Homemade Granola

We like using oats as a whole grain source in our diet. Oats are an exceptional source of essential vitamins and minerals as well as proven fighters against high cholesterol. Granola is a tasty, oat-rich cereal that can help add more oatmeal into your daily diet. We enjoy it sprinkled on a hot bowl of oatmeal, a dish of baked apples, or a bowl of fresh fruit and yogurt or eaten with milk like a cold cereal.

Commercial granola may have more fat and sugar than you want or need. Making your own granola is easy, and you get to control the ingredients. Here are three of our favorite variations. By the way, a small container of granola is a nice addition to a gift basket.

Basic Granola

4 cups rolled oats

1 tsp cinnamon, or more according to your taste

½ cup crushed pecans, or other nut of your choice

½ cup shredded coconut

½ cup honey       

½ cup butter

1 tsp vanilla (optional)

½ cup raisins

Preheat oven to 250°F. Measure oats, cinnamon, nuts, and coconut into a large bowl. Heat butter and honey together in a small saucepan over medium heat until mixture reaches a full rolling boil, stirring frequently. Remove from heat, and add vanilla. Carefully pour hot honey mixture over dry ingredients. Stir together until all of the oats are covered with the honey mixture.

Spread mixture onto a 15x10 cookie sheet (jelly roll pan) and bake at 250°F for 1 hour 15 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes. Yes, this is a bit time consuming, but it is worth it. The lower temperature and extra attention ensures a nice even color and crispness without burning. Stir in raisins while granola is still warm.

Allow granola to cool completely before storing in an airtight container or zipper-lock baggie.

Banana Nut Granola

3 cups rolled oats

1 cup crisp rice cereal

1 tsp cinnamon

¼ cup crushed pecans

¼ cup crushed walnuts

½ cup shredded coconut

½ cup honey       

½ cup butter

1 tsp vanilla

½ cup coarsely crushed dried banana chips

Preheat oven to 250°F. Measure oats, cereal, cinnamon, nuts, and coconut into a large bowl. Heat butter and honey together in a small saucepan over medium heat until mixture reaches a full rolling boil, stirring frequently. Remove from heat, and add vanilla. Carefully pour hot honey mixture over dry ingredients. Stir together until all of the oats are covered with the honey mixture.

Spread mixture onto a 15x10 cookie sheet (jelly roll pan) and bake at 250°F for 1 hour 15 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes. Stir in banana chips while granola is still warm.

Allow granola to cool completely before storing in an airtight container or zipper-lock baggie.

Tip: Food choppers can be inconsistent in their chopping, and instead of uniformly crushed ingredients, you’re often left with a mixture of chunks that are too big for your recipe and a pile of pulverized powder. Instead, place the nuts or dried banana chips in a heavy duty zipper-lock bag, seal the bag, and pound with a rolling pin to crush your ingredients.

Fancy Fruit and Nut Granola

4 cups rolled oats

1 ½ cup crisp rice cereal

1 tsp cinnamon

¼ cup crushed pecans

¼ cup crushed walnuts

¼ cup slivered almonds

½ cup shredded coconut

2/3 cup honey     

2/3 cup butter

1 tsp vanilla

¼ cup raisins, coarsely chopped

¼ cup dried cherries, coarsely chopped

¼ cup dried cranberries, coarsely chopped

¼ cup dried apples, coarsely chopped

Preheat oven to 250°F. Measure oats, cereal, cinnamon, nuts, and coconut into a large bowl. Heat butter and honey together in a small saucepan over medium heat until mixture reaches a full rolling boil, stirring frequently. Remove from heat, and add vanilla. Carefully pour hot honey mixture over dry ingredients. Stir together until all of the oats are covered with the honey mixture.

Spread mixture onto a 15x10 cookie sheet (jelly roll pan) and bake at 250°F for 1 hour 15 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes. Stir in dried fruits while granola is still warm.

Allow granola to cool completely before storing in an airtight container or zipper-lock baggie.

With its extra fruit and nuts, this granola makes a nice addition to gift baskets. Package in decorated paper lunch bags, zipper-lock storage bags, pint-sized canning jars, or Chinese take-out boxes. Don’t forget to add a tag with the name of the granola and serving suggestions.