Homemade granola…easy, addictive, affordable!

For years I’ve had a love affair with granola…so crunchy, so sweet, so GOOD. It’s one of the best breakfast cereals out there, in my opinion. Unfortunately, it’s also one of the most expensive cereals on the market. Usually close to $4.00 or more for a fairly small box. I discovered how to make homemade granola when my oldest daughter was very young, and haven’t looked back since! Now it’s one of our frugal breakfast choices…not to mention healthy, since I control what goes into it. With this quick and easy recipe for granola, you’ll have a healthy breakfast or snack in no time at all.

DSC06523

Granola

1/2 cup honey or pure maple syrup
1 stick butter or 1/2 cup coconut oil
1 tsp pure vanilla (or cinnamon…or both)
1/2 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
4 cups organic rolled oats

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Melt butter in a saucepan on the stove and stir in honey. Add 1 tsp of cinnamon or 1 tsp vanilla. Add in 1/2 cup coconut. Stir in 4 cups old fashioned, rolled oats (I use organic). Spread on greased cookie sheet and bake for about 10-15 min (until light golden brown).

After you remove granola from the oven, set the cookie sheet on a cooling rack and cool for EXACTLY 20 minutes! Any longer and it sticks, any shorter and it doesn’t clump together at all. Scrape from the bottom with a spatula in long strokes to aid in clumping and store in a Ziploc or canning jar in the fridge. This recipe lasts our family anywhere from 4-7 days, but will keep longer.

OPTIONAL: You can add nuts or seeds to your granola. We usually don’t, but if you do then add them in the saucepan before baking. Any other dried fruit would be added after when adding the raisins. For peanut butter granola (my husband’s favorite) just substitute 1/2 cup peanut butter for the 1 stick butter.

Granola 4 picture SECOND

IN A RUSH: Granola skillet method ~

Melt 1-2 Tbsp butter or coconut oil in skillet.
Pour in equal amount of sweetener.
Add in a small bit coconut.
Enough oats to coat well.

Stir around at the 2 – 3 setting on stove, but don’t leave it unattended. After about 5 min, spoon onto flat plate and press down firmly. The thinner you spread, it the faster it clumps and cools. Stick it in the FREEZER and check in about 5-12 minutes later. Break it up in clumps and and it’s ready to eat!

Granola 5 picture collage THIRD

Granola is such a frugal and filling meal for kids. We eat it as a cereal with milk or with yogurt as a yogurt berry parfait. Even my preschooler loves granola, and she also ate plenty of it when she was a toddler. Do you make homemade granola, and if so what varieties are your favorites?

This recipe is linked up with Hearth and Soul Hop, Totally Tasty Tuesday, Tasty Tuesday, Delectable Tuesday, Tuesdays at the Table, Slightly Indulgent Tuesday, Tempt my Tummy Tuesday, What’s for Dinner Wednesday, What’s Cooking WednesdayWorks for Me Wednesday, Real Food Wednesday, What’s on the Menu Wednesday, Frugal Food Thursday, Taking a Stroll Thursday, Simple Lives Thursday, Thrilling Thursday, It’s a Keeper Thursday, Friday Favorites, Friday PotluckFresh Clean & Pure Friday, Friday Firsts, Boost my Blog Friday, Fight Back Friday, Food Trip Friday, Family Friendly Friday, Mouthwatering Monday, Homemaker Monday, Made by You Monday, My Meatless Monday, Monday Mania, Saturday SwapStar Recipes Collection.

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42 Responses to Homemade granola…easy, addictive, affordable!

  1. Anne @ Quick and Easy Cheap and Healthy says:

    I like this easy version – I make granola bars with a very similar recipe, but this has fewer ingredients and would be great for breakfasts.

  2. withoutadornment says:

    This brings back so many good memories of making granola with my siblings growing up. I'm going to have to try this sometime!

  3. 21st Century Housewife© says:

    Oh, that sounds lovely! And it looks so yummy with those blackberries!

  4. Erin @ EKat's Kitchen says:

    Those berries are making me drool! What a tasty recipe for granola — I love homemade granola but have never made my own! How weird is that!? Great photos.

    I'm hosting a CSN giveaway at http://www.EKatsKitchen.com and would love if you enter!

  5. Alea says:

    This looks wonderful! I wish I could climb through the screen and grab a bite. 🙂 Add ing this to "to try" list.

  6. SnoWhite says:

    I do love a great granola — like that this one is nut-free too 🙂 Thanks.

  7. Jenny says:

    I love homemade granola over yogurt for breakfast!

  8. Butterpoweredbike says:

    I have the sweetest memories of my mom making granola for me as a kid, the way it smelled in the oven as it was toasting, and the way it tasted, especially during camping trips. It's so easy to make at home, too. Thanks for sharing with this gem with the Hearth and Soul hop.

    p.s. Love the pics, with all the blues 🙂

  9. Amber says:

    I love love granola! I just kinda wing it, stir some honey and things into some oats and bake it til it looks done enough. I should probably actually use a recipe. ;0)

  10. Miriam says:

    My sister and I are looking at this recipe drooling right now :), looks fabulous!!! Miriam@Meatless Meals For Meat Eaters

  11. Design It Chic says:

    Those berries look so appealing right about now:) hi hi oh and thanks for the easy version of the granola.. who doesn't love fast, right?:P I am now following you thanks to Friendly Friday, and it would be so nice if you could share the love back on my blog;)
    Also today we have the coolest blog hop there is… no rules just fun and would love you to join in with us at Boost My Blog Friday, where you can meet lots of friends and have a great time:) See you there!
    Happy Friday

  12. Heavenly Savings says:

    Cute Blog! I’m a new follower Happy Friday!! I would love for you to stop and take a look at my blog as well! Thanks!
    http://heavenlysavings.blogspot.com

  13. J L Health 918-836-0565 says:

    It has been waaaay too long since I've had homemade granola…Thanks for this recipe! Btw I love those blackberries you've got in the picture.

