Homemade Granola

We really enjoy eating oatmeal in the mornings and this winter I've been making large batches of steal cut oats in the crock pot. With summer fast approaching, I find that warm oatmeal doesn't sound as appealing, so this week I made a batch of granola that seems to be both delicious and healthy!


Recipe for Simple Granola
From Too Many Cooks: Kitchen Adventures with 1 Mom, 4 Kids, and 102 Recipes

Note: measure oil first – this way the honey will slide out easily and make for simple clean-up.
3/4 cup canola oil
3/4 cup honey
Big splash vanilla extract
1 teaspoon brown sugar
5 1/2 cups rolled oats (not the quick cooking ones)
3 cups bran bud (Grape Nuts or something similar)
+/- handfuls of dried fruit (golden and brown raisins, cranberries, blueberries, chopped
apricots, dates, etc.)
+/- Fruit for layering if making parfait – bananas, apples, grapes, cantaloupe, honeydew

Oven to 300. Heat oil, honey, sugar, and vanilla for about 1 minute in microwave or two minutes on stovetop. In large bowl, mix warm ingredients and add in dry (except for dried fruit). Stir gently until combined.

Pour onto parchment-lined cookie sheet and spread into one layer. Bake for 25ish minutes, shifting/mixing granola a few times. If you need to leave, turn off the oven and it will be fine. If you’re home, take it out.

LET COOL completely before testing or doing anything else to it. The crunch comes only upon cool down. Once cool, add dried fruit if desired or mix into plain yogurt for a healthy lunch. Feel free to add toasted almonds or sunflower seeds if you like.