Chewy Maple Oat Clusters Recipe π
Overview:
Enjoy the delightful blend of oats, nuts, and maple syrup in these Chewy Maple Oat Clusters, perfect for dessert or a satisfying snack. With a prep time of just 10 minutes and a total cooking time of 1 hour and 40 minutes, this recipe yields approximately 12 servings. Each serving packs in about 330.7 calories and provides a wholesome mix of carbohydrates, fiber, and protein.
Ingredients:
Here’s what you’ll need to gather:
| Ingredients | Quantities |
|---|---|
| Old-fashioned oats | 1 1/2 cups |
| Peanuts | 1 cup |
| Sunflower seeds | 1 cup |
| Raisins | 1/4 cup |
| Butter | 1/4 cup |
| Pure maple syrup | 1/2 cup |
| Crisp rice cereal | 1/2 cup |
| Bran flakes | 1 cup |
| Almonds/nuts (optional) | 1/4 cup |
| Dried fruit (optional) | 1 1/2 cups |
Instructions:
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Preheat Oven: Begin by preheating your oven to 325Β°F (approximately 163Β°C). This ensures that your oven is ready for baking once the ingredients are prepared.
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Prepare Baking Pan: Take a 13 x 9-inch baking pan and spread the rolled oats evenly across it. This sets the foundation for your chewy clusters.
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Bake Oats: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake the oats for 20 to 30 minutes, or until they turn a light golden brown. Remember to stir occasionally to ensure even toasting.
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Add Cereal and Nuts: Once the oats are toasted, stir in the crisp rice cereal, bran flakes, and almonds or nuts if you’re using them. Continue baking for an additional 14 to 16 minutes until everything is lightly toasted.
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Incorporate Raisins and Fruit: Remove the pan from the oven and stir in the raisins and dried fruit. This adds a burst of sweetness and chewiness to your clusters.
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Prepare Syrup Mixture: In a small bowl, mix together the butter and pure maple syrup until well combined. This creates a luscious coating for your oat mixture.
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Coat Mixture: Pour the syrup mixture over the cereal and fruit mixture in the baking pan. Stir well to ensure that all the ingredients are evenly coated.
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Final Baking: Return the pan to the oven and continue baking, stirring occasionally, for another 45 to 50 minutes. You’ll know it’s done when the mixture clumps together and achieves a golden brown color.
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Cool and Serve: Once baked to perfection, spread the mixture onto waxed paper to cool. Allow it to cool completely before breaking it into irresistible clusters.
Serving Suggestions:
Serve these Chewy Maple Oat Clusters as a standalone snack, or sprinkle them over yogurt or ice cream for a delightful crunch. They also make for a tasty addition to trail mix or a nutritious topping for oatmeal or smoothie bowls.
Enjoy Your Homemade Chewy Maple Oat Clusters! π
