paper by the edges, take the granola out of the basket, and spread it out on the counter to cool fully.
5. Savor it!
Remarks
* For air fryer granola, avoid using steel-cut or quick oats.
Honey: Maple syrup is also an option.
Coconut Oil: You can substitute grapeseed oil, sunflower oil, avocado oil, or olive oil if you don’t have any coconut oil.
Vegan: Use maple syrup instead of honey to make this air fryer granola recipe vegan.
Nut-Free: Simply leave out the nuts to make this granola recipe nut-free.
Storage: Keep your homemade granola for two to three weeks at room temperature in an airtight jar.
Freezing: Put your air fryer granola in a freezer bag that can be sealed and kept in the freezer for up to three months.
Nutrition
Health Information
Granola bars can be a quick and nutritious snack, but the components they contain determine how much nutrients they contain. Making granola bars at home with an air fryer gives you complete control over the ingredients, making them a far healthier choice than store-bought ones that may be loaded with bad fats, added sugars, and preservatives.
1. High in Fiber:
Granola bars are high in fiber, especially those made with oats, nuts, and seeds. Fiber can help you control your weight by promoting heart health, regulating digestion, and prolonging feelings of fullness.
2. Good Fats:
You’re adding good monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats to your bars if you use nuts, seeds, or nut butters like peanut butter, walnuts, or almonds. These fats can provide you energy and help reduce harmful cholesterol.
3. Natural Sweeteners:
Honey, maple syrup, or date paste are healthier substitutes for refined sugars that can be used to sweeten air fryer granola bars. The vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants found in these natural sweeteners support general health.
4. Protein:
You may increase the protein content of your granola bars by adding items like nut butter, almonds, seeds, or protein powder. Immune system performance, muscle repair, and general growth and development all depend on protein.
5. Antioxidants:
Adding dried fruits to your granola bars, such as blueberries, raisins, or cranberries, might help lessen the risk of chronic diseases by reducing oxidative stress in the body.
6. Gluten-Free Options:
Making granola bars at home with gluten-free oats and making sure that all components are certified gluten-free is a fantastic option for people who are gluten sensitive or on a gluten-free diet.
7. Low in Processed Ingredients:
By creating your own granola bars, you may avoid using processed ingredients that are frequently present in store-bought varieties. This guarantees that the snack you’re consuming is made out of entire foods.
Cooking Tips
1. Use a Non-Stick Air Fryer Basket:
Line the air fryer basket with parchment paper or apply non-stick spray to keep your granola bars from sticking. When your bars are cooked, this will make taking them out easier.
2. Maintain a Low Temperature in the Air Fryer:
Granola bars cook best at a temperature of about 320°F (160°C). Lower cooking temperatures guarantee that the bars stay soft and chewy on the inside without burning on the outside. Depending on your air fryer and the thickness of the bars, cooking durations usually vary from 8 to 12 minutes.
3. Avoid Overcrowding:
Avoid packing the air fryer basket too full if you’re preparing several batches. Uneven cooking might result from crowding, which can also impact air movement. For optimal effects, make sure the bars are in a single layer.
4. Preheat the Air Fryer:
Give the air fryer a few minutes to warm up before adding your granola bars. Preheating guarantees even results by ensuring the bars begin cooking instantly at the proper temperature.
5. Press the Mixture Firmly:
To make sure the bars stay together when baked, use a spatula to press the granola mixture down firmly before adding it to the air fryer basket. The bars will retain their shape and uniform texture with a tight press.
6. Check for Doneness:
A few minutes before the suggested cooking time is up, check on the granola bars because they can easily turn from golden to burnt. Apply light pressure to the bars; once completed, they should feel solid to the touch.
7. Allow Them to Cool Fully: Before slicing your granola bars into squares or rectangles, allow them to cool fully after cooking. This keeps them from crumbling and helps them solidify.
8. Try Different Add-ins:
Feel free to use items that you enjoy to make your granola bars unique. Your bars’ taste and nutritional value can be improved by adding ingredients like chocolate chips, dried fruit, coconut flakes, or spices (like cinnamon).
Conclusion
Compared to store-bought granola bars, making them in the air fryer is a quick and healthier option. Healthy snacks that are high in fiber, protein, antioxidants, and good fats can be made with whole foods like oats, nuts, seeds, and natural sweeteners. Your granola bars will be crispy on the outside and chewy on the inside if you follow the instructions, making them a filling and nutrient-dense snack that you can have at any time of day. Using an air fryer reduces cooking time and does not require a conventional oven, making it a practical and effective option. Make the recipe your own by experimenting with different components, and then savor a healthy snack that satisfies your hunger without any of the undesirable additives!
