Homemade Granola

This recipe is a family favourite. My Mom would make this granola for our family growing up and I have continued to do so through my adult life. It’s a great weekday breakfast that can be prepared over the weekend and enjoyed for weeks to come.

It’s a very versatile recipe as you can add whatever extras your heart desires. My standard combination of add-ins are pecans and raisins, but another nice combination is dried apricots and sliced almonds with maple syrup instead of honey. This is a forgiving recipe so get creative.

HOMEMADE GRANOLA

Prep Time: 15 min.

Cook Time: 1 – 1½ hours

Makes: 20 Cups

Ingredients

14 cups rolled oats (the large flaked ones)
2 cups wheat germ
1 cup sesame seeds
1 cup sunflower seeds

1 cups milk
1½ cups honey
1 cup oil
1 tsp. salt
1 Tbsp vanilla
1 Tbsp cinnamon

Optional Add-ins

1 cup pumpkin seeds
1 cup pecans
1 cup almond slices
2 cups dried fruits – raisins, apricots, currents (added in last 20 min. of cooking)

Instructions

Mix together dry ingredients in a large bowl (first 4 ingredients). If you’re adding in other nuts or seeds, add them now.
Combine milk through cinnamon in a microwave safe bowl. Microwave on high for 2 minutes.
Pour wet ingredients over dry in a large bowl and mix until evenly coated and combined.
Spread mixture in one or two trays and put in the oven at 300°F for about an hour or hour and a half until it reaches your desired crispiness.
While cooking, stir the granola every 20 minutes or so to ensure it’s getting cooked evenly.
In the last 10-20 minutes of cooking (when you think it looks close to done), add in the raisins or any dried fruit you want.
Remove from oven to cool then store in an airtight container at room temperature. Enjoy with milk or yogurt for an easy breakfast or stack.

Hannah’s Hints:

Step 3: Mixing might require using two bowls if you don’t have one bowl big enough for all the granola.

Step 4: I like to use a turkey tray to spread my granola in as it is deep but has lots of surface area to dry out the granola. If you don’t have a turkey tray, just use two of your biggest trays, but try and pick ones with a bit of a lip so your granola doesn’t spill everywhere.