Easy and Healthy Homemade Granola

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Breakfast is one of my most loved meals of the day and especially when I already have a delicious make-ahead meal that takes the stress out of busy mornings. When it comes to healthy breakfast ideas, Healthy Banana Oats Muffins , Blueberry Chia Seed Pudding and Healthy Morning Glory Muffins are a few of my favourites.

Granola is a popular breakfast cereal that is loaded with the goodness of rolled oats, seeds and has a generous amount of pecans, almonds, cranberries, and other dried fruits. You will probably find the cereal aisles of the grocery stores with an overwhelming selection of granola in assorted flavors vying for your attention. But unfortunately, most of the brands are loaded with refined sugars, turning the healthy breakfast into something resembling a dessert.

Easy and Healthy Homemade Granola
Hence, I switched to making granola at home, where I have control over all the ingredients and their proportions. And, I’ve been hooked ever since. Also, it is much cheaper than the store-bought version.

Homemade Granola is a lot healthier as it is made with whole grains, unrefined oil, and naturally sweetened with honey. It is a great way to brighten up your mornings or get you through that 3 pm slump.

Easy and Healthy Homemade Granola
It is gluten-free, refined sugar-free, dairy-free, and easy to customize with whatever ingredients you love most.

You can sprinkle it over yogurt, layer it into parfaits, eat it like cereal with a splash of milk or enjoy it on its own as a healthy snack. However you choose to eat, it is downright delicious and addictive!

Easy and Healthy Homemade Granola

Some Extra Tips
  • Keep an eye on your granola especially at the very end. It only takes minutes from being done to being burnt, and keep stirring it every 7-8 minutes during baking so that even the bottom pieces bake evenly.
  • Make sure you coat all the granola in olive oil and honey/maple syrup so that every bite is perfectly crunchy and sweet.
  • The granola should look slightly golden brown when it comes out of the oven. It will further crisp up as it cools.
  • Whatever dried fruits you use, make sure you stir them into the granola after it has cooled down completely.

If you make this recipe, I would love to know how it turned out! Please let me know by leaving a comment below.



Easy and Healthy Homemade Granola Easy and Healthy Homemade Granola
Author: Happily Cooking
Preparation Time:
Cooking Time:
Yields: 8 cups
Calories per serving: 314cal




Ingredients:
  • 4 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
  • 1/2 cup pecans
  • 1/2 cup almonds
  • 1/2 cup pumpkin seeds
  • 3/4 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ½ cup olive oil
  • ½ cup maple syrup or honey
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ⅔ cup dried cranberries

Instructions:
  1. Preheat oven to 160 degrees Celsius and line a large, rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the oats, the pecans, almonds, the pumpkin seeds, salt and cinnamon. Stir to blend.
  3. Pour in the oil, maple syrup/honey and the vanilla extract. Mix until everything is well coated.
  4. Spread the mixture evenly on the prepared baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
  5. Bake for 20-21 minutes, stirring every 7-8 minutes, until golden brown.
  6. Remove from the oven and let the granola cool down completely. The granola will further crisp up as it cools.
  7. Once the granola has cooled, stir in the dried cranberries.
  8. Transfer it to an airtight container and store it for up to 2 weeks at room temperature.

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