Air fryer granola

Ingredients You’ll Need

The Dry Base

• Rolled Oats: 3 cups (Old-fashioned rolled oats work best; avoid quick-cooking oats as they burn quickly in high airflow).

• Raw Pecans or Walnuts: 3/4 cup, roughly chopped.

• Raw Pumpkin Seeds (Pepitas): 1/2 cup.

• Unsweetened Coconut Flakes: 1/2 cup (Wide chips add incredible texture).

• Ground Cinnamon: 1.5 teaspoons.

• Fine Sea Salt: 1/2 teaspoon (Salt is key to balance the sweetness).

The Wet Binder

• Pure Maple Syrup or Honey: 1/3 cup.

• Melted Coconut Oil or Neutral Oil: 3 tablespoons.

• Pure Vanilla Extract: 1 teaspoon.

Optional Post-Cook Mix-Ins

• Dried Cranberries, Raisins, or Chopped Dates: 1/2 cup (Added after air frying to prevent toughening or burning).

Step-by-Step Cooking Guide

Pro Tips for Air Fryer Success

• Keep the Heat Moderate: The biggest mistake with air fryer granola is setting the temperature too high ($350^\circ\text{F}+$). Because the heating elements are so close to the food, oats and nuts can turn from toasted to scorched in under 30 seconds. Stick to $300^\circ\text{F}$–$320^\circ\text{F}$.

• Use Parchment Paper: To stop tiny seeds and oat grains from falling through the air fryer basket wire grid, always use air fryer parchment liners.

• Add Dried Fruit Afterwards: Never cook dried fruit like raisins or cranberries in the air fryer basket; the high circulating heat will dehydrate them into hard, unchewable bits.

Shelf Life & Storage Instructions

• Room Temperature Storage: Store completely cooled granola in an airtight glass jar or container. Store in a cool, dark pantry for up to 3 to 4 weeks.

• Freezer Storage: You can freeze granola in a zip-top freezer bag for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature for 10 minutes before eating.

Detailed Nutritional Breakdown

Calculated per serving (based on 1/2 cup serving size, yields 12 servings total).