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For a while there, I was addicted to granola. As in, I probably needed a support group.
It was serious.
I’m mean, what’s not to love? Oats. Almonds. Honey. Vanilla. Various other seriously tasty nuts. It’s perfect for breakfast. It’s wonderful sprinkled over yogurt. Or even ice cream.
Plus each time I make it, the combination of ingredients is a little different, based on what I have in the house, so it’s like a brand new recipe each time.
YUM!
And, it’s easy. Mix, bake and stir. That’s. It.
Homemade Granola
- 3-1/2 cups old fashioned oats (not quick oats)
- 1/2 cup sunflowers
- 1/2 cup nuts (almonds, walnuts, or even peanuts)
- 3/4 tablespoon cinnamon
- 1/4 cup oil (melted butter, canola oil or coconut oil)
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1/6 cup water
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
The measurements are approximate. If you like more nuts, and less oats, adjust as needed. The recipe is pretty forgiving, so if you have a little more or a little less dry ingredients, the final product will still turn out wonderful.
Preheat oven to 350º.
In a large bowl, mix dry ingredients together. In a small bowl, mix wet ingredients. Add to dry ingredients and mix until everything is covered. Spread on a 9×13 pan, or a cookie sheet with sides.
Bake for 10 minutes. The stir, making sure that the ingredients on the edges of the pan are moved to the middle and the ingredients in the middle of the pan are moved to the edges. This ensures that everything cooks evenly, and nothing ends up burnt.
Stir every 5 minutes until the ingredients reach a golden brown color. For my oven that is about 20-25 minutes total.
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From left: raw ingredients, 10 minutes, 5 minutes, 5 minutes, 5 minutes and finished
Once cool, store in an air tight container (large freezer bags work perfectly).
Optional add ins after baking:
- Ground or whole flax seeds
- Wheat germ
- Dried fruit
- Chocolate chips – oh yes, mix these in as soon as you take the pan out of the oven, so they get all melty and clump up the granola. So. Good. (pictured above)
Meal Plan
Toddler Lunches
Monday: Peanut butter and banana grilled sandwiches (Wholesome Toddler Food)
Tuesday: Pasta Salad with veggies and low fat Italian dressing
Wednesday: It’s toddler movie day at the local theater, which means pop corn for lunch
Thursday: Bagels with peanut butter, honey and raisins
Friday: Homemade crackers, hummus, cheese and carrots
Saturday: Chicken Nuggets and peas
Sunday: Leftovers
Dinner
Monday: Leftover buffet
Tuesday: Chicken, spinach and Parmesan hot pockets (In Good Cents)
Wednesday: Tomato and Garlic Soup (Aldi)
Thursday: Egg bake – recipe from my mom
Friday: Taking the kiddo out for a Mom-and-Me dinner
Saturday: Pizza with my beer batter pizza dough and homemade sauce (AllRecipes.com)
Sunday: Leftover pizza
I’ll also be putting together some of my Super Energy Granola Bars, Crackers and Graham Crackers, and Wheat Germ, Flax Seed Bread.
This post is proudly linked up to Mouthwatering Mondays, Tuesdays and the Table, Tempt My Tummy Tuesday, Tasty Tuesday, It’s a Blog Party and What’s On the Menu Wednesday.
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{ 21 comments… read them below or add one }
Ok, I think you officially changed my craving from mozzarella sticks to granola, you culinary temptress you!!!
@Muthering Heights, Oh don’t give up on the mozzarella sticks! Hmmm, I may need to come up with a recipe for those too. Now I’m craving them.
Ex-granola addict here, too. This one sounds almost delicious enough to de-rail from the wagon. I have mad granola love.
@TheKitchenWitch, Yea, you should totally try it. I’d love to know what you think.
I love a good granola – with yogurt, it’s divine. And it keeps me full for the entire morning, which is nice, compared to just regular cereal. This recipe seems really doable as it isn’t as scary as ones with a laundry list of ingredients. Now I’m REALLY hungry.
@Justine, It is pretty easy. You can always add to it too. Each time I make it, it’s a little bit different.
delicious meal plan and that granola looks to die for!
I am making another triple batch of my own homemade granola today! We are QUITE addicted to it and it makes great gifts for friends and neighbors!
I use applesauce in mine but a friend told me to also try coconut oil, she said it adds a lovely flavor to it
LOVE granola!
(trick to mozzarella sticks: freeze the cheeze just to firm then once they’re breaded.. chill them a bit.. keeps the cheese from exploding)
@Rachel ~ Southern Fairytale, Oh, thank you for the mozzarella sticks hint. I was just about to go looking for a recipe to try.
And thanks for stopping by!
Oooh! I love granola. And your recipe looks wonderful – nice and healthy even! It’s been awhile since I made homemade granola, and I think it’s time!
@Deb Chitwood @ Living Montessori Now, That’s what I love about making it at home, I can control how healthy it is. Plus, I know exactly what I’m eating.
I’m still trying to get my granola right…I enjoy practicing though. It’s a great snack! I tend to burn it because I forget to stir…
@Amy Walker, It’s so easy to burn isn’t it? Just a minute or two too long, or not stirring it well. Somehow it’s still pretty tasty though. Or is that just me?
Homemade granola is the best! When I make it I don’t tell my kids, so that I get to eat more of it. I really do need to learn to share
@Kristen, Ha! I do that when I buy chocolate. There’s no way I’m sharing that!
FANTASTIC! I have google searched recipes for granola so many times because we go through SO much and yours is the first recipe that sounds so easy to make.
Will def. be doing this today!
@debi9kids, Oh good! Let me know how it turns out.
Stopping by from Menu Plan Monday. Wow, that looks delish! My hubby just asked me the other day to make another batch of granola and I seriously cannot find the recipe I used last time. Perfect timing, thanks!
@Sela, I’m so glad you stopped by. Let me know how it turns out.
Your granola recipe looks wonderful! I am ready for my own obsession!
Looks super tasty!
Thanks for linking up!
~Liz
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