This Soaked Oat Granola is one of my favorite things to eat for breakfast, and everyone in the family enjoys it. It’s perfect for those busy mornings when we’re all is rushing to get out the door!
I will admit that this recipe takes a bit more time due to soaking and drying the oats. But most of that is hands-off time. And it’s definitely worth it when you learn about the benefits of soaking grains, nuts, and seeds!
“Soaking” is a traditional method of preparing grains used by our ancestors to make the grains easier to digest. The process involves soaking the oats in water and an acidic substance (apple cider vinegar, lemon juice, or whey) for 12-24 hours before cooking.
Why Should I Soak my Oats?
All plant seeds naturally contain substances called anti-nutrients. Anti-nutrients protect the plant from predators, and also prevent the seed from sprouting too soon. But they also interfere with our ability to digest vitamins and minerals within the seeds.
Phytic acid, one of the best known anti-nutrients, can prevent our bodies from absorbing calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, and zinc. By soaking the oats, we inhibit the phytic acid and other enzyme inhibitors present in the seed.
THE BENEFITS OF SOAKING INCLUDE:
- increases the protein, vitamins, and fiber in the oats.
- makes the oats easier to digest.
- helps our body to absorb minerals in the oats.
- provides anti-cancer benefits.
- lowers the calorie content.
- reduces allergens.
- makes the oats more alkalizing.
Don’t use instant or “quick-cooking” oats for this recipe, they don’t stand up well to soaking. I use these oats, they aren’t organic but they are non-GMO.
These organic oats would also work well.
Note: Oats are low in the enzyme phytase, needed to neutralize the phytic acid. So adding 2 tablespoons of wheat flour to your oats when soaking helps reduce the phytic acid.
Serve this Soaked Oat Granola over yogurt or with milk. Add fresh fruit if desired. I hope you enjoy it as much as we do inshAllah!
Soaked Oat Granola
Ingredients
For the Soaked Oats:
- 7-8 cups oats (not quick-cooking or instant)
- 2 tablespoons apply cider vinegar, lemon juice, or whey
- 2 tablespoons whole wheat flour* (or buckwheat for gluten free)
For the Granola:
- 6 cups previously soaked and dehydrated oats
- 1 cup nuts of choice, crushed we like to use walnuts and almonds
- 1 cup coconut flakes
- 1/2 cups seeds of choice (optional) such as chia seeds, flax seeds, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds
- 1/2 teaspoon natural salt
- 6 tablespoons coconut oil or butter, melted
- 6 tablespoons liquid sweetener of choice such as honey, pure maple syrup, or date syrup
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
Instructions
First we soak and dehydrate the oats:
- Put the oats in a large bowl and cover with filterer water. Add the vinegar and flour. Mix well, cover the bowl, and soak the oats for 12-24 hours at room temperature (NOT in the fridge!).
- Drain and rinse the oats. Dry them in a dehydrator or in your oven at lowest temp, spread out in a very thin layer on a large baking pan. Break apart the dried oats into smaller pieces.
To Make the Granola:
- After soaking and dehydrating the oats, you should have about 6 cups. In a very large bowl, combine all dry ingredients.
- In a small bowl, combine the melted oil, sweetener and vanilla. Add this mixture to your dry ingredients and mix very well with clean hands.
- Spread the granola onto 2 large baking pans in a thin layer, and bake for about 10 minutes at 325°F (165°C). Stir, and continue baking for a few more minutes just until golden brown. The granola will continue to crisp up as it cools down. Store in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks.
Sounds so yum .. I will definitely try this for breakfast this week.. Good to know Hana oats is a good option.
Jazakallah alf khair!
Wa eeyaki, I hope you love it!
can I use steel cut oats
Sorry I’m not sure, I haven’t tried this recipe with steel cut oats.
its okay thank you
You’re welcome!
Can you soak steel cut oats the same way you did
Yes sure you can, it will just take a bit longer to cook after soaking.
I don’t want to use all the oats but I soaked them all so what can I do
You could make a porridge from them.
How long do you dehydrate the oats?
It’s going to depend on the temperature of your oven or dehydrator, in my dehydrator it takes about 12 hours.
Would it be fine if I just soak the rolled oats directly in milk and Greek yogurt, the way most recipes call for….or that won’t give the desired benefit? My kids love overnight oats but those ones are quick and easy to make
Yes it’s ok, as long as the yogurt contains live and active cultures
Are the Hanaa (the pic on this page) oats not good to use?
Yes they are ok to use. They aren’t organic, but they are non-GMO.