Granola is a staple in my house; it’s eaten for breakfast, snacks and on yogurt. But have you seen the price tag of store bought granola lately? I refuse to spend $5 for a 8oz bag, when this recipe is just as good and quite easy to make. I’m sharing my updated recipe for a simple granola that can easily be adapted for your own own tastes or diet restrictions. You can half this recipe very easily too, we are a family of 5 and this will last about 2 weeks.
- 1 extra large microwave safe glass bowl,1 large rubber spatula, 2 rimmed baking sheets,parchment paper
- 2 cups of brown sugar
- 3/4 cup water
- 3 tsp vanilla
- 1/2 tsp kosher or sea salt
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 8 cups of rolled oats
- 2 cups of chopped nuts of your choice (we used walnuts)
- 2 cups shredded coconut (sweetened or unsweetened)
- 2 cups of dried fruit of choice (we used raisins and cranberries)
Preheat oven to 250 degrees, line baking sheets with parchment.
In your LARGE glass bowl add water and brown sugar, microwave for 4-6 minutes until sugar has dissolved, stir every 2 minutes
Carefully remove bowl and add vanilla, honey and salt, STIR. Add oats, cinnamon, nuts and coconut, fold evenly until all the oats are coated. Split mixture between 2 baking sheets (do not grease parchment) and bake for 50 minutes. Remove from oven and immediately mix in dried fruit and place back in oven for 5-7 minutes. Remove from oven again, let cool for 5 minutes and transfer to tight fitting containers or storage bags.
Easily add ground flaxseed, wheatgerm, millet or pure maple syrup instead of honey to up the nutritional content. For a more clustered effect, increase the the sugar/water mixture and DON’T blend in the dried fruit; add it after the granola has fully baked and cooled. Break up the cooled granola and just sprinkle in the fruits of choice.
How do you like your granola? What ingredients would you add?
Enjoy!
