We have been in some breakfast ruts around here lately. It’s so easy to get there, don’t you think? Let’s get that breakfast joy back with some delicious granola. From the moment I created this recipe a few years ago, it is become one of my favorites. I love eating this homemade granola dry by the handful as snack and I adore it in a bowl with some milk and fresh fruit as granola cereal.
Eating Granola
While I am most often found eating granola by the handful in the quiet of my pantry, there are so many great ways to enjoy this recipe.
Old Fashioned Oats: Make sure you buy old fashioned oats not quick cooking, read more on this below. Honey: Not only does this bring some sweetness to the recipes, it also helps hold the granola together. Vegetable Oil: This is what helps crisp up the granola as it bakes and gives it that great crunch. See the note in the recipe card about lessening the oil. I haven’t tried this with other oils, but given the low cooking temperature here, they should work fine. Nuts: These help add protein to the granola and you can use so many different varieties. I prefer pecans or almonds. If you are serving someone with a nut allergy, consider swapping these to seeds like pumpkin or sunflower. Dried Fruit: Add this after baking. Raisins, dried cranberries, and dried pineapple are all great choices! Seasonings: For added flavor, I like to add cinnamon and vanilla extract. You could try other great flavor combinations though, like a little less cinnamon mixed with a pinch of ginger and allspice! Or swapping the vanilla for almond extract.
Swap the honey. You can replace the honey with agave nectar or maple syrup. Reduce or swap the oil. Instead of vegetable oil, you can use grape seed or coconut oil. Again see the note in the recipe card about cutting back on the oil. Swap out the pecans for other nuts. Use the one you like the most! Peanuts, cashews, pistachios, and walnut slices all are great options for granola. Trade out half the nuts for seeds. I like adding pumpkin seeds or sunflower seeds to my granola. Replace the dried cranberries. Any dried fruit would be fantastic in this. Raisins, dried pineapple, dried cherries, and dried apricots would all be delicious. Add in some chocolate. Leave out half of the fruit and after the granola has completely cooled, throw in half a cup of mini chocolate chips for an extra special granola.
Over yogurt: A small handful of granola over yogurt makes for a great breakfast. Parfaits: Typically layers of granola, yogurt, and fresh fruit, these are a great way to start the day. Smoothie Bowl: Just what it sounds like, a smoothie bowl is a smoothie served in a bowl often topped with fresh fruit and enjoyed with a pop of granola. With milk: The most common way to enjoy this great recipe, it makes for an easy breakfast.
This granola recipe is also great for freezing. I suggest freezing it in single servings so that you can pull out just the amount you plan on eating. Store it in plastic bags, squeezing out as much air as you can, and allow it to thaw on the counter top overnight before eating.
