We've been wanting to write about the wonders of homemade granola for a while now. There is a place in Seattle called Tall Grass Bakery, where they make the most amazing bread...and granola. Granola with whole almonds and big flakes of chewy coconut and seeds and lots of other stuff thrown in.
Sadly, it's not often that we feel like we can dish out $8 for a bag of cereal. So we've learned to make our own.
It is far cheaper than what you can buy at Tall Grass, or any store, and it will ruin you for boxed cereals. The dimensions of flavor when you make your own granola is explosive. And the effort involved? About 10 minutes of hands-on time and 20 minutes in the oven.
(Also, a shout out to The Kitchen Sink Recipes, who reminded us what it takes to make a good granola.)
Here's what you need and how you do it
3-1/2 cups old fashioned oats
1 cup whole almonds, unsalted
1 cup coconut, unsweetened (optional)
3 Tablespoons flax seeds, sesame seeds or sunflower seeds
1 cup dried fruit (optional)
1 teaspoons sea salt
1/4 cup brown sugar or honey
1/4 cup canola oil
1 Tablespoon vanilla
1 Tablespoon cinnamon
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix all ingredients in a large bowl. Spread onto cookie sheet with edges or large baking dish.
Bake for 10 minutes. Stir. Bake for 10 more minutes. Serve with yogurt or cold milk. Also great by the handful.
Oh, thank you THANK YOU thank you!!! I had lost my good recipe for homemade granola, and I know my dh will love this one! :)
Posted by: kcinnova | April 11, 2009 at 08:48 AM
Quick question: Should I grease the pan at all before spreading the granola and baking it?
Posted by: kcinnova | April 11, 2009 at 08:49 AM
I didn't and it came out fine. I think the canola gives it enough fat so you don't have to. That said, I'm sure it wouldn't hurt to do it.
How's that for diplomatic. ;)
Posted by: Half Assed Kitchen | April 11, 2009 at 09:37 AM
This sounds great! I am going to make this tonight, I have everything I need! Thanks for sharing!
Posted by: Michelle Nichols | April 11, 2009 at 04:09 PM
I love granola, especially homemade! Thanks for sharing..will try soon!
Posted by: darlene | April 11, 2009 at 04:42 PM
Homemade granola is the BEST. One of my best memories from childhood...
Posted by: Nora | April 11, 2009 at 09:22 PM
Now... do you know how to make this into granola bars? (Just thinking I'd like something easy to throw in kids lunchboxes...)
Thanks for the recipe! I'm going to try it this weekend.
Posted by: Caroline | April 16, 2009 at 12:37 PM
just made this recipe. it's delicious. hope it actually makes it into a cereal bowl and doesn't get eaten by the handfuls first!
Posted by: papergirl | May 04, 2009 at 10:07 AM
I am really excited to make some granola to complimet the homemade yogurt I made for the first time yesterday.
Posted by: LazerClaire | October 10, 2009 at 01:38 PM
Store bought cereal was starting get pretty pricey as my boyfriend is granola vacuum. I decided it was finally time to make my own and stumbled upon this recipe.
Wow. I can't believe how easy and amazing this was to make. You're right, I won't go back to boxed cereal again!
Few adjustments I made were I used olive oil instead of canola to make it a little healthier. I also added the dried fruit after it was cooked to keep the texture a little nicer.
I also noticed that after I took it out of the oven and left it in the baking dish for 10 minutes it browned and dried evenly and perfectly.
Posted by: Denise | October 18, 2009 at 11:16 AM
I have tried many granola recipes since this was posted but continue to return to this as it is my absolute fav. Good with dried cranberries, dried chopped apricots, coconut and sesame seeds...I learned after my first very burnt batch to add fruit to the granola AFTER it's been baked! Anyways, thanks again, from a big fan!
Posted by: Claire | May 20, 2013 at 08:55 AM