    Thanks for sharing at the hearth and soul hop.

  14. Karen Bannan says:

    I wonder if I could substitute sunflower butter for peanut butter? Sounds yummy! I'd probably add some flax seed, too.

  15. Christina says:

    I love how easy and versatile this recipe is! And I'm really jealous of your bright outdoors pictures and those plump blackberries! Our forecast calls for another blizzard. BOO.

  16. -Heidi says:

    This looks so good!!!

  17. eof777 says:

    Love the picture and the ease of using your recipe. TY! Stopped by to follow your blog from the FCP Friday blog hop… do comment/follow me back 🙂
    Have an abundant 2011! 🙂
    Best,
    Elizabeth
    Positive Kismet Blog

  18. Danielle says:

    This looks so delicious! I learned about homemade granola from my college roommate's mom, and the store-bought stuff has never had the same appeal since then! Have you ever tried sprouting/soaking your granola before baking? I'm looking for a recipe, but would like to incorporate soaking or sprouting of the grains. Thanks so much for sharing this delicious recipe!
    I found you through Simple Lives Thursday, by the way.
    http://mindofthemother.blogspot.com/

  19. Melissa says:

    Looks great! I make a similar recipe.

    I found you through Mouthwatering Monday 🙂

  20. The Lucky Wife says:

    This is a great recipe. I have wanted a good granola recipe for a while to try making my own.

    Found you at EKat's Kitchen Friday Potluck and would love for you to link this up in our Star Recipes Collection (for most popular recipes)! We also have a regular
    Make a Food-"e"-Friend Monday
    if you'd like to link up any of your other recipes there when you can (open through Wednesday).

  21. Lin Ann says:

    Those berries are beautiful! What a wonderfully easy healthy snack, breakfast, lunch . . .

  22. Amber says:

    Mmm, do your pictures make that look tasty! I'm sure it is, too!

  23. holliwithani says:

    Looks yummy and easy.
    Just found you via thehealthyhomeeconomist, and will be back for more!

  24. Christina @ It's a Keeper says:

    Wow! This looks amazing! Thanks for linking up to the It's a Keeper Thursday blog hop! Be sure to come back next week and link something new!

    Christina @ It's a Keeper
    http://www.everydaytastes.com/
    http://twitter.com/itsakeeperblog
    http://www.facebook.com/ItsAKeeper

  25. Christina @ It's a Keeper says:

    Hi! I'm featuring your recipe on It's a Keeper Thursday this week! I’d love if you stopped by and grabbed a button.

    And, feel free to link up another great recipe this week too!

    Cheers!
    Christina @ It's a Keeper
    http://www.everydaytastes.com/
    http://twitter.com/itsakeeperblog
    http://www.facebook.com/ItsAKeeper

  26. Carol @ There's Always Thyme to Cook says:

    Looks so good! I'd love the peanut butter version!

  27. musicalmary says:

    Yum!! Thanks for linking up!

  28. Cheerful says:

    looks mouthwatering, great photos too! thanks for sharing your recipe! happy Friday and happy cambodian new year! 🙂 –PinayMum – Mommy's Life Around…!

  29. Tetcha says:

    Healthy, yummy, and not so expensive! I love that! Here's my entry: http://www.delightmyappetite.com/2011/04/food-trip-friday-laing-in-2-ways/

  30. raya says:

    wow! i have always wanted to make one. thanks for sharing!

  31. Hazelicious929 says:

    Looks delectable! Yummy to the tummy! Mine is up – My FTF Entry

  32. [pinkc00kies] says:

    Yummy!! 😀

  33. Cookin' Canuck says:

    Those berries make me yearn for summer. There is nothing better than homemade granola.

  34. I love making my own homemade granola but I always forget to do it! Thanks for reminding me how good and easy it is.
    Lana @ Never Enough Thyme recently posted..Strawberry Lemon-Limeade

  35. I only recently starting making my own granola…why oh why did I not start sooner. I’m not kidding…I wake up and think of it!

    So easy, so good and yours looks especially wonderful with those berries. Dare I say it? YUM!
    Barbara | VinoLuciStyle recently posted..Dark Chocolate Brownies with Espresso- Toasted Walnuts and Salted Caramel Glaze

  36. Amy A. says:

    I love that you have a vegan option, too! I’m totally going to try this… soon. I may try the peanut butter version. Yum.

  37. Desiree says:

    I love to make granola too. I never thought of making the whole thing on the stove top. I like this recipe, it is a lighter granola with only 2 T of oil but it still has a lot of flavor .http://www.unconventionalkitchen.com/toasted-honey-granola

  38. Gretta says:

    The peanut butter version is going to make its way into my regular rotation. This recipe is perfect. You were right about the exactly twenty minutes I had to do two batches because I left it too long and could barely get it off the cookie sheet. It was still delicious but more of a hassle. The second batch went perfectly however and with a tall glass of milk and some vanilla yogurt made the perfect breakfast all week. Kudos!

  39. Chantelle says:

    Made the skillet version. Loved it. Will make again with different varieties! Thanks so much for a great recipe 🙂

  40. Serene says:

    I am a sucker from granola bars, that’s why my mother in law makes it a point to at least come up with different varieties. So far my favorite is the one with pistachio nuts, expensive but it’s totally worth it.
    Serene recently posted..About Us

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