Description
This Homemade Granola recipe is a delicious and healthy breakfast or snack option made from a blend of rolled oats, nuts, seeds, sweeteners, and natural oils, baked to perfect golden crispiness. It is customizable, easy to prepare, and perfect for serving with yogurt, milk, or as a crunchy topping for smoothie bowls.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 3 cups rolled oats (old-fashioned)
- 1 cup nuts (such as almonds, walnuts, or pecans), roughly chopped
- ½ cup seeds (such as sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds)
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- ⅓ cup honey or maple syrup
- ⅓ cup coconut oil or vegetable oil, melted
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Add-ins (Optional)
- ½ cup dried fruit (such as raisins, cranberries, or chopped apricots)
- ¼ cup shredded coconut
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C) to ensure an even baking temperature for the granola.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the rolled oats, chopped nuts, seeds, ground cinnamon, and salt. Stir until evenly distributed.
- Prepare the Wet Ingredients: In a separate small bowl, whisk together the honey or maple syrup, melted coconut oil, and vanilla extract until fully combined.
- Combine Mixtures: Pour the wet ingredients over the dry ingredients and stir thoroughly, making sure all oat mixture is coated evenly with the liquid mixture.
- Spread on Baking Sheet: Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Spread the granola mixture evenly in a single layer on the sheet.
- Bake the Granola: Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, stirring once halfway through baking to ensure even toasting. Watch closely during the last 5 minutes to avoid burning.
- Add Dried Fruit: After removing the granola from the oven, immediately stir in the dried fruit and shredded coconut if using. This prevents the fruit from drying out or burning.
- Cool Completely: Allow the granola to cool completely on the baking sheet. The granola will crisp up as it cools.
- Store the Granola: Once cooled, transfer granola to an airtight container. Store at room temperature for up to two weeks or freeze for longer freshness.
- Serve: Enjoy your homemade granola with milk, yogurt, or sprinkle it over smoothie bowls for a crunchy, nutritious boost.
Notes
- You can customize this granola by adding other nuts or seeds to your preference.
- For a vegan version, use maple syrup instead of honey.
- Be sure to stir the granola halfway through baking to prevent burning and ensure even toasting.
- Store granola in an airtight container to maintain its crunchiness.
- To make it gluten-free, ensure the oats you use are certified gluten-free.
