Basic Homemade Granola
This basic homemade granola recipe is only 5 ingredients and is quick and easy to make. The combination of coconut oil, maple syrup, brown sugar and oats is so good! The house also smells amazing while it bakes in the oven, which is a bonus!
This recipe is perfect for our children because they don’t like anything added to their granola. Adding other ingredients are optional but I like to keep it simple or they won’t eat it.
The school is also nut free so I try to make as many recipes as I can without any nuts. I save the peanut butter snacks for after school!
Alterations
- Use honey instead of maple syrup for a different flavor
- Vegetable oil instead of coconut oil.
- Light or dark brown sugar
- You can also add chocolate chips once it has completely cooled
- The addition of nuts and dried fruit is also great, but do not add the dried fruit until after the granola has baked and cooled
Why you will love this basic homemade granola.
You will love this recipe because of its simplicity. It’s made with basic ingredients, it’s cheaper to make than to buy, it has no weird additives and it is a great source of vitamins and minerals.
What do you eat granola with?
There are so many ways to eat granola!
- Eat it like cereal with milk
- On top of some yogurt
- Topping to a smoothie bowl
- An ice cream topping
- Add it to a trail mix
- A topping to cottage cheese
- In yogurt parfaits
- Topping to banana splits
- You can even eat it on its own as a snack!
Ingredients
- Oats- You can use quick oats or rolled oats. I like to use a combination of both with 3 cups each. This time I used only quick oats
- Brown sugar- You can use light or dark brown sugar, I usually use dark brown sugar in this recipe
- Maple syrup or honey- I prefer maple syrup but either works just as well
- Coconut oil or vegetable oil- I use coconut oil but vegetable oil works just as good
- Vanilla extract- Pure is better but artificial is fine as well
- Salt- Enhances the flavor
- Optional- add nuts, seeds, dried fruit, chocolate chips, cinnamon or white chocolate chips. Make sure not to add dried fruit or chocolate until after it is baked and completely cooled.
How do you make basic homemade granola?
- Pre-heat your oven to 250 degrees and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside. Add oats to a large bowl and set aside.
- Add the brown sugar, maple syrup, salt and coconut oil to a small pot. Place it on the stove on medium heat. Once it starts to come to a boil, boil for 30 seconds then remove it from the heat.
- Allow it so sit for about 1 minute then stir in the vanilla extract.
- Pour it over the oats and mix until the oats are fully coated. If you want, you can add about a cup of chopped nuts now.
- Place the oats onto the baking sheet and spread out evenly in the pan.
- Bake for one hour, making sure to mix it around every 15 minutes.
- Remove from the oven once lightly golden and smells toasted. It will harden as it cools.
- Add pan to cooling rack to cool completely before storing and adding dried fruits or chocolate chips if you’re adding those.
How do you know when the granola is done?
You will know the granola is finished baking when it is lightly golden and has a toasted smell to it. It will harden up as it cools.
How do you store granola?
Store the granola in an air tight container at room temperature for up to 4 weeks. Do not store the granola until it has completely cooled.
Basic Homemade Granola
Ingredients
- 6 cups quick oats or rolled oats, can also be a combination of both
- 1/4-1/2 cup dark or light brown sugar packed
- 1/2 cup pure maple syrup or honey
- 1/4 cup coconut oil or vegetable oil
- 1/4-1/2 tsp. salt
- 1 tsp. vanilla extract
- 3/4 tsp. cinnamon optional
- *optional nuts, dried fruit, chocolate chips,
Instructions
- Pre-heat your oven to 250 degrees and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper and set it aside.
- Add oats to a large bowl and set them aside.
- Add the brown sugar, maple syrup, salt and coconut oil to a small pot as well as the cinnamon if you're adding it. Place it on the stove on medium heat. Once it starts to come to a boil, boil for 30 seconds then remove it from the heat. Allow it to sit for 1 minute then add in the vanilla extract. Mix.
- Pour wet mixture over the oats and mix until the oats are fully coated. If you want, you can add about a cup of chopped nuts now and mix well.
- Place the oats onto the baking sheet and spread out evenly in the pan. Place in the oven and bake for 1 hour, making sure to mix the granola every 15 minutes.
- Remove from the oven once lightly golden. It will harden as it cools.
- Place pan on cooling rack and cool completely before storing and adding any dried fruits or chocolate chips
Notes
