For Perfectly Coated Granola, Get The Ratio Right

Making your own granola at home might seem like another weekend chore, but it can also be a nutritious and fun way to change up your weekly meals. 

One of the best things about granola is that it can be whatever you want it to be. You can add nuts and maple syrup, or you can be a little more indulgent and add a chocolate drizzle. As Healthline points out though, granola is often thought of as a health food which can make for some confusing assumptions.

While some brands design their product with health and wellness in mind, others may add an abundance of sweeteners and fats to make them taste better. All things are good in moderation, but this does require attentive shoppers to know what they're buying.

According to Mayo Clinic, the best way around this guessing game is to simply make your own granola. This also allows you to control the number of clusters and easily know what you're consuming.

Granola can take many shapes and forms. While it most often consists of rolled oats, nuts, and dried fruit, it can accommodate all sorts of different ingredients, per Healthline. Two things that any good granola needs are some type of sweetener, and some type of fat. This might seem counterproductive for those who are trying to reduce sugar or fat in their diet, but these are both important elements of quality granola. Thankfully, if you make your own you'll have control over both.

Fats like olive oil (which we recommend) help the ingredients to roast nicely in the oven. Not only will it give you the crunch that you're looking for in a good granola, but it also adds a nice toasted flavor as well. Slate adds that granola made without fat just won't cook quite as nicely.

Adding sweeteners is also necessary. Not only do they add sweetness, but can also help the ingredients stick together. This produces those distinct clumps that make granola such a deliciously crunchy topping in the first place.

If you're looking to reduce your intake of either of these nutrients though, all you need to do is adjust your ingredients carefully and follow the golden ratio.

Granola can be a great source of dense nutrients and fiber, but additional fats and sugars can affect what kind of a role it plays in your diet, per Healthline. You might be tempted to then adjust one or both of these ingredients when you make your own granola. It's important that if you do choose to make these changes, you still follow the correct ratio.

Something Edible claims that there needs to be a 50-50 ratio of sweetener to fat when making granola. This helps keep a good balance of flavors while creating that ideal granola texture. The sugars will help create clumps and add sweetness, while the oil will make things toasted and well-rounded. If you want to reduce either of these elements, simply reduce the other by the same proportions to maintain this balance.

As Vogue points out, there are countless options for sweeteners and fats to use in granola. They all have their own benefits and disadvantages, but by making your own you get to decide which is right for you and your needs.