Exotic Vietnam-Inspired Granola | Healthy Snack Recipes
05/07/2024Picture this: a bowl filled to the brim with crunchy clusters of oats, kissed by the vibrant hues of freeze-dried dragon fruit, jackfruit, and mango. Each spoonful is a burst of colour, like a fireworks display in your breakfast bowl. But wait, there's more! Sprinkled throughout are cashew nuts, pistachios, pumpkin and sunflower seeds, adding a delightful crunch that's as addictive as playing a round of Vietnamese street-style hopscotch.
"Why Vietnam?" you ask? Well, it's where our fruity adventures began! Imagine Dan and Nat, backpacking through East Asia, on a quest for the most exotic fruits and ethical farms. Then, like a fruity fairy tale, they stumble upon Vietnam's lush landscapes. Here, they uncover the delicious treasures of dragon fruit, mangoes, and jackfruit—each bite a taste of tropical paradise. It's not just about the fruit; it's a whimsical journey through Vietnam's juicy wonders!
What are the best nuts for a granola?
Added to this granola recipe are nuts and seeds: cashews, pistachios, pumpkin seeds and sunflower seeds, which are extremely popular in Vietnam. Cashew nuts, originating from Northern China and Mongolia, are a rare luxury due to trees fruiting only every 4-5 years. They also grow in Vietnam's sunny southern provinces like Binh Phuoc and Dong Nai, and they symbolise luck and prosperity, adding a dash of fortune to every breakfast.
How to use dried fruit?
This recipe is perfect for those wondering how to cook with freeze-dried fruits. Adding a touch of fruitiness and transforming your morning granola into a healthy breakfast option that will help you hit your 5 a day!
Ingredients
Makes 10 portions
- 375g oats
- 60g shelled pistachios
- 60g cashews
- 1 bag of Dragon fruit chips
- 1 bag of Mango chips
- 1 bag of Jackfruit chips
- 3 tbsp of sunflower and pumpkin seeds mix
- 60ml golden syrup
- 60ml honey
- 3 tbsp vegetable oil
Instructions
- Preheat the oven at 140 °C fan/160°C/Gas 6.
- Chop pistachios and cashews roughly. Add to a bowl with oats and mix together.
- Add honey, golden syrup and vegetable oil and mix well together with a wooden spoon, breaking well apart to avoid big clumps.
- Place on a baking tray lined with parchment paper and place in the oven for 25 min, mixing after 15 min, then again after 20 min.
- Take out of the oven and leave to cool for 15 to 20 min.
- In the meantime, break the Soul Fruit's freeze-dried fruits in smaller pieces.
- Once it has cool down, add the seeds and the dried fruits to the granola and mix together with your hands.
- Granola’s ready! Enjoy with milk or Greek yoghurt.