Homemade Granola

I used to love helping Mom make granola when I was a kid. She always got out the BIG bowl because she made such a big batch. I remember helping her mix it using my hands, and then getting to lick the sticky sugar off of my fingers afterwards.

As an adult I still love granola, but for a different reason. I love that it is a quick and easy breakfast on the mornings that I work. I add some homemade yogurt and fruit and I have a delicious breakfast to power me through the morning. Yum!

This homemade granola is made from real ingredients and tastes so much better than the granola you can buy at the store. It is easy to customize and you can add whatever mix-ins you want to this recipe. We will now go through how easy it is to make at home!

Note: This article may contain affiliate links, where I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases with no additional cost to you. I only provide links to products that I use personally and recommend highly.

Ingredients

The best thing about this granola is that you can customize it however you want! Let’s go through the ingredients now:

Oats – I use regular rolled oats. These have more fiber than quick oats and they hold up better in the granola.

Sweetener – Some type of sweetener is needed to give the granola a sweet taste. The sweetener has another important job though and that is to help bind the ingredients together.

I use both honey and brown sugar regularly when I make this granola. Honey coats the ingredients better and helps the granola to form large clusters. Brown sugar is easy and inexpensive but you will have smaller clumps and the texture will not be as smooth. You can also try real maple syrup or a different sweetener if you prefer.

Oil – Oil is needed to help make the granola crunchy. I usually use olive oil but you can also use coconut oil, canola oil, or whatever you like.

Flavorings – I usually use vanilla but you can also try adding different spices such as cinnamon or nutmeg.

Salt – A little salt is needed to balance the sweetness and bring out the flavor of the granola. I use table salt but use whatever you like.

Nuts – Nuts give the granola a good crunch. They also contain protein and healthy fats which can help you feel full. I use walnuts but pecans or almonds would also be good choices.

Mix-ins – You can add up to a cup of mix-ins to this granola. My favorite mix-ins are flax seeds and shredded coconut. I love the way the coconut browns in the oven. Yum! Here are some other ideas:

If you are adding in dried fruit or chocolate add it after the granola is done cooking and has cooled completely. This is so the fruit does not burn and the chocolate does not melt.

Now that we know what goes in our granola, let’s find out how to make it!

Process

Step 1: Mix the Ingredients Together

Measure all of the ingredients into a large bowl. If you are using dried fruit or chocolate for any of your mix-ins, set them aside for when the granola is done cooking.

Stir all the ingredients together until thoroughly combined. It may be easier to mix if you use your hands. Then pour the granola out onto a greased baking sheet. Jiggle the pan a little to help it spread into a nice even layer. Pat the granola down firmly with your hands. It is now ready to go in the oven!

Step 2: Bake the Granola

Bake the granola at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown. You can stir the granola halfway through if you like. I do not stir mine and it turns out okay. Just make sure you watch it carefully so it does not get too dark around the edges.

When the granola is done baking set it aside to cool completely without stirring. This will help to form larger chunks.

Step 3: Stir and add in Mix-Ins

When the granola has cooled completely, gently stir it and break it into large pieces. Also add in any chocolate or dried fruit. Then transfer the granola to an airtight container for storage.

This recipe makes about 8 cups of granola, which fits perfectly in two mason jars. I use these lids (affiliate link) and they work great!

Serve

Serve your granola with milk or on top of homemade yogurt for a quick breakfast. It is also good sprinkled on fruit or ice cream. Yum!

Related: How to Make Homemade Yogurt

Tips for Chunky Granola

Do you love granola that forms crunchy clusters? Me too! Here are some tips to help you get maximum chunkage:

• Use honey instead of brown sugar as a sweetener. This will help the oats stick together better.
• Do not add too many mix-ins. If you add more than a cup of mix-ins before baking the sugar and oil will not be able to bind everything together properly.
• Pat the granola firmly into the pan before baking and do not stir as it cooks. This will help it form one large sheet of granola. Watch it carefully so it does not get too brown while it is baking.
• Do not stir the granola until it has cooled completely. The sugar needs to harden before you stir it to form clusters.

There you have it! You are on your way to beautiful large chunks of crunchy granola. Add new mix-ins and make it different each time. Hope you get to try this granola recipe soon! Happy Cooking!

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