Homemade Granola

Homemade granola is a cinch to make. One trip to your favorite organic market and you're good to go. Simply chop a few nuts, measure everything into a bowl, mix it, bake it and you’re done. But I should probably warn you: once you try it, you'll turn your nose up at the boxed stuff...you’ll become a granola snob.

Homemade granola doesn’t just taste great; it packs a hefty nutritional punch. It’s chock-full of protein-rich nuts and seeds, and this version even has wheat germ, a concentrated source of several essential nutrients and fiber. Add to that crispy clusters of old-fashioned oats, dried fruits, toasted coconut and golden honey and you’ve got a delicious, all-natural power food.

 

The original recipe comes all the way from The Inn at Occidental in Sonoma County, CA. My friend, Erica, stayed there years ago and brought home the recipe. Feel free to play with the ingredients… you can substitute any nuts, seeds or dried fruits that you like.

 
  
Sprinkled over vanilla yogurt sweetened with honey…breakfast, anyone?

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Homemade Granola
inspired by The Inn at Occidental
Printable Recipe

Makes about 9-10 cups

Ingredients

2 ½ cups old-fashioned rolled oats
½ cup sliced unsalted almonds
½ cup coarsely chopped unsalted pecans
½ cup coarsely chopped unsalted walnuts
½ cup unsalted sunflower seeds
2 tablespoons sesame seeds
½ cup toasted wheat germ (available at organic markets, such as Whole Foods)
1 cup shredded sweetened coconut
½ teaspoon cinnamon
⅛ teaspoon salt
½ cup vegetable oil, such as safflower or canola
½ cup plus 2 tablespoons honey
1 cup dried fruits (such as cranberries, raisins, cherries, chopped apricots, currants, etc.)

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Line a 13 x 18-inch rimmed baking sheet with heavy duty aluminum foil.

2. Combine oats, almonds, pecans, walnuts, sunflower seeds, sesame seeds, wheat germ, coconut, cinnamon and salt in a large bowl and mix.

3. In a small bowl, whisk honey and oil together until combined. Pour over dry ingredients and mix well. Spread mixture evenly onto prepared baking sheet and bake for about 25 - 30 minutes, stirring and re-spreading a few times with a spatula, until entire mixture is medium golden brown. Watch carefully towards the end…it burns quickly (and will brown first in the corners and on the bottom).

4. Transfer the granola to another baking sheet or heatproof surface to stop the cooking process (simply lift the granola off the baking sheet using the aluminum foil overhang). Toss granola with a spatula and mix in dried fruits. Spread and press into an even layer, then let cool to room temperature. Break into clusters and store in an airtight container (I like it best cold so I keep it in the fridge).

Comments

[Wendy]

This recipe looks fabulous! My family loves Vanilla-Flavored Granola (Bare Naked is what we currently buy). If I wanted to give this a vanilla flavor, would I simply just add vanilla before baking and if so, how much do you recommend? Thanks!

[the domestic mama]

ooo... what a great gift! Looks yummy!

[Jenn]

Wendy - A teaspoon of vanilla added to the honey and oil mixture should do the trick. Enjoy!

[Tashu]

I really enjoyed this granola recipe. Thanks. What can I do to make it more "clumpy?"

[Jenn]

Tashu - the key to keeping it clumpy is to mix in the dried fruits while it's still warm, then press it into an even layer to cool completely. Once it's cool, break off big chunks. The less you handle it, the better.