Homemade granola is so easy to make and it makes such a lovely, quick breakfast or snack on the go. Granola is customizable and versatile, so everyone can enjoy their own perfect concoction! I personally don’t like raisins, so I just omit them and add dried blueberries and dried cranberries instead. You can add whatever you like, which is the beautiful thing about granola. I highly encourage you to try making your favorite version today! 🙂
INGREDIENTS
- old-fashioned rolled oats
- raw nuts and/or seeds – I used a combination of pumpkin seeds, whole pecans, and sliced almonds
- dried fruit – dried blueberries and dried cranberries made it into this one!
- maple syrup or honey
- brown sugar
- coconut oil or extra virgin olive oil – I love the subtle coconut flavor coconut oil adds!
- vanilla extract
- salt
- ground cinnamon
- optional: chia seeds
Other mix-in ideas or substitutes you can try:
- nuts/seeds: walnut, cashews, sunflower seeds, pistachios, peanuts, macadamia nuts, sesame seeds, flax seeds
- dried fruit: raisins, dried cherries, banana chips, dried apple slices, dried mango, dried pineapple, unsweetened coconut flakes
- spices: ground ginger, pumpkin spice seasoning, chai spice seasoning
- chocolate chips or peanut butter chips
HOW TO MAKE GRANOLA
- In a large bowl, combine oats, nuts, seeds, salt, and cinnamon. In a separate bowl, combine maple syrup, brown sugar, vanilla, and oil. Add wet mixture to oats. Mix well using a wooden spoon or rubber spatula.
2. Transfer granola to prepared baking sheet. Spread into an even, thin layer in the middle and have the edges slightly thicker. (This will prevent the outer edges from burning since they cook faster.) For clumpy granola, press granola down so the pieces stick together.
3. Bake for 45 minutes to 1 hour on the middle rack. Do not stir! Stirring will break up the granola into smaller pieces and you’ll have fewer clusters. If you prefer less clumpy granola (i.e. more cereal-like), stir granola halfway into baking.
Let granola cool completely. Granola will continue to harden and crisp up as it cools.
4. Break up granola using your hands or a metal spatula. Mix in dried fruit and any other add-ins of your choice, such as chia seeds, coconut flakes, or chocolate chips.
Granola Clusters
Ingredients
- 4 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
- 2 ½ cups raw nuts or seeds (½ cup pumpkin seeds, 1 cup pecans, 1 cup almonds)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- ½ cup maple syrup
- ¼ cup brown sugar packed
- ½ cup coconut oil or olive oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup dried fruit (½ cup dried blueberries, ½ cup dried cranberries)
- 2 tablespoons chia seeds or flax seed optional
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 300℉. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, combine oats, nuts, seeds, salt, and cinnamon.
- In a separate bowl, combine maple syrup, brown sugar, vanilla, and oil. Add wet mixture to oats. Mix well.
- Transfer granola to baking sheet. Spread into an even, thin layer in the middle and have the edges slightly thicker. (This will prevent the outer edges from burning since they cook faster.) For clumpy granola, press granola down so the pieces stick together.
- On the middle rack, bake for 45 minutes to 1 hour, or until granola is medium brown. Do not stir.
- Let granola cool completely. Granola will continue to harden and crisp up as it cools.
- Break up granola using your hands or a metal spatula. Mix in dried fruit and any other add-ins of your choice, such as chia seeds, coconut flakes, or chocolate chips.
Notes
- Make sure to add any dried fruit or chocolate chips AFTER baking
- If the coconut oil is solid, microwave for 30 seconds before use
- If you prefer granola that is less clumpy, stir granola after 30 minutes of baking and then return to oven to finish baking
- Store in air-tight container for up to 2 weeks
- Other Mix-in ideas or substitutes you can try:
- nuts/seeds: walnut, cashews, sunflower seeds, pistachios, peanuts, macadamia nuts, sesame seeds, flax seeds
- dried fruit: raisins, dried cherries, banana chips, dried apple slices, dried mango, dried pineapple, unsweetened coconut flakes
- spices: ground ginger, pumpkin spice seasoning, chai spice seasoning
- chocolate chips or peanut butter chips
