.png)
The Best Homemade Granola
Simple. Delicious. Goodness.
Crunchy
Sweet
Salty
Chewy
One of my favorite snacks to quickly whip up is granola. It takes no time at all to throw the ingredients together, mix it up, and pop it in the oven. The baking time is so short as well that you can have this amazing and healthy snack in about 15 minutes!
The ingredients are super simple, ones you probably already have on hand, and you can use this on its own or add to yogurts or smoothies and make a delicious parfait or smoothie bowl.
Simple Ingredients
Old Fashioned Oats
Coconut Flakes
Honey
Coconut Oil
Cinnamon
Homemade Granola
Granola can be a snack, a breakfast, added to yogurts or smoothies to make a parfait. "Granula" was first invented in New York, as little flour nuggets made with bran, dating all the way back to the 1800s by a Dr. James Jackson. Since then, Dr. John Kellog made his version called "granola" after a legal dispute about the name.
It then grew in its popularity in the 1960's when ones wanted more of an organic breakfast as opposed to the sugary cereals being mass-produced. I mean I can completely understand that! Have you seen the sugar content in foods labeled as breakfast items?
Since then, we have been using granola is so many different ways, as bars, snacks, breakfasts you name it!
One of the great things about this particular granola recipe, is how versatile it is along with the sugar content. Most granola recipes are very adaptable to adding any ingredients or amounts, but this one has just the right amount of sweetness from the honey, and the basic ingredients we use is just a base for this granola. You can add a variety of nuts, seeds, dried fruits if you desire! I love just the simple chocolate and coconut since that combination alone is perfection! You can add these other ingredients at the second time placing in the over, after you've given everything an even toss, since we don't want to burn any of the nuts or seeds.
CHANGE IT UP
My recipe calls for simple and basic ingredients, ones you most likely already have sitting in your pantry. The basic old-fashioned oats, dried coconut flakes, some spices, chocolate chips, along with honey and coconut oil. The recipe can be changed or altered in so many different ways. You can add raisins - one of my favorite additions besides chocolate chips, dried fruits, nuts and you can also change the sweetener from honey to maple syrup.
Some nut choices that works well would be sliced almond, diced walnuts or chopped pecans. For seeds, there are also many options available such as pumpkin, sunflower, hemp, flax, chia and even sesame seeds.
While raisins are my preference for a dried fruit, cranberries are also an amazing addition adding a tinge of tangy background flavor. Other dried fruits you can use are dired berries like blueberries, cherries and goji berries. You can also add things like dried chopped apples, apricots and for a tropical vibe you can add fruit such as dried pineapples and mangos!
Making your own homemade granola is a wonderful thing for so many reasons. The simplicity and versatility of creating your own granola leads to a healthier and cheaper product, and you can change things up to your desired taste but adjusting ingredients and sweetness.
​
1. Preheat oven to 400 F
​
2. In a bowl mix together your oats, coconut flakes, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt.
​
3. Add in your coconut oil and honey.
​
4. Mix all ingredients so oats are well coated with oil and honey.
​
5. Lay oats on lined baking tray and spread to an even layer.
​
6. Bake at 400 F for 7 to10 minutes. (Check at 7-minute mark to make sure its lightly toasted)
​
7. Remove from oven and carefully toss so each side gets a nice toast.
​
8. Place back into the oven for another 5 minutes.
​
9. Sprinkle chocolate chips over top of baked oats and leave to sit. You can also add raisins at this point.
​
10. Enjoy!
​
​
​
​
