Easy Homemade Granola

This simple oven baked granola is filled with oatmeal, pecans, almonds, sunflower seeds, wheat germ, coconut oil, honey and a bit of brown sugar. Homemade granola is perfect sprinkled over yogurt, enjoyed as a snack or grab a bag for and on-the-go breakfast.

Toni at the Happy Housewife really got me motivated with her Bulk Cooking Day. I make several recipes from scratch, but I wanted to do more and her Homemade Granola is first on my list. If you're interested in bulk cooking I highly recommend checking out her post because she has some great ideas.

I made my first batch and followed the recipe exactly as written. When the granola was done It tasted really good but was a bit on the plain side.  Perfect for my kids because they don't like anything extra in their granola. But my husband and I like lots of different extras in our.  

I made a second batch and added a few different things. Brown sugar, almonds, pecans, sunflower seeds and a bit of cinnamon sugar. I mixed it all in with the dry ingredients and then added it to the butter (coconut oil can also be used) and honey mixture. When the granola was finished I could hardly wait to taste it. with the addition of the nuts and brown sugar it gave it a whole new taste.

Next time I might mix in some dried apples or cranberries after the granola cools. This is such an easy recipe to make so I don't think you could mess it up. Just have fun and experiment with some different flavors you never know what you will end up with. Next on the list is her homemade bagels. Let's get started on this simple granola recipe.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a large pot, melt the butter or coconut oil over medium heat. Add the honey and salt and briefly heat with the butter or oil.

In a separate bowl mix together the oatmeal, wheat germ, flax seed, cinnamon (if using)  and nuts.  

Turn off the heat, add the vanilla extract and mix to combine. Add the oatmeal mixture.

Stir until everything is evenly coated.

Pour the mixture onto a lightly greased baking sheet. Spread the mixture out evenly. At this point I usually pat down the mixture so it is firm and flat. This way the granola can be broken into larger pieces after it cools down.

Bake at 350° for 10 - 15 minutes (watch carefully) It will be golden brown in color. Remove from the oven and let cool. I let mine cool on the baking sheet about 10 minutes. Then slide a metal spatula under the granola to loosen it from the bottom just a bit. Let cool about 30 minutes on the baking sheet then break into smaller pieces and store in an airtight container.

Fabulous!!!

Here's a version I made adding cranberries and raisins. I also substituted Hodgson Mill Multi Grain Hot Cereal instead of Wheat Germ. The Wheat Germ is very pricey. I got the Hodgson Mills for $1.99 a box and it had wheat germ, flax seed and whole grain wheat bran. So until I can buy the wheat germ in bulk this is what i will be using.

Yield: 8

Author: Tina Butler | Mommy's Kitchen

Easy Homemade Granola

This simple oven baked granola is filled with oatmeal, pecans, almonds, sunflower seeds, wheat germ, coconut oil, honey and a bit of brown sugar. Homemade granola is perfect sprinkled over yogurt or to enjoy as a snack or breakfast on-the-go.

Prep time: 15 MinCook time: 15 MinTotal time: 30 Min

Ingredients

• 3  1/2 - cups uncooked old fashioned oats 
• 1/2  cup coconut oil or butter (I prefer coconut oil)
• 1/2  cup honey
• 1  teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4  teaspoon salt
• 1/8  teaspoon cinnamon, optional
• 1/2  cup wheat germ
• 2  tablespoons ground flax seed
• 1/2 to  3/4 cup almond pieces
• 1/2 to  3/4 cup pecan pieces
• 1/4  cup sunflower seeds
• 1/2 to 3/4  cup dried cranberries or other dried fruit (optional)
• 1/2  cup raisins, optional

Instructions

1. Melt the butter or coconut oil in a 3 - quart saucepan over medium heat. Add the honey and salt and briefly heat with the butter or coconut oil until foamy and bubbly.
2. In a separate bowl mix together the oatmeal, wheat germ, nuts, flax seed and cinnamon if using.
3. Turn off the heat add the vanilla extract and then add the oatmeal mixture. Stir until everything is coated. Pour the oatmeal mixture onto a lightly greased baking sheet.
4. Spread the mixture out evenly and pat down. Bake it at 350° for 10 - 15 minutes (watch carefully) It will be a golden brown color. Remove from the oven and let cool for about 10 minutes.
5. After 10 minutes using a spatula or flipper slide it under the granola to loosen it a bit so it does not stick.
6. Let the mixture cool on the baking sheet about 30 minutes then break into pieces. Add cranberries, raisins or dried fruit now and then store in an airtight container.

Notes:

I also substituted Hodgson Mill Multi Grain Hot Cereal instead of Wheat Germ. The Wheat Germ is very pricey. I got the Hodgson Mills for $1.99 a box and it had wheat germ, flax seed and whole grain wheat bran. So until I can buy the wheat germ in bulk this is what i will be using.

https://www.mommyskitchen.net/2010/02/super-easy-homemade-granola.html

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