Simple Granola
approximately 9 cups
Ingredients:
8 cups oats
1 cup chopped nuts
4 tbsp cinnamon
1 tsp salt
1/4 cup honey
2 tbsp vanilla extract
1/8 cup canola oil (or any oil)
1 tsp brown sugar (optional)
Cooking spray
Directions:
Preheat oven to 300°F. Combine the oats, nuts, cinnamon, and salt in one bowl and mix together. Set aside. Next, combine the honey, vanilla, and canola oil together in a small bowl. Warm that bowl in the microwave for about 30 seconds (if you prefer, do it over the stovetop in a small pot). Warming it helps coat the oatmeal more, rather than the honey creating too many clumps. Mix the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, and be sure to mix together well. Spread the mixture onto two baking sheets lined with foil or parchment paper, and lightly spray with cooking spray. If you like, drizzle some honey and sprinkle some brown sugar on top. Bake for about 10 minutes, then stir a bit, and place back in the oven for another 10 minutes. Remove from oven and allow to cool completely; then, transfer to a container for storage.
I make big batches since I have a lot of mouths to feed, but if your family is smaller than ours, you might not need as much. Also, if you have nut allergies, this tastes just fine without nuts in it. In fact, I make two batches, one with nuts, and one without (for True).
The girls have been devouring it with milk every morning, and I like using it to top my plain yogurt with it (with berries!). The first time I made it, Ben kept having spoonfuls and I had to remind him to leave some for the girls. It’s mildly sweet, but if you need more sweetness, just add more honey. There’s so many other ways to change this recipe up. We want to get some sunflower seeds and put that in, or maybe even add raisins. If you’ve made granola, what other ingredients do you suggest putting in?
Unsweetened coconut!
Surprisingly, we aren’t coconut fans. I like it in a drink and in cake, but that’s about it.
Unsweetened coconut!
Unsweetened coconut!
I have been putting coconut, flax, quinoa and a bit of ground flax (adds a nice texture). Oh, and sometimes we like to add cashews when we feel fancy 🙂 The flax and quinoa sound weird, I know – but once they toast up in the oven they add an addictive crunchiness to the mix. Love it.
I was thinking about quinoa, so I’m glad it’s been done. I’m going to try that too!
I saw a photo of this granola on your Instagram this morning and had to come check it out! I’m an absolute sucker for anything granola. I’ve been using gluten-free oats in my baking recently which makes anything oat-related easier on my tummy. Thank you for this recipe, can’t wait to try it out!
Circus & Bloom
♥♥♥
If you made it, I hope you like it!
Mini chocolate chips, craisins, banana. Those are family favs to add in with the milk
Did someone say chocolate chips?!! Yes, please!
Yum! I like to add millet, coconut, rice crispies, Chia and flax seeds. After I bake it I like to add dried cherries or raisins. Have you tried muesli? It’s basically all the components of granola (other than the added fat and sugar) just toasted. Then you soak it overnight in milk and add sweetner.
I tried muesli at my MIL’s and it’s so good! She made cookies with it and we loved it!
I am also a passionate granola eater/maker. I love adding sesame seeds to mine, as well as pumpkin and sunflower seeds. Such a great and easy way to start the day. I definitely do not like to start the day making a mess in my kitchen-
that comes soon enough…
I don’t like a mess in the morning either!
yum! looks delish!
xx nikki
http://www.dream-in-neon.com
Yum! I LOVE the pictures. We’re big granola fans and I have a recipe we’ve been making for close to three years now, after a friend gave me a batch of it when we went to their house for dinner. It was so thoughtful, and I immediately got her recipe! I use quite a bit more coconut oil and honey, but it makes it really amazingly crunchy. I also bake it a bit more or higher, until it’s a pretty dark brown. We use unsweetened coconut, sunflower seeds (not too much or it really takes over the flavor), chopped almonds or pecans, pumpkin seeds if I have them, and a tablespoon or so of sesame seeds. Dried currants are yummy mixed in afterward…and I add vanilla and cinnamon or any mix of spices, like gingerbread or pumpkin spice type of flavors. I made a batch this week so this makes me want a bowl! It’s my husband’s favorite snack too. Does Ben eat his special oatmeal every morning or does he enjoy this too?
Ben eats his same oatmeal every single morning. LOL
Good idea on the pumpkin spice flavors… that’s next on the granola making agenda!
flax seeds, sesame seeds, pumpkin and sunflower seeds
dried cranberries and goji berries
Tried the sunflower seeds and all of us love it, but True! Will try the flax seeds in it too next time.