Breakfast is my favorite meal of the day. It might be because I’m usually really hungry when breakfast time comes but it also has a bit to do with the food choices. A favorite from-scratch breakfast food from my childhood is homemade granola. My mom has been making it since the year my brother was born, so I guess it makes her a legitimate ‘granola’ mom. Now I make it for my home. This granola is hearty and sticks with you through the morning. I love it on yogurt, I love it mixed with melted peanut butter but I love it best plain, in a mug, with milk. The worst part about this recipe is how fast it disappears.
I love making food from scratch because I know exactly what I’m putting into it. I know what I’m eating and feeding my children. Every ingredient in this granola is a real food item and real ingredients make better food.
This recipe can be tweaked and adjusted. The ingredient options are listed below and you can make it just the way you like it. Nuts, no nuts, coconut, dried fruit, real juice flavor, it’s all up to you. I also included my version too, just in case you wanted to know. But like you, I can change it up each time I make it. The good thing is, it’s all good.
Recipe from Make Your Own Convenience Foods Cookbook
Ingredients
- 7 cups rolled oats
- 1/2 cup slivered almonds, or any nut – pecans, walnuts, etc or skip
- 1/2 cup raw sunflower seeds, optional
- 1/2 cup unsweetened coconut, optional
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1/2 cup apple juice, or any 100% juice
- 1/2 cup canola oil
- 2 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp liquid lecithin*, optional
- dried fruit, optional
- 7 cups rolled oats
- 1 1/2 cups slivered almonds
- 1/2 cup chopped pecans
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1/2 cup apple juice
- 1/2 cup canola oil
- 2 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine the rolled oats, nuts and optional add ins, if any.
- In a glass measuring cup, combine honey, juice, canola oil, vanilla extract and cinnamon (and optional lecithin).
- Heat in the microwave until just boiling. Watch carefully! Allowing it to boil too long can cause it to overflow.
- When liquid mixture starts to boil, remove it from the microwave and pour it over the dry mixture while quickly and thoroughly combining them.
- Spread the combined mix on a large shallow roasting pan or 2 large cookie sheets with sides.
- Bake at 250F. The recipe should take about an hour to bake depending how thinly the mix is spread. You'l know it's done with the mix stops releasing steam. Stir often with a spatula to prevent burning.
- After baking, add dried fruit if you desire.
- Store in a container to keep the mix fresh.
- Vary this recipe any way you wish.
Notes
*Lecithin is an emulsifier, something that helps oil and non-oils combine. It's not vital for the outcome of this recipe but might help in making the liquid mix smoother.
This is one of those foods that’s always on my list to try, but I haven’t done it yet. If you haven’t seen it already, another cookbook you might like is The Homemade Pantry.
I think you will like this one and it’s really easy!
This looks so tasty! I’ve tried making granola before but haven’t found a recipe that I love… yours is a bit different with the apple juice, so maybe it will be the one!
We sure love it. Hope it works for you!
I always have home made granola on hand.. so this recipe is perfect for me. Interesting to add apple juice in it – I never have done so before and must try it!
I love some homemade granola! Brilliant recipe as always.
I eat it every day.