Homemade Granola: You’ve Been Warned
A quick warning: if you think you love cereal that comes from a box on the shelf and if you do not wish to be convinced otherwise, this is not the post for you. Come back tomorrow for a post that might make you drool, but at least it won’t put your relationship with your morning cereal in serious jeopardy.
Wow, you’re still reading? Well, you my friend, are brave. You might think I’m exaggerating. But I assure you that this granola is that good. My own break-up story with boxed cereal began this summer, when I uncharacteristically ordered yogurt and granola when we were at one of our favorite breakfast places (Vella Cafe, which is conveniently—and dangerously—located steps from our front door). Vella’s parfait featured a local granola that is somewhat of a Chicago celebrity: Milk and Honey Granola.
While I still don’t think any version of granola that I’ve concocted at home is quite as good Milk and Honey’s version, they’ve all been close. I’ve tried several different recipes, which—generally speaking—all contain some combination of oats (and sometimes coconut, wheat germ or bran); mixed nuts, fruits and seeds; at least one sweetener (sugar, honey, maple syrup); flavorings (like cinnamon or vanilla) and at least one fat (typically, a neutral vegetable oil like canola). Once I realized that the recipes were basically variations of the same theme, I created a recipe of my own that I adore.
More than the fact that homemade granola is endlessly customizable, I love that granola is a stunning example of the sum completely transcending its parts. And it will make your house smell unbelievably good and turn your breakfast into an exciting event. This granola is even special enough to package up in a beautiful bag or jar and ship across the country as a gift or unexpected treat. Tell me the last time you did that with your “favorite” boxed cereal.
(Click “more” for additional photos and the recipe)
Granola
3 1/2 cups rolled oats
1/2 cup coconut flakes, unsweeteend
3 tablespoons flax seeds
3 tablespoons sesame seeds
1/4 cup sunflower or pumpkin seeds
1/2 cup toasted mixed nuts, chopped (I used pistachios and almonds here)
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1 teaspoon sea salt
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup canola oil
2 tablespoons honey
1 tablespoon pure maple syrup
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
2 cups mixed dried fruit (I used raisins and dried cherries and cranberries here)
Preheat the oven to 375. Line a rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil. In a large bowl, combine all the ingredients except the dried fruit. Stir well to incorporate.
Spread the mixture on the prepared baking sheet, spreading it out into an even layer. Bake for 20 to 30 minutes (depending on the depth of goldenness you’re looking for), stirring every 10 minutes.
Remove the granola from the oven and and cool completely, in its pan, on a wire wrack. Once the granola is cool, mix in the dried fruit.
Monica replied:
I’ve been dabbling with home-made granola since summer too but mine is a little more basic. I will DEFINITELY try yours. Thanks for the post!
January 4, 2008 at 5:10 pm. Permalink.
ourkitchensink replied:
Monica: You’re welcome! I hope you do try this — and let me know how it goes!
January 4, 2008 at 5:28 pm. Permalink.
JEP replied:
Oh, I really do like granolas! Especially with Fage yogurt. I will try your original recipe as it matches my preferences pretty darn closely!
January 4, 2008 at 7:14 pm. Permalink.
ourkitchensink replied:
JEP: Couldn’t agree more about the Fage — that’s the lovely white cloud in the top photo. If you do try this recipe out, let me know what you think!
January 4, 2008 at 7:21 pm. Permalink.
Katelyn replied:
This granola looks AMAZING! And since I’ve already ruined my relationship with boxed cereals through some granola-making of my own, I will DEFINITELY be trying yours.
January 5, 2008 at 12:07 pm. Permalink.
ourkitchensink replied:
Katelyn: Thanks! And thanks too for blogrolling me!
January 5, 2008 at 3:06 pm. Permalink.
Hillary replied:
Granola is the best! I even wrote an article about my favorite homemade granola recipes here: http://www.recipe4living.com/Common/Article.aspx?id=58314
Thanks for sharing yours!”>http://www.recipe4living.com/Common/Article.aspx?id=58314
Thanks for sharing yours!
January 7, 2008 at 12:26 pm. Permalink.
Monica replied:
I made it and it is delicious!!!! So much better than my recipe. The only thing I wish I had done was taken the time to buy better dried fruit (I was lazy and just bought a dried fruit mix - ugh, they still make prunes?!?). Next time b/c this batch will be gone soon.
Thank you for sharing your recipe!
January 25, 2008 at 3:05 am. Permalink.
ourkitchensink replied:
Monica: Wonderful! I can’t tell you how nice it is to get feedback on recipes that are my own creation. I always kinda wonder if I’m the only one who thinks they’re delicious. Thanks for reporting back!
January 25, 2008 at 5:32 pm. Permalink.
karen (Pediascribe) replied:
Did a google search for “homemade granola” and found this! I have everything in my kitchen and I’m off to make it now. Except I’m leaving out coconut (shudder)
April 9, 2008 at 1:45 pm. Permalink.
karen (Pediascribe) replied:
OH MY GOSH! The problem is, I hardly have ANY to store. It was devoured immediately! Plus I used it to put in our parfaits for tonight’s snack.
http://www.pediascribe.com/20080310/am-i-making-you-hungry/
April 9, 2008 at 5:33 pm. Permalink.
Penny replied:
Any suggestions for leaving out the dried fruit? Maybe some dark chocolate?
April 18, 2008 at 12:39 pm. Permalink.
Leora replied:
Won’t it burn - or come very near it - at 375, before being cooked all the way? I’m scared to try it. Would it work cooked longer at a lower temp, d’ya think? thanks! sounds yummy!!!
May 5, 2008 at 2:49 pm. Permalink.
Kristin at The Kitchen Sink replied:
Leora: I’ve baked mine a zillion times at 375 and never had a problem. If you’re worried, you could start checking on it after 10 minutes. And I’m sure cooking longer at a lower temperature would work as well. Let us know how it goes!
May 5, 2008 at 4:22 pm. Permalink.
Dina replied:
Yummy! This came out better than I expected and was very easy. I made a few changes based on items that I had in the house. I used chopped walnuts and vegetable oil. I omitted the coconut and sesame seeds.
June 15, 2008 at 4:08 pm. Permalink.