Description
This Air Fryer Protein Granola recipe offers a quick and healthy way to enjoy a crunchy, protein-packed snack or breakfast topping. Combining rolled oats, protein powder, nuts, seeds, and natural sweeteners, this granola is easy to prepare using an air fryer for a perfectly toasted texture without the need for an oven. Customize it with your favorite dried fruits and enjoy it with yogurt, milk, or on its own.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups Rolled Oats (or substitute with quick oats or quinoa flakes)
- 1/2 cup Protein Powder (whey, plant-based, or collagen peptides)
- 2 tablespoons Chia Seeds (or substitute with flax seeds or hemp seeds)
- 1/2 cup Nuts (almonds, walnuts, or other nuts; or substitute with pumpkin or sunflower seeds for a nut-free version)
- 1 teaspoon Cinnamon (or substitute with pumpkin pie spice or apple pie spice)
- 1/4 teaspoon Salt (or omit or use a pinch of sea salt)
Wet Ingredients
- 1/4 cup Nut Butter (almond butter, peanut butter, or sunflower seed butter)
- 1/4 cup Honey (or substitute with agave syrup, stevia, maple syrup, or coconut sugar)
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract (or substitute with almond extract, or omit if needed)
Optional Add-ins
- 1/3 cup Dried Fruit (raisins, cranberries, etc.)
Instructions
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the rolled oats, protein powder, chia seeds, and your choice of nuts or seeds. Stir well to distribute all the dry components evenly.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Stir in the nut butter, honey (or maple syrup), vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are evenly coated to form a sticky granola mixture.
- Preheat Air Fryer: Set your air fryer to 320°F (160°C) and allow it to preheat for about 3 to 5 minutes to ensure even cooking.
- Cook Granola: Transfer the granola mixture to the air fryer basket in an even layer. Cook for 8 to 10 minutes, shaking or stirring the granola halfway through the cooking time to promote uniform browning and crispiness.
- Cool Granola: Once the granola turns golden brown and crispy, remove it from the air fryer. Let it cool completely on a plate or tray; this step helps the granola become crunchier as it sets.
- Add Dried Fruit: After the granola has cooled, stir in your dried fruit of choice for added sweetness and texture, if desired.
- Store and Serve: Store the cooled granola in an airtight container for up to two weeks. Enjoy it as a delicious snack, mixed into yogurt, or with milk for breakfast.
Notes
- You can substitute rolled oats with quick oats or quinoa flakes depending on your preference.
- Choose protein powder based on dietary needs, including whey, plant-based, or collagen peptides.
- Nut butters and sweeteners can be swapped according to taste or dietary restrictions.
- If you prefer a nut-free version, use pumpkin or sunflower seeds in place of nuts.
- Shaking the granola halfway during air frying ensures even toasting and prevents burning.
- Allow the granola to cool completely to maximize crunchiness before storing.
- Store granola in an airtight container to maintain freshness and crisp texture for up to two weeks.
- Prep Time: 7 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Snack
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: American