Making your own granola at home is not only cost-effective but also allows you to control the ingredients and customize the flavors to your liking. Here’s a simple and economical recipe for homemade granola that’s perfect for breakfast, snacks, or as a topping for yogurt and smoothie bowls.
Basic Homemade Granola Recipe
Ingredients:
- 3 cups rolled oats
- 1 cup nuts and seeds (such as almonds, walnuts, sunflower seeds, or pumpkin seeds)
- 1/2 cup shredded coconut (optional)
- 1/2 cup dried fruit (such as raisins, cranberries, or chopped apricots)
- 1/2 cup honey or maple syrup
- 1/3 cup coconut oil or olive oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional)
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the rolled oats, nuts, seeds, and shredded coconut (if using).
- In a small saucepan over low heat, melt the coconut oil (or olive oil) and honey (or maple syrup) together. Stir in the vanilla extract and salt. Add the ground cinnamon if you like a hint of spice.
- Pour the wet mixture over the dry ingredients and mix well until everything is evenly coated.
- Spread the granola mixture evenly on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, stirring halfway through, until the granola is golden brown and crisp. Keep an eye on it to prevent burning.
- Remove from the oven and let it cool completely on the baking sheet. The granola will continue to crisp up as it cools.
- Once cooled, stir in the dried fruit.
Storage: Store the homemade granola in an airtight container at room temperature. It will stay fresh for up to 2 weeks.
Tips for Customizing Your Granola
- Sweeteners: If you prefer a less sweet granola, reduce the amount of honey or maple syrup. You can also experiment with other sweeteners like agave nectar or brown rice syrup.
- Add-Ins: Feel free to add other mix-ins like chocolate chips, flaxseeds, chia seeds, or even spices like nutmeg and cardamom for a unique flavor twist.
- Fruit-Free: If you’re not a fan of dried fruit, you can omit it entirely or replace it with additional nuts and seeds.
- Flavor Variations:
- Chocolate Granola: Add 1/4 cup of cocoa powder to the dry ingredients and 1/4 cup of mini chocolate chips after baking.
- Tropical Granola: Use dried pineapple and mango instead of traditional dried fruits and add a tablespoon of coconut flakes.
- Nut-Free Granola: Replace the nuts with additional seeds, such as sunflower or pumpkin seeds, to keep the granola nut-free.
Making homemade granola is an easy way to enjoy a healthy, delicious snack while saving money. You can tailor it to suit your dietary preferences and enjoy it with yogurt, milk, or simply as a crunchy snack on its own.