I’m so excited I made this awesome granola, that tastes even better than the store-bought stuff. Crunchy, sweet, and heart-healthy granola for snacking all by itself or eating as a bowl of cereal. Do you buy lots of granola? We do, and it can be really expensive and we eat tons of granola each year. I’ve tried making my own granola a few years ago but it was a big disappointment, but I didn’t give up until I found a GREAT recipe, then made it my own. I adapted my recipe from Rebecca Rather and her cookbook The Pastry Queen.
Homemade Granola
8 cups rolled oats
1 cup sweetened coconut flakes
1 cup of flax meal {optional}
1 cup sliced almonds or whole raw almonds chopped or your favorite nut.
3/4 cup coconut oil or safflower oil or canola
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup honey
1/2 tsp. salt
1 T. vanilla
{Optional} 1 cup of dried fruit of your choice such as raisins, blueberries, cranberries, or banana chips.
Directions:
Step 1: Preheat oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit. Measure the oats, coconut, nuts, flax meal, and put in a large mixing bowl and stir well.
Step 2: In a medium saucepan heat the coconut oil, brown sugar, honey, and salt on medium stirring until the sugar dissolves. Then add the vanilla and stir well.
Step 3: Pour the sugar mixture over the oats and stir well until combined.
Step 4: Spray 2 12 X 17-inch pans with cooking spray then half the oat mixture between the two pans. Spread the oats out evenly. Bake for about 20 min. stirring at least twice while the granola bakes, it should be a golden brown color. Cool completely, then add the dried fruit if using and store in an airtight container for up to 3 weeks.
Warning: This granola is highly addictive, so proceed with caution :), but please proceed you won’t regret it.
I just love homemade granola, and usually have a stock of it at home… Would love to try your recipe next time! And I just find the addition of banana chips so interesting! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Thanks Marsha, it’s pretty good hope you give it a go!
This granola looks both delicious and healthy 😀
Great photos!
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
Looks delicious – I love homemade granola. It’s so yummy and versatile.
Looks wonderful Suzanne, I love the banana chips, great idea! Beautiful pictures too – they make me want to grab a handful!
I love homemade granola! Your’s looks so beautiful. I make granola at home all the time and have always been tempted to put in banana chips, and now I feel like I’ll definitely have to do that.
Here’s the last few (fat free) granolas I’ve made:
Cinnamon Raisin: http://www.treatswithatwist.com/2012/02/super-healthy-cinnamon-raisin-granola.html
Rich Chocolate: http://www.treatswithatwist.com/2012/01/rich-chocolate-healthy-granola.html
Pumpkin Delight: http://www.treatswithatwist.com/2012/03/pumpkin-delight-granola.html
Have a great afternoon!
I love homemade granola, and they are so much healthier that store bought!!! Beautiful photos!
Mmm, those banana slices have me sold 🙂 Looks delicious!
I have never made my own granola, but this looks great! I am going to have to break down and try it some time soon!
have not tried making my own granola yet…but that should be granola, right?? sorry, i have a cheesy sense of humour!
We go through a LOT of granola at our house, so I can’t believe I haven’t made my own yet. This is a must try.
Hi Suzanne!! That’s a really awesome idea! When I saw those banana chips and read that you had coconut in there, my mouth started to water. Banana and coconut makes an awfully great combination!
Your granola looks fantastic Suzanne! I’m glad you finally found a good recipe. I am loving those banana chips – enticing!
Your granola looks amazing Suzanne. I’m not much of a breakfast cereal person, but I could definitely go a bowl of this.
I used to eat pounds of granola in college. We’d fill bags full in the dining hall and live on it until the next meal. Of course that granola never looked as good as yours. Love the banana chips in it. That said, thanks so much for your sweet thoughts regarding my Father xo
I am looking for awesome ways to make my family meals healthier. This looks good I can’t wait to try it.