Easy Crunchy Granola
I love making my own granola. Maybe I'm a control freak, but I like to know what's going into my body. And when the ingredients for a basic granola are most likely already in your pantry it's a simple and delicious task.
All you really need to do is stir the ingredients together and bake. So simple!
Here are some notes and tips:
- Lightly process the old-fashioned oats in a food processor so that you have a mix of whole oats and small bits. This helps the finished Granola to hold together once it is baked.
- Forming the sheet of granola in the baking pan is a more important step than you would think. If you want small pieces just pour the unbaked granola onto the sheet pan and spread for even cooking. If you like chunky granola you will need to press the granola firmly into the baking pan.
- The best way to press your unbaked granola is with another, same size baking pan. Cover the granola with a sheet of plastic wrap, then press the bottom of the second pan onto the covered granola. Press it as hard as you can, the more pressure the better.
- Mix the wet ingredients thoroughly before combining them with the oat mixture. It is important to get even distribution on all ingredients so every bit of granola is as flavorful as you intend.
- It’s easy to overcook Granola, so watch the edges for browning once it becomes fragrant.
- If you find this Granola recipe to be too sweet, dial back on the brown sugar first. The liquids serve a purpose in this recipe so be careful about reducing the honey/syrup portion.
- Feel free to add other whole grains like flax to this recipe! Small seeds like poppy, pumpkin and sunflower do well, too.
- You can stir in dried fruits like raisins, blueberries or dates (my fave!). These go in after the basic Granola has baked.
- To make the parfait as pictured, use plain Greek Yogurt. There is no need to get sweetened yogurt; the sweet fruit and the granola will shine through! Start with the granola at bottom, follow with fruit, then yogurt. Repeat if there is room. If you need it sweeter, a light drizzle of honey does the trick.
- I like to pour unsweetened Oat Milk over my parfait for some additional liquid.
- Let me know in the comments how you have made this Granola recipe your own!
Made from whole oats, this Granola is a great basic recipe. Make it your own with sunflower seeds, walnuts or dates.
- 1/4 cup Agave Syrup
- 1/3 cup Light Brown Sugar (tightly packed)
- 1/2 cup Canola Oil
- 2 tsp Vanilla Extract
- 5 cup Old Fashioned Oatmeal (lightly processed)
- 1/2 tsp Kosher Salt
- 2 cup Walnuts or Almonds (chopped)
- 2 cup Dried Fruit Bits (optional)
Preheat oven to 325° F. Prep a rimmed 1/2 size baking sheet by spraying the sides with nonstick spray, then lining with parchment paper. Do your mise en place with all ingredients. If desired, lightly process the oats to give you a combination of whole oats and broken pieces, about half and half. This will give you a finished product that holds together better than 100% whole oat grains.
- Measure oatmeal and salt into a large bowl.
In a medium bowl whisk Canola oil, Agave syrup, Brown sugar and Vanilla Extract together. Pour into a small saucepan and heat only until sugar melts.
Pour syrup mixture over Oatmeal. Add nuts now, if using. Mix thoroughly, every morsel needs to be moistened for best results.
Spread mixture evenly in prepared sheet pan and cover with plastic wrap. Press granola mixture firmly into the pan with another sheet pan or a heavy flat bottomed pan.
Remove plastic wrap before baking.- Bake until lightly browned, 30 - 45 minutes. Rotate pan at least once while baking.
- Remove granola from oven and let cool completely. Do not cover. The granola needs this cooling time to release steam and continue drying out. It will get crunchy as it cools.
Break cooled granola into large pieces and add dried fruit (optional).
Store finished granola in an airtight container.